Thread: Stropping After Shaving

I currently strop after I shave. Therefore, when I am ready to shave next it's ready to go, or is it? Am I losing something from the edge not stropping before shaving?
Thanks. H

there is lots of discussion of this. I strop lightly (7-8 cloth & 20 -25 leather round trips) after shaving to get any residual gunk off my edge, the again pre shave, 20 cloth, 60-100 leather usually.

I do about 10 on linen after I shave. Put the razor away, opened to dry (if needed).
I usually strop before I shave usually. but there have been times I might strop a razor a few days before I shave. Depends on how I feel. Always helps to keep ahead when you have a few razors in a rotation.

A million and one different opinions on this subject too.

Why not strop after *and* before? Stropping is fun and awesome, so you could double your fun and your awesomeness with this one simple addition.

James.

I strop before and after shaving. Before to get a better shave and after to make sure there is no moisture left on the edge. I don't run as many laps after as I do before but after all my blades are carbon steel . and I Like stropingl

I once took a razor out of the cabinet and shaved with it with out stropping first. The razor shaved great but the after shave burned. The next day I stropped the same razor and used the same after shave with no burn. I strop first now.

Originally Posted by hasstar

I currently strop after I shave. Therefore, when I am ready to shave next it's ready to go, or is it? Am I losing something from the edge not stropping before shaving?
Thanks. H

I strop before and after. I notice a difference when I don't.

Originally Posted by rhensley

I strop before and after shaving. Before to get a better shave and after to make sure there is no moisture left on the edge. I don't run as many laps after as I do before but after all my blades are carbon steel . and I Like stropingl

This is my routine. But you could easily strop after shaving only and be good to go the next day.
I would not do it because there might be a bit of tarnish to the edge if you store your razor in a damp place. A fresh stropping before the shave to my way of thinking might polish any minor tarnish from that blade and give me a freshly polished edge for my shave.
That is most likely over thinking things, but I am here to obsess.

I will give my razor 5 laps after I shave to make sure the edge is dry

I strop the night before so that my razor is ready to go in the morning when I might be rushed to get out the door for work. I lightly strop after my shave to dry the edge. I also enjoy stropping in the evening. I can take my time, and I find it relaxing. I also enjoy planning my morning shave the evening before, picking out which razor, soap, and aftershave I'll use the next morning. If I ever get to retire, I'll probably take my time and do it all in the morning.