Quote Originally Posted by Stubear View Post
When I got my first razor I stropped it before and after the shave, and I used it daily for about 5 months with no ill effect and no real degradation of the edge. It still shaved very well after 5 months, with no pulling or irritation.

When I got my next razor I realised that the first one had dulled slightly (I could tell the difference in sharpness), so I touched this one up on a high grit hone, and that brought it right back.

Many people on this forum strop after the shave as well as before it, and I've not read of anyone having problems with it.

In fact, the consensus is that stropping after the shave is actually beneficial as it cleans of the micro gunk thats on the edge. Personally I think stropping after the shave as well does help keep an edge for longer.

You can use a razor daily, as I did, with no problems if you look after it. The only snag will be if it dulls and you have to send it out to be honed, leaving you razorless!

I do 25 canvas and 50 - 60 leather before the shave, and then 10 canvas and 15 - 20 leather after the shave. Not caused any problems at all!
I'm quite new to this. I am curious on if one should strop before the shower and get out and lather up and shave immediately or get out of the shower and strop and then shave immediately.

The first shave I tried, I got out and stropped and it seemed awkward.

The next few I did the reverse and was more comfortable. I do think as a newbie I dulled the edge the first couple times while working on technique and even sliced into the leather a bit on day 1 and 3.