Thread: Resting between stropping (Not me, the razor).

I have just been reading the following advice which apparently came from the Dovo company:

"The strop should be used prior to shaving, and never- under any circumstance- after shaving. This is because after shaving the delicate cutting edge is kind of bent (not visible to the naked eye), and you would break tiny metal pieces out of the cutting edge. This would consequently lead to cuts in the skin. Many refer to this condition as a burr from misaligned micro-separations that occur when the razor is used, but will go back into position and become fine again after approx. 24 to 30 hours. Stropping just before use will further align the blade edge and put it in shave ready condition. In order to get the best daily shave with a straight razor DOVO even suggests an individual even consider having at least two straight razors on hand to fully allow time for the blade edge to rest between shaves for optimal performance."

Is this the case? I have read that some people strop after, and even during their shave; should they desist?

AD

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 think this is a barbers (wives) tale that came about from barbers shaving 20 to 30 guys a day using the same edge. I don't think it applies to the average user. Sounds like it might have been a good advertisement ploy back in the day though.

Shaving one face, with one razor, has worked daily for me for years. I even stopped rotating razors completely about 2 years ago.

Well, I shall take your words for that, especially as I have read a lot about stropping and that is the first time I've heard that one.
Thanks chaps,
AD

I am another before and after the shave stropper and it is the best way to do it IME. If it changes anything it is for the better.

me too - before and after. helps avoid black spots on the edge by getting the water off.

Ignore them. They make them, but the member's here are the obsessive users & are more likely to know what's best for a razor!
I strop before, & on the linen after. It ensures the edge is completely dry.

There is some truth in this in that 1) the edge will be deformed slightly by shaving and 2) it will tend to relax back to its original conture with time. These properties of steels are well know and well documented.

Whether stropping right after shaving will break off tiny bits of the deformed edge, however, is certainly open for debate. I would say it depends on how severe the deformation is.

I only strop before shaving, as I see no utility in stroping after.

People can get too hung up on this. I strop before and after like some of the others for the cleaning purposes. To tell the truth though, I use canvas for sharpening and cleaning, but most of my blades after a good honing get about 10 laps per day on the leather and 10 on the canvas after shaving and thats it. Some people strop 50+ laps on multiple surfaces, but if the razor is honed, i feel a few laps before and after are good for maintenance.

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

I think this is a barbers (wives) tale that came about from barbers shaving 20 to 30 guys a day using the same edge. I don't think it applies to the average user. Sounds like it might have been a good advertisement ploy back in the day though.

Shaving one face, with one razor, has worked daily for me for years. I even stopped rotating razors completely about 2 years ago.

Hold the phone here!

You use only a single razor? All the time? Year in, year out?

May I inquire as too what razor you have settled on as your workhorse, just because I'm curious?