Thread: to all stroppers

Merry Christmas to all.

I've read for months on stropping and understand the purpose however, I have a question. Why stop before every shave? you don't have to do it if you use a safety razor, although I did read a thread where someone used the palm of their hand to get some additional shaves from their blade. Normally you can get a good weeks shave from a safety razor without any stropping at all. So if your straight razor is shave ready why can't you go a couple of days without stropping. So far I have only been able to go 3 days without stropping before feeling a drag. Just curious that's all.

Best always, Rookie 1

To get the best possible shave...

You also don't dispose of a straight razor blade... Do you really have to toss that DE blade? Can't you just keep shaving with it forever??

What's your point. I like to hone and strop my razors. The question is why doesn't the razor hold the edge for a week like a DE

Originally Posted by jeffegg2

To get the best possible shave...

You also don't dispose of a straight razor blade... Do you really have to toss that DE blade? Can't you just keep shaving with it forever??

What's your point. I like to hone and strop my razors. The question is why doesn't the razor hold the edge for a week like a DE

According to the 1961 barber manual, and all others AFAIK, you'll always get a better shave by straightening/refreshing the edge on a strop. Many shavers strop after the shave as well to get any micro gunk out of the bevel after rinsing and drying the blade. That is what I do anyway.... but I confess that I like to strop razors.

To me, shave ready means stropped. That is part of the reason why all the guys that offer honing services strop the razor before sending it out.

Like Jeff said, you don't have to strop, but not stropping will give you a lower quality shave (maybe not straight off the hones - that I don't know, but between shaves).

Stropping does give one a better quality shave but, if you don't have to strop a DE before every shave why can't you at least go a few days?

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

To me, shave ready means stropped. That is part of the reason why all the guys that offer honing services strop the razor before sending it out.

Like Jeff said, you don't have to strop, but not stropping will give you a lower quality shave (maybe not straight off the hones - that I don't know, but between shaves).

I understand that you will get a lower quality shave if you don't strop. Yet, you can get a quality shave with a good DE and blade for a few days without stropping. I think gssixgun may be on to something with his theory on the DE blades being coated extends the life of the shave.

2 more possible explanations are ....

1. The angle of the bevel on a DE blade is much finer

2. The steel used in a DE may resist wear better.

Just my $.02,

You know Lee/Hoglahoo and I had a great discussion on this and here was the conclusion after a ton of the science stuff..

DE and Disposables use special coatings to make the blades "Slicker" ... On a Straight we do know for sure, besides all the scientific stuff that we believe, that stropping the razor burnishes, and polishes, the edge, making it "Slicker" and if not for any other reason, I am good with just that one

"Strop away Marelle, Marelle, strop away"


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qY_LBAVWRMU