Thread: When is it time to Strop?

"Ready to Shave" is open to alot of interpretation. That depends on where you purchsed the razor. If it was from Straight Razor Designs, Vintage Blades, or one of the other vendors here, or from the classified ads here, its probably actually "shave-ready". A razor with only a factory edge is not by any means shave-ready. With regard to honing, stones are what is preferred. Usually, a 1K or 2K to set a bevel (if you're starting from scratch with a dull razor. Then, progressing up through the stones, 4K, 8K (if you use the Norton stones), and then a final polish/finishing on a 12K finish stone. Stropping aids in bringing the micrscopic blade edge back into alignment between shaves. It also cleans the blade. The only time a machine is really used is in the factory, or by one performing a total restoration on a vintage razor. Hopefully that was somewhat helpful, welcome aboard and good luck!!--Nick