Thread: Stropping Question

I have shaved with a feather razor for almost 15 years. I had a Dovo and TI during that time but both were factory honed and unpleasant to shave with so I scrapped them and stuck with the feather. I recently purchased a razor from SRD which was shave ready. I am about 15 shaves into the razor (and I strop 25 on canvas 50 on leather before each shave). After 15 shaves the razor is still very sharp and seems to still work as it did when I first got it (or at least 90%). My question is whether this is a sign my stropping is ok (or at least not awful) or is 15 shaves still early and I simply have not stropped it enough to botch it up?

I'd say it's a good sign, if only because so many people new at stropping seem to dull their razors fairly quickly.

If you're interested in improving your technique, you might check out the videos in this thread:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...d-me-alot.html

Sounds like you're doing pretty well. Good luck!

At 15 shaves if your stropping was off your razor wouldn't be shaving very efficiently so yes you know your stropping is good.

Some folks find by the time they reach 15-20 shaves the edge begins to lose comfort and they like to do a touch up. If depends on your beard and how you shave. Some guys can go for months and months without having to do a touch up.

I agree with thebigspendur. I know some guys who hit their razor every 7-10 shaves with a preventative touch up, and I know guys who go for months. I'd say the chances are your stropping is pretty good, but as he said, there are a lot of variables at work there.

Thanks guys for the info and advice. It is appreciated. I take my time when stropping and was hoping I am on the right track!

It sounds like you are stropping just fine. When I first started stropping, I dulled the razor with poor technique.Keep up the great stropping.