Thread: beginner question- letting the razor rest

I have studied metallurgy and the science is that the metal razors are made from is generally heat treated. This means that once set, the micro-structure of the metal will only change if heat (significantly high) is applied. Unless you leave your razor to rest in an oven, I can see no reason that the edge of a razor would change. The longer the razor is left to rest, the greater the corrosion to the metal and therefore cause dulling of the edge. This is why a majority of straight users oil their razors, because the oil helps prevent/ reduce corrosion of metal. Not forgetting of course that the environment you leave your razor in will affect the corrosion, humid environments cause more corrosion - this is why I don't leave my razor in my bathroom.

I hope this helps

Where I am coming from is that some well respected,knowledgable people have said stropping after shaving and rinsing will destroy an edge bye vertue of the edge being soft like cheese after using.I do not believe it,they do not offer any scientific proof,I cannot find any.

It's an interesting point. I would say that the edge is soft like cheese before and after using it, hence why everyone would agree that delicate handling is good practise. The general view of using a linen strop before leather is to warm the edge and make it malleable so that when stropped on the leather, it's more pliable and the edge should re-align with less effort. So in the case of stropping after a shave, softer is by consensus, desirable? This is my view, but respect that others have their preferences

I personally like to strop after shaving and before because I like stropping and I have had no problems to my edges...

If my edges are "soft like cheese after using", then that must be some pretty darn sharp cheese, maybe a sharp cheddar or something like that. After my next shave, I'm going to test this with the HCT, the hanging cheese test. I'll start with some Stilton and work up to a five year aged sharp cheddar. Even better, I get to eat the results!

Soft like cheese ? Poppycock , hokum , bunk , and the bollocks !

Originally Posted by fahnreich

Hello Gents,

This is my first post and
.....
I purchased a very nice Dovo
......
Did I make a mistake or do you actually need to let your razor rest after the first brief sideburn only shave?

Also, I have a beard (chinstrap, goatee) so I won't be shaving my sidedurn to start should I start on my cheek nearest the sudeburn?

Thank you,
Scott

First welcome.

Next Dovo makes a fine razor.

You do not need to let your razor rest. Strop smooth and lightly
and you are good to go.

If you were an old school barber shaving a dozen folk a day
we can revisit the topic.

As for starting -- start on the bits you shave that are easy to shave.
If you like big sides then those are not bits you shave so not a question....

As for two razors it is nice to have a second blade. Like working
on cars you need a second so you can go and gets parts. If you
hone your razor today or send it out it might not be ready for tomorrow.
A couple bucks in BiC yellow handle for sensitive skin tossables will
help you bridge the gaps as needed. In the old days when you got
your semi-annual haircut you might also get your razor honed by
the barber.

Originally Posted by ace

You can test the "resting a razor" theory yourself. If you have two razors, make a little bed for one of them after you shave with it. Put it in the closet in its bed, tuck the sheets in carefully and turn off the light. A day later you can compare the two and determine whether the rest made any difference. Remember to wake it gently from its rest. Razors can get cranky when awakened abruptly.

Yes indeed....

As luck would have it I found a big box of razor mattresses
under the sink in my girlfriends bathroom. They work so
much better than mouse pads from the computer store.

As for steel the process of stropping work hardens the ultra
thin steel edge (bend a steel coat hanger back and forth till it breaks).
Normal room temperature will undo that hardening a bit with time.
However if you strop the blade 20-50 times and not 200,000times
the thin edge will not crack off and become dull.

Strop light and smooth with your daily shaver and
it will will be fine.