Thread: Should I strop?

I certainly plan to take SirStropalot up on his offer. I took my first run at a shave today. What suprised me most is how hard it was to see my face in the mirror where most people say to start, which was high on my strong side cheek. I couldn't see at all and it was totally by feel. But I gained a little confidence and did most of my right cheek without getting close to my ear or lips. Then I did the same on the left cheek using my left hand. Then I did some passes on my neck based on the direction of hair growth but staying away from the jaw line. I got that far with no blood or nicks, so I figured that was good enough for a first run. I wonder if my angle was too shallow though as I was leaving quite a bit of shaving cream on my face. On the videos I've watched, the guys are taking every bit of lather off of their faces with each stroke. I know it's just technique though as the razor was shave ready based on the conversations early on in the thread (Lynn honed the razor and I did not strop). Looking forward to my next run at it! Thanks for all the advise! More advise welcomed!

I sharpen straights for a friend of mine that shaves himself as well as his wife's legs. Since he knows that improper stropping will do more damage than no stropping he just doesn't strop. Although he is not a daily shaver he can go for quite awhile and still get good shaves.
I have heard of using a butter knife to practice with but I think taping the edge and going at it with the taped straight should work at least as well.
The main thing is keeping the spine of the razor in contact with the strop at all times. Lifting the spine allows the edge to touch at a bad angle. Light pressure on the strop is all you want and you really don't have to pull much to keep the strop taught enough.
You will get those shaving angles figured out pretty quick.
Good luck

yes, it prolongs the the time between honing.