I don't know if this is true or not I have been shaving with str8ght razors for about 2 yrs give or take and I was reciently told to let my razor rest for 24 hrs or more before I use it again. Is their any truth to that. Unfortunately I only own 1 str8ght razor at the moment and will be hopefully getting another soon, I'm I doing any damage by useing my razor every day even though I strop each time I use it? Thanks, jmbullman
I don't know if there is any truth to it or not. I use my razors for a week at a time, then rotate. I look at it this way, I work everyday, so can my razor. My razor only has to work for 15 min., it can handle it, I would think. I wouldn't argue about but I think it's a load of BS and would never be convinced otherwise. I have been accused of being hardheaded, though.
There is solid science behind this, basically Steel has a certian amount of "Memory" so the theory is that by letting the razor "Rest" for 24 hours much of the damage that was done to the steel by your beard will be lessened just by the razor sitting there.. The resting lets the micro edge relax back to near where it was before the beard beat on it then the stropping has a better chance to burnish it even better... Whether is makes any real difference has always been up for discussion, myself I have my doubts
The theory is that the act of shaving distorts the edge just a little bit, but, if you let the blade sit for 24 hours, the steel will try to return to it's original shape, kind of like a slower version of memory foam. While I believe there is a little bit of truth in that, I also believe that the first back and forth stroke of stropping will do as much and more. Sure, letting it "rest" might extend it's useful life from 80 years of continual shaving to perhaps 82 or 83 years worth of shaves. (just throwing a ballpark figure out there) It's kind of like the hand stropping argument for stainless DE blades. Some people claim to be able to get an extra shave or two out of the blade, some claim it makes the shave smoother, and others think that any "improvement" is all in their heads. That was one of those things that worked for the old carbon blades, but modern stainless steels don't need it. EDIT: Glen beat me to it.
Thanks so basically on the modern stainless I should be ok, and when I get my other razor I can swap out every other day so It won't matter either way, I guess I can look at it like a stainless knife I use the same one most every day and occasionally swap out for something else when I want to use a different guyto. Thanks for answering my questions I sure do appericate it. Peace jmbullman
I've always wondered who came up with the 24 hr wait period before stropping? Why not 12, 36 or 48 hrs? Does a barber change his straight razor between customers or just strop it? I would tend to think that stropping ability /consistancy would make alot more difference in keeping an edge in shaving shape than waiting a specific amount of time between stroppings. I kinda feel that Gillette wasn't the only guy who knew how to market things. The 24 hr time period was a very convenient for selling 7 day straight razor sets. Just my thoughts on the subject.
I razor is no different than the man who uses it. Do you work without a rest? Just because we think of it as a tool we should have the same respect that we, it's caretaker, expect from others. Let the blade rest. Have at least 3 in your rotation. Treat it well and it will treat you well.
The seven day sets were a bit different. They were a luxury, something that separated the highborn from the low, and offered a shave-ready shave every day of the week. Then the owner, or more likely his manservant would strop all of them at one time. It also would keep the owner from having to hone his razors (or have them honed) every six months. Please bear in mind that this is only my opinion, and not based on hard facts that I've read.
With all due respect, it's an inanimate object, not a living being. Use it, but don't abuse it. And, no, I don't think denying a razor it's rest is abusing it. That's just...
Well, I only shave once a day at approximately the same time every morning, give or take 10 or 15 minutes. So my razor is going to rest for at least 23 hrs. and change. I wouldn't think using a razor daily is abuse.
I was under the impression that the blade should be stropped after each shave to fully remove all impurities from the edge. Is that wrong? Should it merely be wiped down, and stropped just prior to the next shave? Or both perhaps?
I think either way is acceptable. People do both. The final stropping before your shave is whats going to make or break your edge sharpness wise and determine(at least in part) the quality of your shave. Wiping the blade down and drying after your shave at least is just a good practice. I know people (myself included) who have stropped a perfectly sharp edge to dullness . PRACTICE you stropping skills, its VERY important to strop properly no matter what method you use.
I strop before shaving and after. Never had issues. I also put zero stock in letting a blade rest for a period of time.
I strop it a couple of times after the shave. Not to remove hair and soap, that should have been rinsed off, but to remove any traces of water from the edge after it's been wiped down. I give it the full stropping right before I shave.
it's an inanimate object... If you look at 'Molecular Theory' all objects are made of Atoms and Voids ( new findings bare this out even more now than in the past). If you look at the make up of a razor and then man. Is there really that much difference. Why should we think that man's atoms regenerate and a razors doesn't . I think therefore I am... I cut therefore where am I?
I want whatever you are smoking. If there was a point you were trying to make in your post, it went over my head big time. I'm constantly adding fuel (food and drink) to my supply of atoms. I'm pretty sure I can't feed my razor (though it has tasted my blood a time or two). I didn't really need to add this, but it was a fun reply.
"I'm constantly adding fuel (food and drink) to my supply of atoms" Not all life needs to be or can be thought of in terms of the chemical or mechanical processes of the body. Some think of the Earth as a living entity why not the sun, mountains or a razor.
If you shave every day at the same time, and it takes you 20 minutes to shave, then you would have waited 23:40. That, to me, is close enough to 24 hours that you can call it good (not that I'm buying the 24 hour wait time idea).
