Anybody strop the night before?

**Gogo** · 02-18-2010, 07:59 PM

In order to save some time in the morning and to better concentrate on technique I started stropping my razor the night before. Does anybody see any drawbacks to this process?

**azmark** · 02-18-2010, 08:09 PM

I just pulled out 3 blades for a stropping. I always do it the night before because it 1. relaxes me and helps me unwind and 2. just makes it easier in the morning.

**Kees** · 02-19-2010, 04:36 AM

I do most of the time.

**FiveOhNine** · 02-19-2010, 09:26 AM

Haven't yet, but I'm going to try it!

**JPM** · 02-19-2010, 09:31 AM

I've found that if I strop the night before, my blade goes stale by the morning.

Just kidding, I don't see any problems stropping the night before.

**DogHair** · 02-19-2010, 11:26 AM

I tried it but found that stropping kind of gets me in the zone in the morning. Probably just a habit but it helps.

**Tom Ford** · 02-23-2010, 01:36 PM

No, I do it all the time to allow a faster morning shave.

**Luc** · 02-23-2010, 01:50 PM

I always pre-strop my razors. I usually strop everyday or 2 days so I don't end up with 5 razors to be stropped at the same time. Once stropped, they go back in the rotation!

**Bertilak** · 02-23-2010, 02:03 PM

I usually strop right after my shave, at night, but not always. Well, I always give at least a quick strop on the fabric just after the shave to be sure the blade is dry.

I keep my razors standing in a mug so I have two mugs, one for razors that still need to be stropped (usually not more one at any given time) and another for razors ready to go. Even the ready-to-go razors get a quick touch up on the leather before each shave.

**tg16** · 02-24-2010, 07:55 AM

Originally Posted by Robert Paulsen

I usually strop right after my shave, at night, but not always. Well, I always give at least a quick strop on the fabric just after the shave to be sure the blade is dry.

I keep my razors standing in a mug so I have two mugs, one for razors that still need to be stropped (usually not more one at any given time) and another for razors ready to go. Even the ready-to-go razors get a quick touch up on the leather before each shave.

I strop at night and after shaving in the morning, I strop about 20 laps to make the razor dry.

Why am I quoting Robert Paulsen? Because he sold me my first straight and in so doing started me down the road to the best and irritation free shaves I've ever had.

Thanks!

**Antique Hoosier** · 02-24-2010, 08:11 AM

I find myself stropping a blade the night before lately but always give it a good 35 to 50 laps prior to shaving in the morning. I blame it on my OCD and liken it to a baseball player who goes through the same motions prior to entering the batter's box.

**professorchaos** · 02-24-2010, 08:18 AM

I strop in the morning after lathering. Gives the lather a little extra time to work.

**Slartibartfast** · 02-24-2010, 08:25 AM

Same here. My routine in the morning is.

Wash Face
Lather
Strop
Rinse lather off
Bay Rum
Lather
Shave

Originally Posted by professorchaos

I strop in the morning after lathering. Gives the lather a little extra time to work.

**joshmpdx** · 02-24-2010, 02:34 PM

i strop before my shave and 10 or so passes on latigo after the shave.

**miket** · 02-25-2010, 06:37 PM

I strop at night. I get up and go to work early. Stropping at night gives me more time to strop and more time to spend on shaving in the morning.

Mike

**mdunn** · 02-25-2010, 06:48 PM

nope - it gives me something to do while my brush soaks a litle

**richmondesi** · 02-25-2010, 06:52 PM

I'm a strop before and after shave kind of guy... sometimes, that happens to be at night. Razors will develop oxidation on the edge just by being out in the air. Stropping rectify that situation. Stropping right before the shave gives you the best possible shot at having a great shave, IMHO. For the guys who hone and say not to strop prior to your shave, the reason that they can do that is because they put oil on the blade that will protect it.

Maybe I worry too much about this kind of stuff

**azmark** · 02-25-2010, 07:34 PM

Originally Posted by professorchaos

the lather a little extra time to work.

You caught my attention. New experiment for tomorrow.

**grimlad** · 02-28-2010, 07:10 AM

I strop and shave at night (before work the next day). I get up too early to be able to complete a zen-like, relaxing shave. That is part of the reason I straight razor shave

.
I don't see a problem stropping the night before a shave though.

**charismata** · 02-28-2010, 09:16 PM

Like grimlad said, why not just go ahead and shave at night to save time in the morning?

The human body naturally slows down while sleeping. The heart rate slows down. Hair and fingernails grow slower.

I shave at night as well. It's a relaxing ritual that helps me unwind and get ready for a good night's rest.