How come the second shave with a blade is better than the first?

**SilverKarn** · 02-20-2007, 02:15 PM

i noticed this with the Derby, Feather, and Israeli.

the first shave i feel tigging and pulling, but the second goes smooth as silk.

This does not happen with the Euro gilletes.

i love the euro gilletes, if i could find a place i could buy them in 100/box like the isaeli or derby, they would be my choice.

**gar1013** · 02-20-2007, 02:19 PM

My guess is that the first shave in effect acts as an additional "stropping"... either that, or the slight buildup of oil from your skin acts as an additional lubricant.

**BroJohn** · 02-20-2007, 02:19 PM

I suspect that the during the first shave, your face is microscopically burnishing the edge of the blade, and your face is smoothing out the blades 'roughness.'

Yeah, most times the second shave on a blade is very nice. Third, too. . .

-- John Gehman

**SilverKarn** · 02-20-2007, 02:21 PM

i do have a nice piece of leather lying around, you guys think it would be a good idea to "strop" the DE razor befor using it?

**Juaquin** · 02-20-2007, 04:08 PM

I've noticed this too - I even noticed it back when I used a Fusion. I think the first shave tempers the blade and removes any slight ireggularities on the edge.

**BroJohn** · 02-20-2007, 04:23 PM

Originally Posted by SilverKarn

i do have a nice piece of leather lying around, you guys think it would be a good idea to "strop" the DE razor befor using it?

No.

-- John Gehman

**ouch** · 02-20-2007, 04:40 PM

The second day is the best, just like lasagna.

As for stropping a DE, I don't see how- the blade would have to lay flat, so the leading edge would tear into the leather. any other angle would only serve to round the edge.

**SilverKarn** · 02-20-2007, 05:08 PM

why flat? i was just gonna hold the razor from one side and pull it across the leather, flip it over and do the same, they are very bendable, i could bend it until its almost flat with the leather and strop it like that.

Of course, i would have to be VERY careful not to cut myself, since i would be holding a sharp side

i shall try this next time i shave, (when my hands heal up) which wont be for a couple days, unless someone else wants to try it

**gar1013** · 02-20-2007, 05:10 PM

for stropping a disposable blade, I've heard about using it to slice a cork.

Watch your fingers and see if it works.

**ouch** · 02-20-2007, 07:05 PM

Originally Posted by SilverKarn

why flat? i was just gonna hold the razor from one side and pull it across the leather, flip it over and do the same, they are very bendable, i could bend it until its almost flat with the leather and strop it like that.
Of course, i would have to be VERY careful not to cut myself, since i would be holding a sharp side

i shall try this next time i shave, (when my hands heal up) which wont be for a couple days, unless someone else wants to try it

That's equivalent to stropping a straight razor while lifting the spine off of the leather. You'll round off the edge of the blade.

I'd also advise you to be very careful if you attempt this. There seems to have been a rash of recent injuries plaguing some of our members. Witness this poor chap-

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=14753

**Aloosh** · 02-20-2007, 07:35 PM

perhaps i am missing the sarcasm, but it's the same bloke...

i probably did miss it, didn't i?

**SilverKarn** · 02-20-2007, 07:52 PM

No, thats my evil/stupid twin

**Styx** · 02-20-2007, 10:33 PM

Originally Posted by SilverKarn

why flat? i was just gonna hold the razor from one side and pull it across the leather, flip it over and do the same, they are very bendable, i could bend it until its almost flat with the leather and strop it like that.

Of course, i would have to be VERY careful not to cut myself, since i would be holding a sharp side

i shall try this next time i shave, (when my hands heal up) which wont be for a couple days, unless someone else wants to try it

Sounds like you need a DE blade stropper:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Old-Vintage-Razo...QQcmdZViewItem

**SilverKarn** · 02-21-2007, 12:27 AM

That has got to be the most diabolical contraption i have ever seen in my life!

**Thebigspendur** · 02-21-2007, 09:07 AM

I would not be stropping a DE blade. The whole idea is that they are disposable. Why complicate things and you'll never get the right angle and wind up ruining the blade. All blades shave more comfortably after the first shave and that includes most straights also.