Thanks to everyone who taught me the method(s) for stropping a DE (previous post). Like some others, the vaunted Derby blade was harsh on my face. I started stropping one before every shave and the difference in smoothness has been (for me) close to unbelievable!
I was doubtful it would make a difference. Today I shaved using the exact same process I used with a Derby awhile back (I keep a journal so I can compare experiences while changing only one variable (razor, blade, shave medium/make, preshave routine, etc.) using a 4-point scale. Previous (unstropped) Derby garnered 2/4 for comfort (considerable neck irritation, a couple weepers) and 3/4 for closeness. Today, with the stropped Derby, there was no irritation, no red, and the closeness was at least 3.5 of 4. Maybe it was a 4/4; I'm planning to save that designation for the morning I cannot feel a single whisker in any direction -- certainly it was a BBS shave, though.
On the previous thread, some seemed to miss the point of stropping -- thinkign that the main benefit it would be to increase the usuable life of the blade -- and there is some anecdotal evidence it can. But at 15 cents a blade, I would certainly not take the trouble to strop even if it doubled the blade life. What I DO like is being able to experience a closer and more comfortable shave, and I believe stropping does exactly that.
I will try with other blade brands and report back, but right now I'm a convert.
I was doubtful it would make a difference. Today I shaved using the exact same process I used with a Derby awhile back (I keep a journal so I can compare experiences while changing only one variable (razor, blade, shave medium/make, preshave routine, etc.) using a 4-point scale. Previous (unstropped) Derby garnered 2/4 for comfort (considerable neck irritation, a couple weepers) and 3/4 for closeness. Today, with the stropped Derby, there was no irritation, no red, and the closeness was at least 3.5 of 4. Maybe it was a 4/4; I'm planning to save that designation for the morning I cannot feel a single whisker in any direction -- certainly it was a BBS shave, though.
On the previous thread, some seemed to miss the point of stropping -- thinkign that the main benefit it would be to increase the usuable life of the blade -- and there is some anecdotal evidence it can. But at 15 cents a blade, I would certainly not take the trouble to strop even if it doubled the blade life. What I DO like is being able to experience a closer and more comfortable shave, and I believe stropping does exactly that.
I will try with other blade brands and report back, but right now I'm a convert.
