Blade prep

[Grim_Reaper]

Just been Reading about corking blades.
I might be wrong here but isn't hand stropping doing the same thing.
IE prepairing the blade for a smoother more comfortable shave by basically de-burring the edge??

[kingfisher]

I think it probably does the same thing.

I know a lot of guys use hand-stropping to extend the life of their blades, but I hand-strop the blades PRIOR to the first use, to make them smoother. I throw them out after 3 shaves anyway, so I don't see the need to strop them after the first time.

Maybe a more experienced guy will come along and correct me if I'm wrong.

[_JP_]

The sharpening processes on today's DE blades don't leave any sort of burr. I've seen some of the edges under microscopes and we didn't detect a burr.

[Grim_Reaper]

The sharpening processes on today's DE blades don't leave any sort of burr. I've seen some of the edges under microscopes and we didn't detect a burr.

If that being the case, then why are people saying they get better smoother shaving results after stropping.

[Leche]

I tried it, didn't notice a difference. I use the Israeli Red Pack and find the first shave to be very good but not as smooth as shaves 2 and on.

[pcb01]

I cork my blades before the first shave. Since doing so, I have not suffered through another "break-in" shave trying to get to blessed shaves # 2 and 3.

I hand strop before every shave after the first one. I do not do it to prolong blade life, but to make subsequent shaves more comfortable. For me, the process seems to do so.

[Grim_Reaper]

I cork my blades before the first shave. Since doing so, I have not suffered through another "break-in" shave trying to get to blessed shaves # 2 and 3.

I hand strop before every shave after the first one. I do not do it to prolong blade life, but to make subsequent shaves more comfortable. For me, the process seems to do so.

But if you hand strop the blades, before it's first shave and efter each subsequent shaves
Surly there would be no need to cork a blade.

[Audiolab]

I have never done any Blade prep before but I have been considering it recently. I fond the first shave with a Feather very difficult to complete without a few weepers, shaves 2 and 3 are wonderfull, it is the only blade I would ever push beyond three shaves but I generally use a Feather for 5 shaves but never more than 7.

Last new Feather I used I looked at the weepers in the mirror and thought there must be some way to avoid this, I am very very carefull in my technique and prep but that first shave is never good no matter what I do.

I am not sure if I should cork or hand strop? anyone think that one would be better than the other for this purpose? As always I think the answer is give it a try and judge for yourself but wondered if anyone else encounter this and how they have adapted to counter it, particulary with Feathers.

[StGeorge]

I have never done any Blade prep before but I have been considering it recently. I fond the first shave with a Feather very difficult to complete without a few weepers, shaves 2 and 3 are wonderfull, it is the only blade I would ever push beyond three shaves but I generally use a Feather for 5 shaves but never more than 7.

Last new Feather I used I looked at the weepers in the mirror and thought there must be some way to avoid this, I am very very carefull in my technique and prep but that first shave is never good no matter what I do.

I am not sure if I should cork or hand strop? anyone think that one would be better than the other for this purpose? As always I think the answer is give it a try and judge for yourself but wondered if anyone else encounter this and how they have adapted to counter it, particulary with Feathers.

Corking will definitely smooth out a Feather for your first shave with it. I haven't handstropped a day 1 feather as I haven't used one for a while. I handstrop all my blades before use and have found it to be very beneficial in terms of smoothness and longevity. I have sensitive skin and a tough beard and I can really feel the difference in a blade. I swear by handstropping and its made the biggest difference to my shaves since I began. The only blade so far that I haven't had good results with it are Derby's and they just feel rough to me anyway.

[Rolls-Royce]

If that being the case, then why are people saying they get better smoother shaving results after stropping.

I'm pretty sure stropping simply realigns (straightens) the edge. A real burr probably wouldn't be easily removed by stropping. However it works, I've noticed a difference in smoothness after hand stropping (I did it once between strokes out of curiosity, and did feel an improvement). I can't say that I noticed an increase in blade life, though. And some blades definitely respond better than others.

[Grim_Reaper]

Well, I can honestly say i haven't corked a blade or feel the need to.
For the last three shaves i have hand stropped a 7 o'clock (yellow) blade from the wrapper prior to use and after every shave.
My shaves so far have been smooth and irritation free,
I.E. no cuts, bumps or soreness.