Shangas
I'll Lock Up
- Messages
- 6,116
- Location
- Melbourne, Australia
dnjan,
A straight razor must be STROPPED before each shave. Not honed. Honing sharpens the blade. Stropping makes it smooth. If you want to shave with a rough, sharpened blade that's going to rip your face off, go ahead, but I wouldn't recommend it!
Stropping should be done...
- After every shave.
- After sharpening.
Honing should be done...when necessary, really. I hone at the start or end of each month as a matter of habit. So every four weeks or so.
Straight razors have the benefit in that (theoretically), they're very economical and they don't waste. The only thing you replace is the soap and water, and you do that with every other kind of shaving anyway.
I generally disagree with people who say that straight-shaving takes longer than other forms of shaving. Yes, it takes longer in the beginning, but once you're proficient, you can do a quick, clean shave in just a couple of minutes. It's a matter of plenty of practice, knowing your face, and confidence.
A straight razor must be STROPPED before each shave. Not honed. Honing sharpens the blade. Stropping makes it smooth. If you want to shave with a rough, sharpened blade that's going to rip your face off, go ahead, but I wouldn't recommend it!
Stropping should be done...
- After every shave.
- After sharpening.
Honing should be done...when necessary, really. I hone at the start or end of each month as a matter of habit. So every four weeks or so.
Straight razors have the benefit in that (theoretically), they're very economical and they don't waste. The only thing you replace is the soap and water, and you do that with every other kind of shaving anyway.
I generally disagree with people who say that straight-shaving takes longer than other forms of shaving. Yes, it takes longer in the beginning, but once you're proficient, you can do a quick, clean shave in just a couple of minutes. It's a matter of plenty of practice, knowing your face, and confidence.