If your blade has started tugging, it probably is not worn out yet. It just needs drying and de-burring. A quick pass on a strop realigns the edge and pulls off the moisture that dulls it, so your blade lasts a lot longer.
What is a strop, and what it does
As you shave, the very edge of the blade bends over microscopically and holds on to water that corrodes it. A strop straightens the edge back out and wicks it dry. It does not remove metal, it realigns and dries the edge you already have. That is why a thirty second strop after each shave keeps a blade going far longer.
How to use a strop
- Hold the strop taut, denim side up.
- Lay the blade flat and draw it along the denim to clean, dry and de-burr the edge.
- Flip to the leather side and repeat to finish. The edge always trails, never leads.
- A few passes per side, after every shave.
When it is time for a fresh blade
Stropping stretches a blade's life, it does not make it last forever. When a strop no longer brings the edge back, swap in a fresh cartridge. With regular stropping most people get noticeably more shaves from each one.
Questions, answered
Does stropping sharpen my blade?
No. Stropping realigns and dries the edge you already have, so the blade stays keen for longer. It does not grind a new edge.
How often should I strop?
Before every shave. It takes under a minute and makes the biggest difference to comfort.
