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How many shaves without stropping?

Doc's legendary and ongoing experiment on how long a blade will stay sharp without rehoning includes stropping on canvas and plain leather. Some time ago I suggested a similar experiment where he refrained from stropping in order to test how long it would take for the shave to get uncomfortable. I will offer myself to do this experiment. Now, I'm not Doc. I can certainly not hone like him and my shaving technique will certainly be inferior. So my results will not be comparable to his. Furthermore, in order to not allow any comparison, I will not use my TI. I'll start with a freshly honed blade. I've not decided yet which one. Probably my Filarmonica #14. I'll post details on the honing procedure once it's done. I will probably not be able to refrain from using other razors but hopefully this will be a short experiment. I'll keep you posted.
 

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Let's see. Most believed that Doc's edge would go down after some 15 shaves or so. He's on #126 last time I checked. But I am certain, that this must have something to do with stropping.
 
I commend you on trying this.

I would say the number of shaves you get depends on how many passes you do per shave.

I would say you get 12 passes at most.
 
Thats a valid point. The number of passes may be a factor to consider. I mostly do a two pass shave WTG/XTG and ATG on my neck with a touch up at the corners of my mouth. But not only the passes are important but also the number of strokes per pass. But I also think that the first pass may be the most detrimental to the edge. Anyway, this is not hard science given all the different influencing factors and I'll do it mostly out of fun.
 

Slash McCoy

I freehand dog rockets
I can tell the difference after just one stropless shave. I would not want to have to go for two. I would rather not shave at all. But let's see how you do!
 
Some blades can go several shaves others fall off mid shave and I definitely would start another shave with. The harder the steel the longer. Some of the Japanese Westerns I think I could shave all week.
 
You are more courageous than I. I forgot to strop once and was forced to stop mid shave and correct my ways. I am looking forward to hearing your results though.
 
You are more courageous than I. I forgot to strop once and was forced to stop mid shave and correct my ways. I am looking forward to hearing your results though.
I think if you tried one of the Tanifuji blades with the YSS2 steel or a high quality kamisori you would agree. As for your average Solingen steel while it delivers a very comfortable shave and can take a fine edge it will not hold it very long wthout stropping. The upside to the softer steels is most of us can maintain nice edge on it. Some of the really hard steel is not easy to get a good edge on with the best of hones but once its there it is very durable.
 
Heck, I like to strop between passes. I can feel a difference, especially if my following pass is against the grain.

Good luck.
 
Man I need to dig out that old Joseph rodgers wedge I had to do this test with. That thing was harder than picking up a college girl who's at the bar with her women's studies class.
 

cleanshaved

I’m stumped
agree with number of passes etc but I would think the post shave edge care would be a large part of how far a edge can go without stropping.
the slightest oxidation on the edge and it's game over.
 
OK. Took out my Filli and since it was shave ready I just gave it a slight touch up on a pasted strop (Dovo Black) then on canvas and plain leather.

Shave #0:
Pre shave HHT: 4-5
Soap: DR Harris Arlington
2 Passes: WTG, XTG on cheeks, ATG on neck
AS: Eau Sauvage
Conclusion: Nice and smooth. DFS. Not BBS since I was in a hurry. Tiny nick on my chin.

Edit: as for post shave treatment I just gave the blade a wipe with a towel and a thin coat of oil to prevent oxidation.
 
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Yes. But not many times. I currently have about 12 razors in my rotation and I don't keep a log on my razor usage. But I remembered from my last shave that it was still OK. If the shave would not have been satisfactory I would have passed to a honing but as it is I did not deem it necessary.
 
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