Hello All,

I've enjoyed reading may of your posts in the forums and appreciate your shared wisdom.

This paragraph is a little background so feel free to skip to the next paragraph with the actual questions. I'm new to Straight Razor shaving and purchased a kit with a new strop, brush, soap and razor a few months ago for around $70. It took a lot of stropping to get the "shave ready" razor what I believe is "usable" and then it was requiring a lot of stropping, around 100 times, between shaves to keep it "usable" but still not comfortable to use. Recently I purchased an vintage razor that had some issues, small chips I could feel with my nail, and sharpened it, removing the chips, using wet dry paper as I have sharpened 100 of woodworking tools with this method and was doing this as a comparison test. I used electric tape as others have suggested in the forums and was deliberate with all actions. I ended on 1500 paper and then to the strop. The shave was so much better than the razor that come with the kit I was amazed. I then purchased an antique strop that came in today. I tried using the strop a few times and everything felt so much better I was again amazed and the amount of stropping is now greatly decreased. With the new antique razor and strop I'm in about $55 with shipping and actually had a comfortable shave, not including brush and soap. I had considered switching back to disposable razors before I invested in the older razor, S. R. Droescher Blue Diamond and Alchimi Strop.

I have a few friends that are starting to ask questions about shaving with straight razors. I haven't made suggestions yet but based on my experience I'm leaning towards suggesting they buy vintage equipment to get started. Do others agree with this or is it more likely I got lucking with my vintage purchase. This way they can upgrade the peaces they would like to moving forward but start with a minimal investment.

On another note how should I take care of the razor after and between shaves. I've been drying and stropping it a few times and sticking it in my sock drawer. We have low humidity where I live. I read I should oil it after shaving and have mineral oil but other than after the first sharpening I haven't oiled it once. Should oiling the blade be an every time practice. I also dry with a towel everything but the very edge of the blade and let the strop dry that. Is this an OK practice.

Thanks,
Mark