First-time Straight Razor: Need Help
Hi All
I went to Art of Shaving last week in NY and bought everything: blade, strop, stropping paste, shaving kit, etc.
I was told to strop the blade before every use, and slather the paste (putty really) onto the strop as well. Now, after one use, my blade is dull and strop is black with putty. While stropping, the putty would cling to my blade, and I'm worried that it's done more harm than good.
In short, I believe my blade was not sharpened enough by the factory, and I am planning to send it off to be professionally honed.
As for the strop, should I just clean it? Or is it fine the way it is? How often do I strop/how much paste do I use?
Help is greatly appreciated. Just VERY frustrated that I shelled out $275 for all of this and I haven't even had a decent shave.