Originally Posted by
carlmaloschneider
Welcome to the forum. It's great you're in medical school, you can apply first aid if it all goes haywire :o
I'd not use the strop paste yet. It's true I've never used it, but I get the feel that some beginners ruin their razor more than do it good by using paste too much or incorrectly. I would simply use the strop without paste initially.
I'd also start saving up for a hone; I use two; a Norton 4/8 and a Shapton 16k. I've used no other but these two are all I need. You can shave off the 8k but a 16k will give a smoother edge.
It appears a lot of people have trouble making a good lather from the Williams soap. I always recommend a cream for beginners, it's easier. I'd recommend something like TOBS, Truefitt and Hill, Musgo real or Body Shop; they are all very easy to make a lather with.
Good luck!
Carl