Thread: First timer needs advice

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

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

+1 to all of this.

If the razors are shave ready, you shouldn't have to strop before your first shave.

What is the paste?

They look good but appear to be smaller blades, around the 4/8 mark. Be aware that these are not easy, nor generally recommended, to learn to strop on. 5/8 or 6/8 is generally easier due to the wider blade, not sure if you've read about that yet but it's much easier to keep the razor flat and even on the strop.

Welcome to SRP