My Journey Begins....soon!! And I have a few questions....

Ok, so I purchased a gift set from The Superior Shave today (great experience-shipped the same day!) and it is on its way. My set will include SR - Boker 5/8 Edelweiss (shave ready), Kohl & Laibach #188J 'Russian' Leather and Linen Strop , lapped 40x150 Coticule (w/slurry stone), Osma alum stone, styptic pencil, dove yellow and white strop paste and oil/silicone treated cotton razor sleeve. I can't wait until it arrives!!! I already have a good badger brush, shave soap.

I do have a few questions (I know I'll have many more!!)

1. I've watched some great videos on how to use the Coti but when do you use it? When stropping isn't enough to keep the SR sharp? About when can I expect to need to use it on a new razor..a month or so? Is using the Coti the same as honing or should I plan to send the razor out for professional honing when the time comes? I'm also thinking about picking up another inexpensive SR from whipped dog and use that one to practice touch-ups with the Coti. I understand stropping needs to be done before and after shaving and won't need to use the Coti for awhile.
2. I understand the white paste should be applied to linen and the yellow is just a leather conditioner. Should I buy a second strop with linen just so I can apply the white paste and leave the linen side of the new stop untreated? or doesn't it matter...I'm thinking the paste will eventually wear off the linen.
3. How does one apply the white strop paste?

Man...I came up with a lot of question!!

Thanks in advance for your help...

Sounds like you got yourself a great kit.

[*]I've watched some great videos on how to use the Coti but when do you use it? When stropping isn't enough to keep the SR sharp? About when can I expect to need to use it on a new razor..a month or so? Is using the Coti the same as honing or should I plan to send the razor out for professional honing when the time comes? I'm also thinking about picking up another inexpensive SR from whipped dog and use that one to practice touch-ups with the Coti. I understand stropping needs to be done before and after shaving and won't need to use the Coti for awhile.

The coticle is a natural stone hone, so using the coticle is honing. Getting a whipped dog razor to practice honing and stropping on is a great idea. As to how often you'll need to go to the coticle, it varies hugely from person-to-person, skill level-to-skill level. Us beginners destroy edges quicker than pros through poor stropping or shaving technique. If you use the (DOVO white) pasted strop to maintain your edge, I'm guessing you shouldn't really need to renew your edge on the coticle for maybe 3-6 months.

[*]I understand the white paste should be applied to linen and the yellow is just a leather conditioner. Should I buy a second strop with linen just so I can apply the white paste and leave the linen side of the new stop untreated? or doesn't it matter...I'm thinking the paste will eventually wear off the linen.


You could apply the paste to the reverse side of the linen, so you have a clean side and a pasted side, or get a second linen strop. You will want a clean strop for daily use, the pasted strop is just for occasional touch ups.

[*]How does one apply the white strop paste?


Slowly, in sensual circles.


Enjoy the straight razor ride, welcome to our little club.

Most any Question can be answered here:


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+1 to Chevhead's advice, the site's search function will get you all the answers you seek. Someday I'm going to ask it about women.

Definently get a practice razor. Cotis are all different and harder to learn than the synthetic and you'll need the practice. The white paste isn't abrasive and is just a considered a conditioner for linen strops. You just rub lightly and evenly over the linen. As for time between touchups that is dependant on how you strop shave and your experience level.

You can also find a ton of material at the SRP Wiki.
Or you can ask it here -- a lot of SR scholarly gentlemen and ladies are here to help you on your journey.