Just bought my first Straight Razor
For a few years now I have been using a Dovo Shavette but finally pulled the trigger on a new straight razor. It is the Dovo Bismark Ebony, I had been waiting for the right combo of price, brand, and style. I did not want to spend a hundred dollars or more on a razor that had cheap plastic scales, but at the same time I did not want to spend several hundred dollars on a razor. Aside from my excitement over this razor, I do have a few questions.
As far as using a strop;
Do I need to do it before every shave?
Just how precise do I need to be when I strop (In other words, how much damage can I do by stropping poorly)?
As far as strop maintenance;
I have seen several different oils, fats, dressing for the leather strop, just how much maintenance does the strop require? Or are those things just products that only help marginally and are really just bait for suckers and beginners?
Some strops have a canvas backing, some do not, how important is the canvas strip?
Any and all advise will be appreciated.