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Still researching what items I need to purchase for my first straightedge razor.
I'm trying to figure out, what is the difference between honing and stropping a razor? Are they just two different methods for maintaining and sharpening a straightedge razor, or does each one have a different purpose?
How often do these two actions need to be performed on a new razor?
You may want to start in the library:
Beginner's guide to straight razor shaving - Straight Razor Place Library
Tons of good info in there for beginners.
Straight Razor Designs has some very nice kits that will give you everything you need to get started SR shaving, and most of all, their razors come shave ready. (Getting a shave ready razor is critical to the success of a beginner)
Each has a different purpose. Honing sharpens a razor by removing steel. Stropping re-aligns the small deformations that happen at the edge during shaving. Stropping is done before every shave. Honing is done as needed, and this can vary greatly in frequency.
Straight Razor Place - Beginners' Tips: March 2016
A great article for beginners. This advise will save you time, frustration, and money.
What utopian said
You've got excellent answers here, should be on your way to a sharp shave in no time.