question from a newb

I just started shaving with a straight razor, I purchased a shave ready dovo and paddle strop from Tony Miller, and I am happy with both. I have shaved 3x so far and have had pretty good results, I have not cut or nicked myself yet and I think within 2 or 3 shaves I will not need to finish up with a DE. I have some questions though. My first question is, how soon after you strop do you have to shave ? for example if I were going to the gym and did not want to bring my paddle strop but wanted to shve at the gym after the steam room, would it be possible to strop the razor at home and then shave two or three hours later ? also why are paddle strops not reccomended for newb's ? is it easier to strop with a hanging. I happen to like my paddle strop even though my technique needs lots of work, although I will buy a hanging from Tony in the near future. Lastly I would like to say thank you to all of you whom I have learned so much from on this forum. I have been interested in straight razor shaving for a while now, but have always been a bit afraid, but now that I finally took the plunge I could not be happier, that first shave when I actually heard the sound of the whiskers being shaved was an amazing feeling.

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Originally Posted by lt green

My first question is, how soon after you strop do you have to shave ? for example if I were going to the gym and did not want to bring my paddle strop but wanted to shve at the gym after the steam room, would it be possible to strop the razor at home and then shave two or three hours later ?

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I've done it. It seems to go fine.

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Originally Posted by lt green

also why are paddle strops not reccomended for newb's ? is it easier to strop with a hanging.

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There's a little give on a hanging strop which is a little more forgiving as well. If you're doing well enough with the paddle I wouldn't worry about it too much. I started shaving with a spike tip and that has gone very well for me.

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Originally Posted by lt green

Lastly I would like to say thank you to all of you whom I have learned so much from on this forum. I have been interested in straight razor shaving for a while now, but have always been a bit afraid, but now that I finally took the plunge I could not be happier, that first shave when I actually heard the sound of the whiskers being shaved was an amazing feeling.

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Y'are a man now my son! :D

X

xman already answered, i just want to confirm about stropping. different people find the significance of time between stropping and shaving to be of different importance. Some find no difference, while others can see a night and day difference. In any case you should have no difficulty shaving with a razor that has been stropped few hours or even days before shaving, but you may or may not find that stropping closer to shaving makes appreciable difference to you.

Since the above paragraph looks really convoluted:
1.) don't worry about it
2.) see if you you can tell a difference at all
3.) if you find a difference you will decide for yourself if it enough to make bringing a strop along worth your while.

The only thing I would add is: what makes you think newbees should not use a hanging strop? A hanging strop is the classic way to strop. personally I find it easier to use than a paddle. I think most use a paddle for pasted strops and in traveling but I would bet if you did a survey you would find the great majority use a hanging strop for every day stropping.

I use my hanging strop every day. Now and then a Loom Strop. Paddle strop for the road. I strop before and after every shave. Explanation.........I dunno.......

The main thing is to use a little pressure as possible when stropping and enjoy your shave.

Have fun,

Lynn