I've done a lot of reading today on old threads in this forum and still am unsure of the next best move.

I'm conflicted over whether I should purchase a pasted TM paddle strop as my next big investment or to go ahead and get the Norton 4K/8K & lapping stone. When you include the cost of the diamond pastes with the paddle strop, the strop and the hone (plus the lapping stone) are roughly equal in price.

I've shaved about 7 times and have already had to send my razor out for rehoning (whether due to poor shaving technique or poor stropping technique, I don't know). I really want to be self-sufficient at this and not rely on an outside source to have to keep my razor sharp.

I'm also of a minimialist/keep it simple mindset. If I don't REALLY need a paddle strop in the long run and can get great results with just the Norton and a strop, then I'd rather just go ahead and get the Norton. Also, I'm not crazy about the thought of having an extra ongoing expense and maintenance of having to reapply the pastes ever so often. At least with the Norton, once you have it and the lapping stone, you're pretty much set, right?

However, if I can get by on the paddle strop and no hone for a long time (a year or so) and if it will help me in the future to go a long time between honings, maybe it would be worth it get the strop now. This would give me more time to continue building my stropping and shaving techniques before tackling honing.

Let me know what you all think.

Payne