Quote Originally Posted by Robert Duncan View Post
Foundlingofdollaar:
Your welcome made me feel good, thanks. Your information on my strops was very helpful. I have already started using the info. I take it that I am to use the green side on the paddle first then the red side and the same thing on the hanging strop using the linnen side first then the leather. Is there suppose to be something on the linnen, if so I have never put anything on it nor do I have anything to put on it. Await your reply. Again thanks. P.S. I did a little running around Austin when I was stationed at Fort Hood.
If the green and red sides of your paddle are indeed treated with pastes, don't use them every shave. It will help keep your edge sharper for longer and more polished, but over time it will round the bevel. Just use the pasted sides when you feel your razor is losing its peak shaving edge. When you do use a pasted side, be sure to wipe your blade clean as you don't want to contaminate your strop with an abrasive.

Before each shave, strop first on your fabric strop perhaps 20 passes (the fabric side does not need to be treated with anything), then follow with maybe 30 passes or so on the unpasted leather. The strop dressing is just a leather conditioner to keep your strop supple and prevent it from drying out. Apply occasionaly, rub in well, and allow to sit. It may help increase the strop's "draw" but is for the benefit of the leather, not the blade.

Keep asking questions and here you will keep getting answers!

P.S., I live in Austin but commute to Waco, so I "pass" Fort Hood quite a bit. Where are you at nowadays?