Quote Originally Posted by j03 View Post
I have a leather stop on the way. After I get my razor honed, is that all I need? How do I keep my razor sharp? Should i be investing in a separate strop with some of that paste?

Also, how long can I go with my razor before having to get it honed?
You have a hone, strop and razor. Yes, basically that is all what you need.
Everything what you invest after that are only a options for you. How much and what kind of things you want is up to you.
After honing you strop your razor and it should be ready for shaving. After shaving and drying a razor it's good to strop it again. It helps to get rid of the moisture finally.
Before next shaving you could strop again if you like . That should keep your razor sharp.
You feel that when stropping is not enough anymore and then its time to take a hone again.
Pasted strops smooth the bevel quicker then plain strop and is one option for that reason. That is to say do a honing too but in much more finer level. Do you need that depends what kind of hone you have. Some use finer hones, some pasted strops, some just a basic hone and strop, some use newspaper and so on. You don't have hurry to get a pasted strop I suggest that start with that what you have and there's still many things to learn. But finally it's your choice to do what you like.
How long you can go with your razor? There is no straight answer for that. Just do shaving and learn by doing. Stropping is almost as important as honing.
cheers
Tony