Thread: Where to buy

Thanks Ben. I have chosen my razor, now it's time for a strop

Happy to have been some help. You can't just leave it at that though! What did you decide on?

Upon advice from Steve I decided to go for this - giesen1273

As for a strop i am unsure what to buy, I would like one with both leather and canvas. And preferably a paddle because I have nothing to hang one of. It appears paddles are more expensive though so i'm sure I can rig something up.
Is there anything else to consider, perhaps a soap or cream ?
At the moment I just use a 3 or 4 blade shaver that works suprisingly well for me, when I just run it under a hot tap and shave. Wetting again and again as necessary. Probably dull as a butter knife but it is holding up well after repeated use for months.

I guess i'll see how it compares to the esteemed straight razor.

Great choice!
Don't spend too much on a strop. You will nick it! Get something that's good quality, yet inexpensive. You're going to have to pay more in the UK than if you were in the States, but get used to it!
You will also need a brush, & cream or soap. Foam in a can is just not going to cut it. (Haha. I love these pun's!) Palmolive cream is around a quid, & is very good, so you don't need to spend a fortune.
Likewise with your first brush. Something cheap will do to get you started. You can spend more if you want to though, because you'll find it so much better than the aforementioned foam, you'll keep using it even if you don't stick with the blade.

That's a nice razor, the gold spacer sets it off, especially with that wood grain.

As far as strops go, you can easily buy a hook to hang a strop on from Wickes, or some other DIY store. I bought a two prong towel hook from Wickes that cost me £2.49 and it's ideal. They're available in chrome, brushed satin steel and brass, depending on your current bathroom fittings.

As Ben has said, you should give some thought to your shave prep, as a nice soap, or cream, applied with a brush will really get your whiskers ready to be snipped off with your new razor.

I just found a bristle brush and some palmolive in Tesco while on my errands. I may purchase those for my first attempt. Hookwise, i'll have a look in Wilkinsons and see what they have. I may just buy the leather strop available on invisibleedge, is canvas a necessity or luxury ?

I hang my strops on the door handle of the bedroom. I don't want them in the bathroom environment & i can strop using the handle as a hook.
If you mean those beautiful, luxury, dream strops that Steve has, as much as i would love one & fully intend to have one at some point, i really wouldn't recommend it as your first. You'll be distraught when it get's damaged. It will get damaged.
He has Dovo's too, if you wanted to keep the postage costs down with a single supplier.

I was referring to his "Best Seller" strop, which seemed reasonably priced. I'll have a search around, no need to rush I guess. Fair point though, I most likely will nick it and be a tad annoyed with myself.

Is canvas a necessity or a luxury ?

Some guys use canvas (linen or whatever), some don't. I like it & use it every time. 20-30 laps canvas followed by 40-50 leather prior to the shave, then 15-20 canvas after to ensure the edge is fully dry.

I think that may be me sorted then, just need time to deliberate over strops and such but I can read the rest of the forum for that. Thanks for the help Ben and Steve, Chimensch and Danny.