Thread: Hey there, Newbie here.

Originally Posted by kipper

What's the difference between a learning strop and a better quality one.?

The guys here call it a learning strop because you're bound to accidentally slice it up.

Originally Posted by kipper

mbwhoosh, I've never wet shaved before but I'm really anxious to start. I'm sending both razors to floppyshoes for sharpening since I live only 20 minutes from him in Montreal. My brush is a pure badger from Floris in England, it's about 10 years old but has never been used. What's the difference between a learning strop and a better quality one.? Is Arkansas stone any good for honing razors? The black ones. Thanks for the info.

As you can see our members are on the ball

Yes a practice strop is a cheaper strop that you won't mind slicing up while you learn. It is common to get small nicks to huge gashes when first starting out and some of the nicer strops can run $70 or more.

onimaru55 already answered your hone question though once Floppyshoes gets done with them you shouldn't need to touch them up for quite awhile unless you drop the razor, clang it on the sink, or roll the edge mistropping. Even then all you will need is a barber hone like a swaty, or if you get "the filly" it comes pasted on the back for touch-ups.

I didn't catch on that you were in Canada here are some sites that you can get cream and soap from easier then.

bullgoose

rasagepoulin

shaving essentials

While you are waiting for the razors to be honed and shipped back take this time to practice lathering. Str8t razor shaving has the steepest learning curve in wetshaving IMO (in my opinion) because you have to not only learn to shave and strop but lather too. So it is best to get started practicing on what you can, buy some cheap soap or cream and start whipping cause it can be deceptfully tricky when you start.

Good luck Kipper keep us posted on how your progressing and if you have any further questions.

Thanks for all the info and the links, I'll start to practice my lathering while I wait for the razors to be honed.