2 Qusetions: Strop Paste and Cream vs. Soap

As some of you know, I am brand new to straight razor shaving and I am in the process of ordering my first razor/brush/strop, etc. I am getting a latigo strop from SRD with the matched webbing back. I know that I will need to hone my razor in the future (the razor I am ordering is shave-ready), so I was wondering if fine strop paste on the matched webbing would work. If I put the paste on the webbing, I won't be able to use it for regular stropping, so is the leather side sufficient for daily stropping? Also, I am planning on getting the Proraso cream in the green tube or Tabac soap. Is soap better than cream or vice versa? Since I'm brand new, I could use all the tips I can get. Lastly, do you guys think that this would be good order for pre/post shaving treatments? Thanks a lot!

Put hot water in scuttle, soak brush during shower
Lather face with cream/soap
Strop razor, reapply lather
Shave
Cold water splash
Witch Hazel AS

Oops sorry about the typo in the title.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MeasleySharps

As some of you know, I am brand new to straight razor shaving and I am in the process of ordering my first razor/brush/strop, etc. I am getting a latigo strop from SRD with the matched webbing back. I know that I will need to hone my razor in the future (the razor I am ordering is shave-ready), so I was wondering if fine strop paste on the matched webbing would work. If I put the paste on the webbing, I won't be able to use it for regular stropping, so is the leather side sufficient for daily stropping? Also, I am planning on getting the Proraso cream in the green tube or Tabac soap. Is soap better than cream or vice versa? Since I'm brand new, I could use all the tips I can get. Lastly, do you guys think that this would be good order for pre/post shaving treatments? Thanks a lot!

Put hot water in scuttle, soak brush during shower
Lather face with cream/soap
Strop razor, reapply lather
Shave
Cold water splash
Witch Hazel AS

Oops sorry about the typo in the title.

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Nix the strop paste for now (i.e. do not tinker with
the webbing back).

Plan on a balsa hone with 1 or 0.5 diamond instead.
I say plan on because a shave ready blade with correct
stropping will shave for a month or more. A balsa
hone and the same amount of tape that the honemaster
used should bring a blade back when the strop cannot
and is inexpensive. It also reinforces the stropping
motion you will be learning and is less likely to damage
a blade badly than a rock.

We all have our own routine. Starting with a shave ready
blade just strop on the leather. Start with 20 up/down trips.
After a couple shaves visit the back of the strop for no more
than 15 up/down trips and then strop as you would normally.

My old barber said he had a 5 to 1 leather to canvas ratio
when stropping. Sadly I was 8 at the time and never
asked about honing. But he shaved my soft kid skin
and trimmed the back of my neck without a nick. Of interest
one of the other barbers in the shop was named Nick and
he did nick me once :)

Adjust to what works for you. Read some of the historic
postings they have lots of info and opinions that are fun to read.

Greg,

niftyshaving has given you some excellent advice. Stay away from the strop paste for now. Get your feet wet in str8 razor shaving...There's no need to dive all the way in.

In terms of routine...Your routine looks excellent. Remember, do what works best and feels most comfortable for YOU. Shaving shouldn't be a chore, it should be a joy. You can pick up tips from the SRP forums, but you don't need to copy every single step.

Relax...Its all good.