Thread: Buying my first straight, need advice.

Sounds like you're good to go. However, I'm not sure if those hones are yet necessary since you're already getting crox and diamond spray with your paddle. Those should keep you going for while. But your call. Instead, consider grabbing alum and stypic.

Paddle can replace hanging strop - it has the smooth leather side.

The razor will be fine as long as it is truly 'shave ready'. I'd go for an inexpensive hanging starter strop. Most that are new to stropping will inflict some minor damage on the leather. I wouldn't think about hones yet. It will be months before you need to think about honing. I would concentrate on shaving and learning to use the strop.

Kull,

+1 on the previous posts...

You don't need to purchase the Naniwa or DMT 8 stones at this point. If you str8 razor is coming from SRD it is already shave ready. Your razor shouldn't need re-honing until at least 6 months to a year after you purchase it, epecially if your paddle strop already comes with some diamond spray to help maintain its sharpness.

As for the modular paddle strop...Consider ordering an additional leather pad--in case you nick the one that is part of the package when you are stropping.