Thread: Questions From the Lost

Ok. Having read some of the wiki it appears I need a few specific things. I need a shave ready razor from someone reputable, a strop, and a proper shaving soap with something to make lather in. It appears I also need soem sort of oil to prevent rust.
Here are my questions.
1) Do I need a strop that hangs or one with the handle under tension? Does it need to be pasted or have canvas?
2) What are the best brands of soap in terms of creating lather?
3) IF I get a 5/8 razor does it need to be round or square point? The square point seem to be a little cheaper in the classifieds and I am on a budget.
4) Do I need to buy some sort of hone or can that wait? It appears honing costs about $30 roundtrip and I can get a good razor form the classifieds here for a only $10 more.
5) Will WD-40 prevent razor rust or should I use something else?

Welcome to SRP.
1. Hanging strop for stropping before shave
2. taylor of old bond street is fool proof cream that produces great lather
3. round point for a newbie is imo easier to get along with
4. no hones. First learn how to shave, strop and maintain a razor with CrO/Diamond spray.
5. use baby oil /mineral oil.

Any strop will do. I would pick one that is wide. I would also recommend SRD's modular paddle, as you can use the felt with diamond spray en lieu of a hone for quite some time.

As far as soaps and creams are concerned, I suggest you go through Shaving Soaps/Shaving Creams Reviews - Straight Razor Place Forums. If you weren't on a budget, I would recommend Caraceni or Castle Forbes. Since you are, either try one of the ones mentioned in the "beginner on a budget" article referenced in the beginners guide (see signature), or give one of CarrieM's creams a try. I've been using mine almost exclusively lately, and they are quite affordable.

I wen't with the Straight Razor Designs Modular Paddle. It is a great value for the money. It comes with 2 types of leather, 2 pressed felt pads and .5 micron diamond spray for one of the felt pads. You can put what ever you want on the other or leave it plain. Remember once a pasted strop always a pasted strop. So don't put any thing on your leather at first unless you buy another one for pasts and sprays because the leather is your everyday use strop.
Pastes or sprays on a strop are used only occasionally as a touch up. And will extend the time between needing honing if done properly.
Weather you buy a hanging or paddle strop is personal preference but I would personally recommend one that has replaceable parts incase you slip up and ruin part of it. This is another reason I went with the modular paddle It is a little more than the hanging strop I was considering but is more versatile and replacement parts are less expensive.
If you buy a Shave ready razor you don't need hones right away and can send it out to be honed until you are ready to take on honing.
The round point or square point is another personal preference thing Altho the round point is a little easier to learn with for most people because the tip gives a little more forgiveness in areas like the side burns near your ear.
( Being rounded you are less likely to nick your earlobe if you brush up against it with the tip )
Also I use a mug from the kitchen for making lather for now to save money. And allot of people have found things in the kitchen section of places like Walmart or Target that work great.