Beginner with a thin wild beard. Help!

First off, I am so thankful and happy SRP exists and everyone on the forums has been very helpful. Thank you!

The more I read the more questions I have regarding my own setup.

I have a thin wild beard that grows somewhat normal on my face but on my neck it grows every which way possible. I shave once a week with a multi blade razor as that is all my neck can tollerate. When I have gotten good straight razor shaves at the barber it was so smooth, no nicks, no burns, no bumps, and it lasted for 3 to 4 days. That is what made me interested in learning how to straight razor shave myself.

I have shaved several times with a "No Sharpen" straight razor (disposable if you will). Each time I had nicks ranging from a couple to numerous but I was not as educated as I am now regarding pre-shave procedures and products and shaving techniques; more thanks to the forums and Lynn's DVD.

I recently received a Dovo Inox Pearlex 5/8 from Straight Razor Designs with a 3" Black Latigo Leather and 3" SRD Premium Fabric strop.

I know I need to strop with the leather before each shave but if I only shave once a week or once every other week with the straight razor till I get comfortable with it how often should I have to use the Premium Fabric strop and should I use a diamond or paste spray? If yes, which one?

Thanks again!

You should use the regular fabric strop before each leather stropping. Usually people do 20 on the linen, 50 on the leather, or somewhere there abouts. Its a good idea to do a short stropping after your shave to dry off the very edge and remove any gunk that is still there, but hard to see.

Don't worry about diamond sprays for now, just worry about proper stroping, face prep, and shaving technique. Diamond sprays and other forms of pasted strops are used to touch up a slightly dulling edge. Your razor should work for you some time before needing this, especially if you only shave once a week.

+1 to using the fabric on every stropping. You should, at least, strop as many times on the leather as you do on the fabric. More on the leather is better. After every shave, I strop about 15 fabric & 20 or 30 leather. Before each shave, I strop about 20 fabric & 40 leather. The reason I strop right after shaving is to help further dry the razor. After you wipe any water off, the friction of stropping helps further dry the blade.

+1 to your decision to get the 3" Latigo strop as you won't be sorry. I've had one for the last year and love it. I wouldn't worry about pastes or sprays for the time being. Get your shaving & stropping down first. Once you have gotten use to those, you will begin to see where you have other needs.

As far as shaving goes, just take it slow, learn the razor & learn your beard. Don't be dissapointed on your first few shaves as you will soon begin to find yourself trying different directions and learn what works best on your beard.

Good luck and happy shaving!

I use the fabric strop every time..unpasted..don't put paste on your everyday strop. I do 30 fabric and 60 leather. Hope this helps :)