Dumb question...

[dewey81]

That I probably already know the answer to. I finally got my first straight razor in the mail today, a brand new Dovo. I plan on shaving with it tomorrow, can't wait! But my question is....the razor came with oil on it, should I rinse\wipe it off before I do the preshave strop? Newb question I know, but I am one! lol

[nessmuck]

Yep,rinse it off and wipe with some tissue,be careful not to hit the blade on the faucet!! You should not strop it either on your first shave.

[nessmuck]

I assume it was honed by a pro?

[dewey81]

Yes it was. Honed and stropped. I just assumed I should strop it even if its new since thats all I seem to read about.

[teemus]

If it was purchased from a reputable vendor like SRD, I wouldn't strop it before your first shave as it was probably stropped after it was honed. Just my 0.02 but its your razor to do with what you like.

Edit: Also, I would avoid stropping it before your first shave because if you've never stropped a razor before, it's very easy to ruin a sharp edge and your first shave will suffer not only suffer from poor technique from being a beginner, but also from a rolled edge. I wrecked my edge learning to strop.

[BigJim]

+1 to the above. Don't strop a razor you just got from a honemiester. SRD, Whippeddog, and probably some other vendors (including the guys in the classifieds here) will have your razor ready to go right away. Stropping it WILL change the edge of the blade...it may or may not hurt it. BUT, with your first shave you definitely want to get a feeling for how the razor SHOULD feel without having to worry about if your razor is not up to snuff.

Good luck!

[Birnando]

Not a stupid question at all!
Like the others have said, wipe it clean and shave with it. Strop it very carefully after you're done.