getting ready for first shave but have some questions before i do.

[krism]

ok gents i am getting ready to do my first shave. i purchased two razors from whippedd.com as recommended here. got both razors. i also purchased the poor mans strop kit. before i shave even though the kit is shave ready i would like to know when i am done the directions say to strop it. but i dont know which is the leather side to use and which i do not on the strop. the kit also came with a piece of wood one side painted red the other green can anyone explain what this is? and what it is used for? THANKS

[RayG]

Not familiar with the website you mentioned but:
- you strop on the smooth side
- sounds like a balsa with dovo green and red pastes. Leave those for when the razors need touching up. Even then, red is too coarse for just touching up. Dovo green's grit rating is debatable whether it is 0.5 like CrOx or much coarser. Check with the seller to be sure.

[krism]

sounds good. sorry ment to type Whipped Dog Straight Razor Sales should the razor be wet when i strop it or dry?

[BigJim]

Hey, I know exactly what you're talking about.

1) Don't strop your razors before you use them the first time. WHY? Because Larry hones them up good for us new guys to get started with and you could potentially mess up the edge before you ever get to shave.

2) When you strop (before your second shave with the same blade, and before each shave thereafter) use the smooth side of the leather. Be CERTAIN to read the Wiki in the menu bar above for a great HOW TO.

3) After a month or three of stropping your blade will begin to pull and become uncomfortable. Switch to your second razor, and STROP your first razor on the balsa paddle. The paint is actually paste that helps to sharpen up the razor and refine the edge. Use the red first, then the green (I think, but check your instructions or ask Larry via e-mail) to restore the edge. Read the Wiki again and make sure you're stropping it correctly on the balsa. If you have questions/struggles be sure to ask.

Go get it (after reading the Wiki)! And keep us up to date!

Peace,

[LarryAndro]

The balsa strop's green side is 0.3 micron chromium oxide and the red side is 0.1 micron iron oxide. Both of these abrasives are from Kremer Pigments. (Sorry for posting this again below. I thought this response was lost.)

[LarryAndro]

sounds good. sorry ment to type Whipped Dog Straight Razor Sales should the razor be wet when i strop it or dry?

The razor should be dry when stropping on leather and balsa. As already stated, you strop day by day on leather. When the blade dulls a little, you can refreshen it with the balsa strop. The balsa strop's green side is 0.3 micron chromium oxide and the red side is 0.1 micron iron oxide (from Kremer Pigments.)

[krism]

thank you very much guys! and thank you very much larry i am very pleased with the product! i think ive gotten a few friends interested il be sure to send them your way as well.

[BigJim]

The razor should be dry when stropping on leather and balsa. As already stated, you strop day by day on leather. When the blade dulls a little, you can refreshen it with the balsa strop. The balsa strop's green side is 0.3 micron chromium oxide and the red side is 0.1 micron iron oxide (from Kremer Pigments.)

There's the man himself, stepping in to bring clarity to the issue. I had the color progression wrong, so...Thanks Larry for correcting my error.

Peace,