Thread: Brand New Guy...couple questions

First off...Hi to everyone, I'm glad I found this place. Just picked up my first straight razor last night..its a Thiers Issard carbon blade, stainless scales. I also got all the accessories as well... my biggest concern is breaking in the strop, its a Dovo 2' with canvas on the opposite side. I was told at the Art of Shaving store, just to rub in the yellow dovo paste and work it in to the leather. Anything else I need to do before I begin?
thanks in advance

the strop should not need to get broke in, just take your time and don't get upset when you nick it. If you got the razor from the AOS store as well you should send it to one of the honers listed in the classified section, since it is most likely not shave ready. take your time and don't get impatient it took us all a while to get good at everything. Hope this helps

Congrats on taking the leap!!! i assume THIS is the razor you got correct? If so i haven't used it but when was starting out was gonna buy it but after handling it and talking with the AoS sales guy didn't based on its weight and off center balance.....that is not to say you didn't get a GREAT razor just something to look out for while starting out. There is a good chance the blade wil need to be brought up to Shave Ready as a lot of times blades from the factory are not quite there yet.....but i have read a few things that TI has stepped up their factory edge so maybe strop it and try it out on a SMALL section of your cheek and if it does not feel smooth and has ANY pull or tug stop and send it to be honed!

As for the strop i would hold off on using the yellow paste! i use only the oils from my hands as a conditioner and it works great! prior to washing our hand pull the strop taught and rub your hand on the leather side for a little bit and you should be good to go!

Only other thing i would do before starting is read THIS you have come to a GREAT community with a treasure trove on information and helpful ppl....so WELCOME!!!!

EDIT: OH and dont be afraid to ASK any questions you may have!!! we were all newbies at some point!!!

Welcome. Like Benjaman said I just rub the leather with my palm and let the natural oils condition it. And also Amy question just ask, and enjoy you trip to the perfect shave

Thanks for the help everyone..
@Benjamin-that is the razor I purchased, it is a little heavier than the others that I looked at, but I like the feel of it, as well as the durability factor. I am getting ready to leave for Afghanistan and will need to have a close shave every day. The notes from the factory state that it is shave ready and should not be stropped for several shaves. As for the strop itself..well, I have already been working in the paste a little at a time. The strop was really stiff when I got it, and like I said..used the advice from the store...hopefully it isnt ruined.
Thanks again for all the help

Originally Posted by CowanX7

Thanks for the help everyone..
@Benjamin-that is the razor I purchased, it is a little heavier than the others that I looked at, but I like the feel of it, as well as the durability factor. I am getting ready to leave for Afghanistan and will need to have a close shave every day. The notes from the factory state that it is shave ready and should not be stropped for several shaves. As for the strop itself..well, I have already been working in the paste a little at a time. The strop was really stiff when I got it, and like I said..used the advice from the store...hopefully it isnt ruined.
Thanks again for all the help

I wouldn't say you have ruined the strop, but no way for me to know for sure not seeing or feeling it, but i would hold off putting any more of the paste on it for a while!

as for using the strop you should strop before OR after EVERY shave (some guys do both its a YMMV thing and i only do it Before my shaves) most guys will use both the canvas/linen side and the leather some just use leather........again YMMV and experimentation is king here! I personally do around 30-50 on the linen side and 60-100 on the leather side (usually keeping the leather side at double the linen side)

It sounds like you have already shaved with this razor is that correct???

I havent used it yet, probably tomorrow when I can see clearly the best direction for shaving. I wont put anything else on the strop. My plan is to try a small spot, and see if it tugs. I was told by the gentleman at the AOS store to warm the blade on the canvas first, then strop it just a few times.

I'm not sure i know what the guy ment by "warm the blade" on the canvas but yes start with a few lapps on that and then use the leather side.....I don't maybe do 20/40.....i will say when i get a blade back from honing from a member here it doesn't need to be stropped the first time but i would probably do it with a from factory razor.

Originally Posted by CowanX7

Thanks for the help everyone..
@Benjamin-that is the razor I purchased, it is a little heavier than the others that I looked at, but I like the feel of it, as well as the durability factor. I am getting ready to leave for Afghanistan and will need to have a close shave every day. The notes from the factory state that it is shave ready and should not be stropped for several shaves. As for the strop itself..well, I have already been working in the paste a little at a time. The strop was really stiff when I got it, and like I said..used the advice from the store...hopefully it isnt ruined.
Thanks again for all the help

the yellow dovo paste is fine it was probably not needed but it will not hurt the strop. and like others have said... you are most likely going to need that blade honed although you stand a better chance that a TI will be shave ready from the factory then you would with a Dovo... at least that is my experience

Don't hurry! Take your time on that first shave, relather as much as needed. It will go farther in the long run. Work hard at shaving with the grain of your beard.

I have found for me that using a preshave oil, 50/50 olive/almond oil really reduces burn and moisturizes like nobodies business. It is a very large learning curve that only you can dictate. Wish I had started 30 years ago.

THANKS for serving our country.