1) I'd recommend just using a tissue or very soft cloth to wipe the oil off, that should be sufficient
2) As someone else mentioned 20 on polyweb/linen and 50 on the leather
3) I prefer to have my strop anchored about 5 feet from the ground and hold if with my off hand, and hold it with the edge closest to me slightly angled downward.
4) People recommend that you start with just sideburn down to jawline. I say only do what you're comfortable with. If you feel any uneasiness about doing it, stop.
5) I prefer my lather somewhat thinly spread on my face, though I make the consistency of it more like whipped cream than like suds.

If you feel as though you may damage the edge of your razor learning to strop, lay your strop on a flat solid surface and strop it there until you get a feeling for it. Watch several videos of others stropping before you do so yourself. I also recommend you wipe your blade dry after each time you rinse off the lather and shavings. Once you're finished shaving, lay the blade over a dry fresh towel open, and let it sit and dry in the air until you finish dressing or whatever you have to do to maximize drying time. I recommend mineral oil for your after shaving maintenance. Some people also like to strop the razor before oiling to align the blade. Congrats on your first shave! Cheers!

-Dye

Quote Originally Posted by joepa150 View Post
I just recieved my first straight razor. I am really excited to get started. I just have a few questions.

1)Do I just rinse the oil of or should I use soap to get it off?
2) I have read that you should strop first before using. If so should I strop on the fabric, leather, or both? How many strokes per side?
3) How do most of you mount your strops? Low or high? What mounting hardware?
4) I am going to start on my dominant sideburn area. SRP beginners guide suggest doing this and finishing with normal razor. If things go well, have you guys just continued with the straight razor or am I just looking for trouble?
4) As far as your lather, does thick or thin lather work better? Soap or cream? I usually create a nice thick meringue looking lather when I shave with DE?


I am afraid that my inexperience in stropping will cause me to dull the razor before I could even use it.