It came with Van Der Hagen soap. I know it is a cheaper one, but it came with the razor and is something to start out with. I don't have a plan set in stone for the shave on saturday. I am still trying to figure out this strop. It is a smaller one, with a black leather side and a light brown leather side. Im not sure what side I am even supposed to use. Should I strop it before I shave for the first time? Any advice you have carlmaloschneider is greatly appreciated. I am completely new to this and have just been reading posts on this forum to figure stuff out. So, I am greatly appreciative of any and all help! I saw a video of honeing that I will have to find again. I believe it was gssixguns that made the video. He was doing circular motions on a norton 4/8 and I figured I would try that if the razor turns out not to be shave ready. I am trying to keep sending it out to get honed as a last resort, as the mail system out here is extremely slow and I will be changing duty stations in the next 2 months.