Thread: Another newbie introduction

Welcome Paul. I'll have one with ham and cheese, please

You are into what's for most of us a great hobby and, well... obsession the least. Your lady suplied you with very good kit, and properly maintained, will serve you a lifetime. That is one great thing with straight razors, you buy quality once. And repeat this step multiple times

There are two kinds of basic strop dressings: one for the leather, the other for the linnen side. The dressing for the leather side is basicaly fat, and serves to keep the strop from aging and cracking, and to provide some drag to the razor. Should be applyed sparingly, about 3-4 pea sized drops, well rubbed in, and not very frequently, 2-3 times a year, depends on the living conditions of the strop. The dressing for the linnen side is optional, it is called the white paste, and serves to provide minimal refreshing of the edge, very light honing. It is not abrasive as the common "sharpening" pastes. I understand that the Thierres-Isard white paste is more abrasive than DOVO's. Infact, the whole purpose of the linnen strop is debated... But I use it, it cleans the edge of the razor from water before going to the leather side.

For a fast preview on straight razor shaving, I can reccomend getting a disposable blade straight razor, Shavette from DOVO. At 20+$ it is a very good way to get the feel for the straight razor, it is very good build quality, it's always sharp, and it will be useful for you when traveling or vacation time, when you do not want to bother bringing the whole arsenal for maintaining the straight razor...

have fun,
Nenad