need advice for maintaining edges on blades

as i am new to open razor shaving i am eager to get going.i am using a disposable type at the moment to shave and i enjoy the results. I bought a razor and strop as a kit with paste however i am unsure how exactly to use it morefor the sake of damageto the blade. I know my own face, but however the razors i have do not feel sharp enough to use as i tried briefly today :rant: can someone let me know what to do as there are no barbers in the town or area i live in, in scotland. and if my equipment is of any use...

Can your provide us with some info on the razor? Pic, URL, name etc

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-ROCKWELL-S...QQcmdZViewItem. This item was bought on ebay, i wasnt sure when purchasing but when i saw the solingen part i thought it must be ok even at the price. Other razor is just awful, i wont embarrass myself by putting it up here but i did read you should strop it before use anyways .
Thanks coully

Hi Coully,

I'm afraid this Rockwell razor is a Pakistani low quality razor you won't have much fun with. I haven't owned one by myself, but all reports here and on the Yahoo forum are rather negative.

As a recommendation for a good start: buy a razor from one of the guys here (David Uthed, Lynn, Randy or one of Tony Millers starter kits) which all will come shave ready. I'm pretty sure these good guys will happily step into this thread and will help you there.

Sorry for your (apparently) bad luck, keep going at it,
-Axel-

well thats something that they dont tell you, will i keep it as a letter opener or practice sharpening it..I would love to hear from one of the guys and get advice, as no-one here can help me , in my home town, i do have a reasonable budget but the time of year is bad and so having made a few bad purchases i think it will be next year befor i really treat myself...but as the exchange rate is great i may sooner.
\thanks again aschaab

The razor you have is worthless. The quality of steel used by that manufacturer is very poor and the grinding is also of poor quality.
Don't feel bad, a lot of us have gotten burned by the "Paki" razors.

Before you buy another straight razor post a message here and we will give you a thumbs up or down on your proposed purchase.

Hope this helps,

Sorry to hear about your bad luck there, Coully. That strop should be good enough and I assume the paste is a conditioning paste to keep it supple. As for a blade, I have to recommend getting one from a member here as it WILL be a good shaver and shave sharp ready to go.

http://www.billysblades.com/Straighr%20Razors.htm
^Artistic Genious whose work is going fast^

http://www.thewellshavedgentleman.com/
^THE Strop Master. His pasted paddles will keep it keen^

Tony's strops are also located in the User Gallery here under Gear For Sale.
Lynn's the chief honemeister so look in his folder too (under Lynn's, not Gear For Sale)

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