Hi All. Wow, what a fascinating world straight razor shaving is! Easy to see how addictive this practice/hobby/lifestyle choice can be....and how becoming a RAD can potentially give you a real pain in the right hip .

Started with a (fairly good?) shavette about 5 months ago just to see if I liked the idea. I did, then made the fatal mistake of buying a pair (yes, a pair!) of "shave ready" (ho ho) straight blades off E-Swindle. Plus a 'hone stone', thinking I was being oh so sophisticated and brave. Well, I've handled sharper hammers. Luckily sent them back for a full refund (not a lot of money, but better off in my pocket than the chancer who sold these letter-openers.)

Became aware of this site, read a bit here and elsewhere, then my lovely wife bought me a Dovo Astrale for Xmas. Pretty good entry level, I am led to believe? I had already bought a strop (from my first, abortive foray into straight razor purchases), and had a really good brush and soaps (Taylors, etc) from wet shaving with disposables before. Went into it head first, ie not doing small parts of my face to 'get the feel of things' as your experts recommend, but went straight for full face, WTG, ATG, (XTG?).Also, I have worn a goatee beard for the best part of 20 years, and latterly a more 'elaborate' moustache after 'Movember' (yes, still like the look), so my shave can be a bit elaborate ie cutting around shapes.

So far have not killed myself. Or scarred myself beyond what is acceptable, touch wood.

I am not convinced, however, that I am doing the best in terms of preserving what would be considered an optimum edge. Sill shaves pretty well, but I don't think the strop is brilliant, having spent no more than about 15 quid on it (23 dollars?). I am careful with my technique, I think, not going hell for leather at it or trying to do it like the movies. Is a better quality strop (whatever that constitutes?) worth the investment? Can anyone advise whether it is actually possible to 'strop' a razor on the heel of your hand? (Don't all laugh at once). I am just a bit shy of carrying on with the strop that I am not so sure about, thinkng that I may be dulling the bloody thing rather than improving it. Its also quite therapeutic to sit and 'strop' on my hand after having had a shave in the evening after a shower, knowing at least that I can't be doing any actual harm.

I look forward to reading through many of the posts on here with great interest, and will likely be purchasing a second blade from one of the august members on this forum - that would seem to be the righteous thing to do.

But I would like to know about the hand-stropping (and quality of strop) question. Any takers amongst the welcome party?

Thanks in anticipation.