This place is too cool. a real nice bunch of folks, too. well, i was SR shaving for about a week with a Parker sr1, with the disposable blades. it was ok, but nicking myself of course. then it started clicking for me, and the nicking is at a minimum. then i bought a used SR from one of the members here, and i must say, i like it much, much better than the parker. i don't have a strop yet, but plan on buying from SR Designs a Dovo SR, and a 3" premium 1 strop in a couple more weeks. for right now, i'm using the SR and stropping on newspaper, using a piece of 2" styrofoam backing beneath the newspaper. i've seen where others have stropped knives with newspaper because of its ever so slight abrasive properties. for right now, the stopping seems to be working, but i have no basis for comparison. when i get the leather strop, i plan on stropping first on chromium oxide on balsa for a slight touch up, then on the leather and see how that goes. right now, i am so hooked on this new hobby, i am finding it hard to contain myself! i am just having more fun than i thought a hobby could bring.

this will definitely be a lifelong endeavor and ritual i will savor every morning.

nice meeting all of you, and have a good day.
pat