Hey all,

I have received a razor from my brother which seems to be this one: DOVO Straight Razors

I have also received a strop, which is a German style one from Dovo, resembling though not exactly this one:
Google Image Result for http://www.koordenwinkel.eu/shaving/images/T/DSC_3556-150.jpg

The problem I have is using this strop correctly. Basically, I received some 'green' stick with it, to rub on the green part of the strop. On the other side is a far softer type of leather (kinda like leather turned inside out, if that makes sense).

Now how do I go about treating this strop and stropping correctly? I called the shop and I had to rub some of that green stuff on the green side of the strop (I could have guessed that :-)). They were kind enough to invite me over to give, free of charge, a 'shaving session' to learn to shave and strop etc... properly. While this is all very nice, I live quite far and need some help from you guys, as I can not wait to start using this!

Could someone be so kind as to teach me a little bit how to treat this kind of strop and how to 'strop' properly with this type?

I've been wanting a straight razor forever now, however I couldn't find one, and seeing that my brother apparently spent quite some cash on it, I definately want to use it and handle it with the care it deserves!

My first shave with it (I used it without stropping) was absolutely relaxing, especially with all the brushing your face with the special soap and so on before shaving :-) The shaving itself was quite the challenge and I made the rookie mistake of going sideways at first (I mean, making a slicing move, instead of going straight down) and well, I got one nice cut hehe, it was cut so fine it didn't even bleed! Anyhow, I would truly appreciate some help on how to treat my strop and how to strop correctly with this kind of strop (what side to start and on what side to finish? Should I always put the green stuff? And how do I apply it? And how often? And what does the green stuff do?).

Also, I noticed a tiny spot of rust on it as he's been keeping it stored for a while now for this occasion. I called the shop and they will take care of it, but in the future, how would I go about taking care of this myself?



Thanks a lot!


Edit: My strop is almost exactly this one: http://www.koordenwinkel.eu/shaving/...C_3557-450.jpg

Only that mine has a green side, and not a red side. So 'green paste' has to be applied regularly..