Thread: Beginner advice sought

Let's say I used a 8k or 10K stone to hone the egde of a razor.
Is it absolutely necessary to apply some paste to the strop for stropping?
Is so what is the best available stuff in the EU?

This dovo green paste seems pricey for the amount you get:
The English Shaving Company - Edwin Jagger shaving accessories, shaving creams and aftershaves

Could this powder be used and if so how :
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/500g-Chrom...item4aaa684a0c
Damn cheap too for 1/2 kg

Many thanks

Hi vjanda, and welcome.

You mention being a beginner. 'Can't tell if you're a beginning str8 shaver or beginning with honing. The difference is somewhat important. If you're learning to shave w/ a str8, I would suggest having the razor honed by a pro - or someone who can give it a pro quality edge. I attempted to learn to shave and to hone at the same time - and had the predictable results - alot of bleeding. Learning the shave over the first 6 mo. might require a 2nd honing, but maybe not. There are others there that have skills with the stones, but Neil's edges at the stropshop Strop-Shop.Co.UK get consistent rave reviews.

For daily shaving, its is absolutely necessary to have a strop *without* abrasive sprays or pastes. If you're already experienced w/ your shaves, an excellent test for your edges is to strop and shave after finishing on the 8k level. If you can't get a close, comfortable shave from the 8k stone - there's absolutely no reason to use any higher grit stone. Here, an abrasive strop might make a lackluster edge shaveable, but the goal is to have a good 8k shave - and then you'll find your pastes and sprays perform much better. FWIW - many here don't use pastes or sprays at all. Its a matter of preference. Something few will mention about learning to hone - you *really* need your sense of humor. It will be called on regularly.

Hang around, browse, read. You'll likely find other members in or near London that you might get some tutorial time with. If you can, that will really speed up the learning.

You only apply the paste to the linen for touch ups when the blade just starts to pull at your whiskers, maybe 5-10 laps, then strop on clean linen, then leather. If you only have one strop w/ a single linen surface, turn the linen over and apply the paste on that side facing the back of the leather only. You should only need to use it once, at most twice a month or less. Yes, the second link will work. Just mix it w/ distilled water to form a paste, lightly smear it on your linen strop, then let sit overnight to dry, come back and GENTLY wipe off some of the excess w/ a paper towel. Hope that helps.

Thanks fellas, advice is much appreciated...

I have this fleabay cheap n nasty strop but both sides are leather

NEW LEATHER RAZOR STROP SHAVING PROFESSIONAL + HANDLE | eBay

One is smooth n hard and the other rough and soft.
Could I use one side without any cro2 for daily stropping and the other with the cro2 or do I need a linen strop?
If so which would be better suited for the cro2?

Thanks once more.

I agree with Pinklather, all you need is a Norton 4/8K stone and the 8K side will give you a great edge. Consider a finishing stone a luxury for later when you have more money.

For a first strop, go to your local tack/saddle shop and have them cut you a 3.5 x 28" piece of latigo or harness leather. Cut a handle on one end and poke a hole in the other for a hanging thong. Cheap: $8.00, and it works great.