Thread: Newbie questions

Bumping again. I'll try to sum up my questions because I can tend to be more descriptive than I need to at times.

1. I'm having trouble stropping my straight with a hanging style strop, on the leather side. Even when it's very taut, it just doesn't feel right. The canvas side makes a re-assuring noise when I strop on that side (kind of a "zing" high pitched noise). The razor's edge isn't as flat against the leather as it is on the canvas side. I wonder if I should be using a paddle style strop instead, being a newbie, since it's already very flat. What do you think? FWIW I'm not using pastes - just the leather side of a canvas/leather strop.

2. I have a pretty thick beard and I don't think my whiskers are as soft as they need to be, or could be, when shaving. I've shaved right after showering, I've tried the hot towel route (before and after later). I've even put olive oil on my face before shaving, as someone recommended. What other tips do you suggest to get my whiskers as moist as possible? I seem to recall some people using a shaving oil. Could someone elaborate on the oil(s)?

I'm continuing to get better and more comfortable at shaving, and I enjoy that process. I even shaved against the grain the other day (after with, then across). Had a little razor burn on my neck though but few nicks. To sum up the two issues, 1) I'm not confident that I'm stropping properly (thus, I think my straight is a little dull - it doesn't pass the hanging hair test) and 2) I need help with my prepping. I'm getting a little discouraged because of these roadblocks so I'd really appreciate some replies. Thanks in advance!

Just search the threads for 'Strop Cupping' or 'Concave Strop'. Sounds like your strop may need some breaking in.
And you don't need to be paranoid about keeping it super taut just that you don't push down hard on it.

Sounds like your prep is fine. All you need is a good lather & a shaveready razor... and practice..

One way you can keep the incidents of chipped blades down is that if you rinse your blade while shaving ever so often, After you rinse the blade turn the blade toward the bottom of the sink as you withdraw it from the water(and upwards) and if your razor should happen to strike the faucet or tap, it will strike in the spine and not the blade. This method will at least save you 90% of the time.Accidents happen! This might help save some aggravating experiences.It works for me.............Jim C.