Choosing a strop and other accessories

[Ciscokid8620]

Hi all, this is my first post on this site.. I'm pure newbie

I have ordered a couple new straights (Friedr Baurmann & Sohne - Monopol; and a J. Elliot Hollow Ground).
I'm looking at ordering a strop now and have been checking out Illinois strops online. It seems there a few different kinds and I'm unsure, as a beginner, which to pick. Any suggestions!?!

I also am looking into getting a whetstone, in case these blades aren't quite ready for shaving. Was looking at either the Norton 4000/8000 or a Taidea 3000/8000.

Do you think this is all I need to get started? I am going to finish using up my old shaving gel for now.. and then I plan to make a tallow based soap myself since I already have lots of verry nice creamy tallow.

I have read a bit about pastes that may applied to the strop, but I'd like to avoid this for now if they aren't completely necessary.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!! Can't wait for my first wet shave..

 

[buca3152]

You may want to consider a bench or paddle strop as a first as hangers can increase the chance of rolling the edge which means you dull it. Im not ashamed to say it took me a bit until I got the strop down. Star shaving has some as well as others. As far as hones go, theres a lot out there. A norton 4/8 is very common for a first hone. I would get a bevel setter also(1k) but you can do quite a bit with it. Pastes I would hold off untill you get good with the leather as a leather strop can do damage, a pasted strop can do alot more. That will come soon. As far as need goes, you dont need much, but you just might want alot of stuff. I have too many hones and strops and blades. But its the hobby, you dont have to unless you want to. Dont be afraid to ask questions as the fellows here are very helpful. There are hones strops and other items for sale sporadically in the bst, vendor and hobbyist forums, so good deals can be had there. There are also lots of guys who would help you with a honing for postage. Good luck. This is a great place to be.