Hello and first straight razor shave

[earthfirst85]

Hello Everyone,

I've been checking out this site for about a month while deciding if straight razor shaving was going to be for me. And I would first like to thank everyone for posting some awesome advice. As a newcomer to the brethren of straight razor shavers, some of your advice was extremely valuable in helping me decide what characteristics to look for in a first blade. I finally settled on a Dovo from The Superior Shave.com and was able to get one of the kits that was offered. I'll post a picture below, but it came with some pretty good gear.

I had a quick question I was hoping someone out there could solve. I stropped the blade before I shaved using just the leather side. I've read a few places that this should be done each time before putting the blade to skin. But I received some pastes with my kit. Should I apply the pastes to the leather and fabric sides before I strop pre-shave? Or should the leather side be kept clear of pastes and use that before each shave? I'm thinking I'll have to purchase another strop that I can use the pastes on and strop on that one after I hone for the first time.

I'm sure I'll get a good response from the pros out there. I'll be posting in the Nib and Brown Leaf threads as well and hope to be an active contributor to the site.

Thanks from your Canadian brother!

 

[Niles]

Welcome to B&B. I'm not a straight user, but I'm sure someone will come along soon and be able to answer your question.

 

[goatee]

paste is for canvas side. truthfully though, i never got that. i dont use my canvas, never even had a paste.... i just use the leather only. IDK. im not sure what the paste is for.
i strop the leather before and after every shave. (even between passes sometimes) i get great shaves too. i also hone my own blades. have you done that? have you shaved with it yet? most blades need to be honed before use. VERY few razors actually come shave ready. since you are new,,, take my advice and have it sent out to be professionally done. once its honed, all you have to do is strop it before and after each use.
good luck to you! and welcome to your new hobby!

 

[celestino]

The paste should be applied only on the canvass and not the leather. The paste will eliminate the need to hone your razor for a longer period of time than usual depending on how much you use your razor and how thick your beard is. i am not an expert on this and i am sure a more experienced lad will come along and confirm this.
Welcome to the forum.

 

[Snuff-Belgium]

The White paste should go on the linen side and has no real abrasive qualities, it just clogs the pores of the linen and makes for a somewhat better feel during stropping IMHO. Just put some small dots along the length and work it in with your fingers (one tube should be enough for 2-3 strops)

The yellow paste is leather conditioner and used to avoid that the leather cracks over time, this is not necessary IMO but if you use it do so very sparingly, again no abrasive qualities.

If you're looking for paste to sharpen the razors you need red and green or chromium oxide.

If you want to use that put it on a separate strop (I've used linen, leather and felt for this)

Goatee is right, get the razor honed before you use it (dovo's don't come shave ready in my experience). Nothing more discouraging than a dull razor when you learn to shave with a straight! Good luck, remember lots of practice!