Bought my first Straight.

I finally took the plunge and bought a straight.  My problem is I don't know where to go from here when it comes to a strop.  I really can't afford to break the bank and go expensive.  I also know that there is a learning curve when it comes to stropping so I would not want to damage a more expensive one.  So what I need is some advice on what I should get and where I can go to get it.  Any advice would really be appreciated.

Vilhauer I am keenly interested in tracking how you kick off your straight razor shaving. I am getting the bug to pick one up myself- please keep us posted!

Will do. It won't be here till the middle of next week so I probably won't give it a go until Saturday. I am going to make sure I have plenty of time the first several times. I don't want to make my wife a widow to soon.

I am happy for you, it is easy to shave with it trust me, the hard part is keeping the razor sharp

My first strop was a ruprazor strop for less than $20 shipped. It's worked fine and for the price, if you murder it you wont cry too long. As far as ruining a strop - I've never cut a strop, and I was stickly a straight razor shaver for a few years. I'm somewhat coordinated, but I can get careless and do loose focus easily, so I'm not so sure this is as big of a problem as people make it out to be.

I went ahead and purchased an Illinois #127 for $34 and $2.50 shipping.  I have to say I am pretty stoked to give it a try.  I am posting a couple of the pictures from the listing of the razor that I bought.  It was listed as a Aeka 50 razor.  Just wondering if anyone has ever heard of them and if they are an OK razor to start out with.

it looks fine. is it shipped shave ready? also i am convinced by all who know how to hone razors, that it really does not matter what razor you use, but if it can be honed. if it can than its fine.

It looks like a nice vintage razor.

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it looks fine. is it shipped shave ready? also i am convinced by all who know how to hone razors, that it really does not matter what razor you use, but if it can be honed. if it can than its fine.

Yes, it is shave ready.

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Well, I finally gave it a go a couple of days ago. To be honest I was very nervous and I could tell by the way my hands were shaking. I found it very easy to do my left side since I am left handed. The right side not so much. That is going to take some serious practice. I also found it difficult to get my whole face done before my lather dried up. I was really going slow. I may have to do one side then re-lather the other side. All in all once I was done it was not as hard as I thought it was going to be. I just feel that I can't give it the time that I would like to. Plus I only did one pass and then finished up with my open comb. There is no way that I am even close to being ready to go ATG. I am not sure that I ever will be. Maybe when I am off this next summer from teaching I will be able to give it the time it deserves. For now it will be a once or twice a week thing.

Vilhauer. Congrats on your first straight. A good edge is everything on a straight. If it's not truly shave ready, send me a PM and I'll hook you up. As was mentioned, you should rub the strop with your palm before use. That will keep it clean and conditioned. The Illinois strops will get the job done and are a good place to start. You don't want to go expensive for you first strop because chances are you'll put a few cuts in it. Watch some stropping videos on YouTube and practice the technique. You can practice with a butter knife to develop your muscle memory without risk of damage. Go slow and you'll be fine.

Glad to hear you got into this awesome hobby. All the advice you need is already here. Time and practice. You've got a nice starter setup there!

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