About to Start

I'm about to take the plunge and switch to straights. I have wet shaving supplies and I've read Joel's interactive guide a couple of times. In looking at what I will need, I'm hoping y'all (yes I'm in the deep south) will check my list and see if I'm missing anything or getting something I don't need before I spend the money.

I'll post a WTB for a 5/8 round hollow grind shave ready razor.

1. Tony Miller heirloom starter strop. (I'll add dressing if not included.
2. Norton 4/8k hone. Do I need this as I don't plan to use it at first as I plan to get a shave ready razor
3. Tony Miller 4 side paddle strop w 3 micron, 1 micron, .5 micron and .25 micron diamond paste.

Thanks for your help.

The barber I bought my (new & shaveready) razor from said I shouldn't start honing until I needed it.

If you get the 4-sided paddle strop get the 0.5 micron green chrome rather than the 0.25 diamond. With this and a shave ready blade you should not need a hone for several weeks (or months).

You won't need dressing with a new TM (even practice) strop. Just rub it with your hands. The oil from your skin will be all you need on it for at least a year.

Have fun!

Thanks for the advice.

So I could skip both the .5 and .25 diamond and just get the .5 micron green?

tg16 said:

Thanks for the advice.

So I could skip both the .5 and .25 diamond and just get the .5 micron green?

Click to expand...

You could if you want one side for plain leather (but you have a hanging strop listed for that). But I prefer a 3,1,0.5 diamond paste on 3 sides with the green chrome on the 4th side to put the final polish on the blade. IMHO the .25 diamond leaves too harsh an edge.

Even though you have 2 -0.5 micron grit sizes, the chrome particle has a much smoother shape and is less agressive than the diamond paste resulting in a smoother feeling edge.