Your best bet is to go to
http://www.straightrazorplace.com/forums/index.php. There you will finds tons of information on the care and use of straight razors, including 'How-To" videos.
I've shaved with a straight razor most of my adult life, and there is no comparisen. Sometimes, it's the best part of the day. Just go slow and be deliberate. Shaving is YOUR time. Use the hot towels, and classic after shaves and colognes (I'm a Bay Rum, Lucky Tiger and Pinaud man). There is nothing like that fresh old-time barbershop feeling to start or end the day with.
I only hone my razors when they won't sharpen good anymore. Maybe once a year, if that much. Until you learn how to hone them properly, it may be worth it to send the razor to Lynn at the website I linked you to above, and let him hone it for you. He is a master on these. He charges me $25.00 and it's like a brand new razor when I get it back. He even cleans, repairs and polishes the blades if they need it. If the blade is not honed properly, it can be ruined very easily.
I never use pastes or linen on my blades. The leather is sufficient and does not abrade the blade. If you use the proper sharpening technique, you don't really need all that other stuff.
To sharpen your blade, stretch your strap very tightly, and lay the blade flat against the leather. Stroke away from the blade, aiming for the opposite corner of the strop so that the entire length of the blade gets stropped. Do not put any pressure on the blade. Just let the weight of the blade do the work. At the end of the stroke, flip the razor over by the spine and pull it back the same way you went up. Go slow and you will soon develop your own personal rhythm. Repeat this about 50-80 times. If it isn't sharp enough, you will feel it 'pull' as you shave with it. Just sharpen it more until it glides smoothly.
You will need to re-sharpen the blade several times as you shave to get that 'Barber Shop' close shave. I divide my face into four sections and strop the razor about 25 times in between each section. The website has killer videos on how to properly shave.
I own a Dovo, a Genco and a Double-Duck. I am looking for a Wade and Butcher right now.
Once you shave properly with a straight razor, you'll never be satisfied with a safety razor again.
Welcome to the club!
