Description
This straight razor starter kit comprises a 5/8 Ralf Aust straight razor – IE 280024 -which has a half hollow carbon steel blade, an extra wide paddle strop and a tub of chromium oxide paste. A pared down starter kit but one which includes a paddle strop rather than the hanging strop included in our other kits.
Without getting too technical, I recommend a half hollow blade to beginners or indeed those who have a wiry or stiffer beard hair as the grind makes the blade a little stiffer and thus easier to use. The paddle strop is rather more expensive than our basic hanging strops but can be easier to use. The extra width can accommodate the entire edge of the razor which avoids the need to adopt the “X” shape when using a narrower strop. It also means there is no need to hang the strop on anything or to worry about tensioning it. This strop has a textured face to both sides.
Chromium Oxide paste is a fine paste which not only helps polish the razor’s edge but can also make the edge feel rather less aggressive. It would be used prior to stropping on the unpasted face of the strop. Included in an information sheet on how to use chromium oxide pastes.
Paddle Strop – size approx. 16 inch/41 cm overall length, 9.5 inches/25 cm bed length, 3 inches/7.5 cm wide and 5/8 inch/18 mm thick.
Chromium Oxide paste – approx 85g including pot.
