Thread: Hello! Seeking advice for my first Razor (Boker)

Originally Posted by bbsupersport

Marry her quick...sounds like she's a great gal!

She is, I cant wait. 5 months to go.

I've received my razor from English, and I just have to say it looks to be in amazing condition, and truly a thing of beauty. Thanks, its obvious that you have shown great care for the Piccadilly, and I will do my best to treat it the same way.

The strop is on the way so I'm waiting till then to try out my first shave; however, I did receive my brush and soaps(honeybeespa sue-tried the Bay Rum tonight and the scent was fantastic) and aftershave so I took the opportunity tonight to practice making a lather. I found a great guide to follow and managed on the second try to make a decent lather, shaved and it was definitely an improvement for my skin over the cheapo gel-in-a-bottle, that is for sure. The aftershave was great too (Proraso).

The anticipation builds!

Originally Posted by simatta

She is, I cant wait. 5 months to go.

I've received my razor from English, and I just have to say it looks to be in amazing condition, and truly a thing of beauty. Thanks, its obvious that you have shown great care for the Piccadilly, and I will do my best to treat it the same way.

The strop is on the way so I'm waiting till then to try out my first shave; however, I did receive my brush and soaps(honeybeespa sue-tried the Bay Rum tonight and the scent was fantastic) and aftershave so I took the opportunity tonight to practice making a lather. I found a great guide to follow and managed on the second try to make a decent lather, shaved and it was definitely an improvement for my skin over the cheapo gel-in-a-bottle, that is for sure. The aftershave was great too (Proraso).

The anticipation builds!

We (wife & I) celebrated 25 years married this past May and 33 years since our first date on Nov. 14, 1975. I was also fortunate to find the right gal, she's still a keeper! Hope the same for you!

It's nice when you spend your money and can be so satisfied with the purchase...sounds really nice.

I really like the Proraso shave cream as well, a very invigorating shave, love that Italian menthol...and a real bargain too!

Sounds like your getting yourself set up real nice! Enjoy and savour your shaves...they can be Zen-like!

Had my first straight razor shave today. The strop was leaning by the doorway at 11AM, so I practiced on it with a butterknife for awhile, and also practiced making some more lather in preparation for this evening. The gal said she wanted to be home when I shaved in case she needed to bring me to the emergency room.

Took a long hot shower, built up a nice lather, and finally rinsed the oil off my razor. It took me awhile to hold it so I could see what I was doing to my face. I admit I was a little shaky for a couple seconds there at the start, then I went at it. Started with a pretty steep angle that pulled the hairs but finally found a good angle and soon enough was shaving with the grain down my sideburn area. It got easier the longer I practiced. I was so happy with the results, no nicks or cuts, that I even went across the grain on the sides, and even shaved the chin/neck area and a little bit under the nose. At that point my skin was screaming at me to stop (20 or so passes of practicing with the razor will exfoliate a good amount of skin I guess) so I finished with my disposable and put on a nice big helping of aftershave.

All in all not great or comfortable at all, but from what I have read for a first try with the straight, I think I'm doing alright. I'll probably let my face heal for awhile before my next shave, it is a bit tender. But I can't wait to pick it up again. It was definitely a challenge.

Great job on the first shave! Sounds like you did well.

You might want to only go over the same spot once or twice without relathering - any more than that and you risk serious razor burn.

Keep at it, it only gets better from here!


Mark

Second shave with the open razor tonight. Shaved in between last time and now with the safety to keep burn at a minimum. Tonight was awesome. Huge improvement from last time. I found my angle! Finally. The razor was cutting close and felt great, I think it also helped that I let the razor do most of the work, I put way too much pressure down the first time when I scraped my top layer of skin off. Afterward, still no nicks and this time no razor burn at all. I even graduated to the area under the nose, but the chin still eludes me for now.

Good times.

Wow, congrats simatta!
Sounds like a very positive experience.

I've tried the sideburn/cheek area twice now with not great results, but no nicks...just not a very good shave. I think my razor needs to be honed. But still feels good to get the feel for it!

Originally Posted by BeBerlin

Welcome to SRP. Just for the record, however, it is Böker, not Boker. Do not let that stop you, though. Umlauts notwithstanding, this razor will give you pleasure. Eventually.

Umlauts are so over rated!

Originally Posted by JMS

Umlauts are so over rated!

Ì dön't thínk sö.