Thread: couple issues for new str8 shaver

Originally Posted by khaos

After trying a few soaps, each an upgrade over the last, I finally realised that the quality of a soap is directly correlated to a) its price,

Weird. Down here in the Netherlands, a popular brand is 'De Vergulde Hand' (The Gilded Hand), which sells solid, neutral soap in round plastic tubs. A 75gr tub sells for about 2 Euros, about 3 US Dollars.

It is a fine soap. Slightly prone to be too dry, but with experience it is possible to whip up a high-water content lather straight from the tub.

And a tub will last ages, even on a daily shave.

Mart

Originally Posted by cubed1

Hey DanS!

Are you by any chance using williams mug soap?
What's you lather making routine like?

Yeah, actually it is williams mug soap. And it turns out I am using a boar bristle brush.

Since I first posted, I have been improving my lather method. Now I let a tablespoon or so of hot water sit on top of the soap while I shower, and let my brush soak in hot water. After shower, wring and shake out brush and then load it with soap. Whip it up with little bits of water at a time in a small bowl until i get a somewhat decent lather. Still has some large bubbles in it, but it's pretty smooth and foamy. Massage some lather into my face and away I go.

I am getting some SRD soap in the mail and I might look for some shave cream and/or glycerin to make a better lather if it needs it.

My razor is in the mail now to get honed again. And thanks for the advice about setting the razor on a towel while I do my shave routine, great suggestion!

One last question: I noticed that there was some rust at the hinge of the razor. Is there anyway to prevent that (besides not getting the hinge wet ever)? I'm not really sure what I can do to fix that... any ideas?

Originally Posted by DanS

Yeah, actually it is williams mug soap. And it turns out I am using a boar bristle brush.

Since I first posted, I have been improving my lather method. Now I let a tablespoon or so of hot water sit on top of the soap while I shower, and let my brush soak in hot water. After shower, wring and shake out brush and then load it with soap. Whip it up with little bits of water at a time in a small bowl until i get a somewhat decent lather. Still has some large bubbles in it, but it's pretty smooth and foamy. Massage some lather into my face and away I go.
...
One last question: I noticed that there was some rust at the hinge of the razor. Is there anyway to prevent that (besides not getting the hinge wet ever)? I'm not really sure what I can do to fix that... any ideas?

Awesome! I've been experimenting recently with williams and have discovered it is a water hog. I got my best lather by soaking the puck in my biggest shave mug with my brush whilst i shower. Then I dump out most of the water (when there's just a trickle dripping out, i stop). And lather away. When the bubbles are small, I put brush to face and finish lathering there. The interesting thing about it is that when the lather dries out, don't worry and keep shaving. Somehow, the soap sinks into the skin and protects it, no matter the lather quality. I tend to grab some lather from the mug, to moisten when the lather looks a little dry but that's probably overkill. Just keep in mind that williams is best as a wet creamy lather and you should get good shaves out it.

About the rust: there are a couple of things you can do. First, always rinse your razor with hot water at the completion of your shave and dry it as best you can. Secondly, you can polish out the rust with MAAS and then oil the hinge to protect it.

I hope this helps!

Cheers,

Originally Posted by cubed1

... The interesting thing about it is that when the lather dries out, don't worry and keep shaving.

When I shaved in the past with a pre-shave oil, after some time, the oil dried to some degree. But, it was still on the skin. Rewetting made the skin as slippery as before. And, away you go.

I suspect the comment by Cubed1 about the lather drying out amounts to an observation about the oil content of the lather.

Originally Posted by LarryAndro

When I shaved in the past with a pre-shave oil, after some time, the oil dried to some degree. But, it was still on the skin. Rewetting made the skin as slippery as before. And, away you go.

I suspect the comment by Cubed1 about the lather drying out amounts to an observation about the oil content of the lather.

I would have to concur. =)

I just chalked it up to williams being a tallow based soap because glycerin based soaps don't seem to be as easy going. For them, when your lather dries out, it's gone for good.

The only annoying thing about the williams is when your lather is really really dry it still shaves, close and comfortable but it really gets gummy on the razor blade. But I can live with it - Williams is WAY too much fun to lather to stop now!

Cheers!

I started with Williams a few years ago and about three months ago I switched to the VDH sold at Walmart and the chain drug stores in my community. I found that the VDH gave a better lather than the Williams (I didn't try soaking the puck, though). It seemed that the lather still dried more than I prefer so I started adding 4-6 drops of glycerin on the puck when I started my lather. Extra water helps the drying and the glycerin made a slicker, more comfortable shave.

Originally Posted by Pabster

After that initial experience, I ordered Col. Conk Soaps

I concur with the Col. Conk's soap. I believe it is still inexspensive for around $5 and it lathers great.

I am still very new to this, but it does get better. Take care.

And teh almond scent makes me so hungry.

Originally Posted by DanS

I noticed that there was some rust at the hinge of the razor. Is there anyway to prevent that (besides not getting the hinge wet ever)? I'm not really sure what I can do to fix that... any ideas?

After I finish shaving, I dry the razor off as best as I can, then I blow really forcefully down at the pivot point, to force any excess water out. I haven't had any problems with it yet.

Also, you could maybe put a few drops of rubbing alcohol down in at the pivot point, and work the blade a little to let it get in there good. The alcohol should help get the water out of there as well. Just a thought.

I use the Proraso shaving cream and after shave from Straight Razor Designs. Both of those products are great. Highly recommended. I bought a Tweezerman badger hair brush from Amazon and i've been using it for the past 10 months. It's a low costing brush for $20 but it works great, also highly recommended. From the information i've learned from this website, using a towel to dry off the razor is okay. Just have a light touch to it.