Thread: Thinking from moving from DE shaving

Originally Posted by motero57

Obie,

find the selected model below:
spartacus black plastic

It is the most simple of the spartacus blades available in the shop. I like its sobriety! (for my firs model, I think is enough...)

I am totally sure that when It arrives, I will be thinking why the hell did I decided to put such a blade in my face..... This is how I am, I have been always interested in straight razors, and one year ago I decided to move move mact3 to DE. Now it is time to find out if Straight razors are for me !

motero57

My dear Metero57:

I don't have that one, but if Steve recommended it, it will work well for you. For a first razor, it is quite good, especially if you like its "sobriety." I like your description.

If you've always had an eye for the straight razor, you are to be commended for fulfilling that dream. Is the straight razor for you? Of course, it is, for otherwise you would not have thought about it all these years.

Now, take your time to enjoy getting to know your razor and the colorful ritual that frames the straight razor shaving world. I have often said this: throw the clock away and let your skill develop naturally. Do all the research you can. Watch all the "good" videos you can. Look at your straight razor shave as an event and immerse yourself in every aspect of it.

Is straight razor shaving for you? My good man, with that fine straight razor in your hands and your adventurous spirit, you're a natural for it.

Regards,

Obie

Originally Posted by Obie

Is straight razor shaving for you? My good man, with that fine straight razor in your hands and your adventurous spirit, you're a natural for it.

Regards,

Obie

I have really liked this !! Thanks Obie !! I will for certain throw my clock away...

Originally Posted by motero57

AlanII; I hope that I also made a safe choice as regards the Spartacus !! Have you ever tried it?

motero57

I am absolutely sure that you have. My first razor was a TI and it was a goody. Coming from Steve… the name is safe.

Hi all

Few question that I have:

1- In DE shaving, everything is based in beard reduction. Does this also applies to straights?

2.- Stropping. Do I have to strop before shaving or do I have to do it also after shave?
How many laps per session?. I normally shave every two days. Can I stroppe in the day in between or does it has to be right after shaving, or before shavign?

3.- Lynns suggestion is to learn how to use the non dominant hand for the other side of the face. Will this really help? Should I start following his suggestion or just with my dominant hand will be enough?

4.- Stropping. I read in the wiki that slow stropping will be for no good to the blade. Fast stropping is recommended. Can anyone explain me why?

Those are my question for the moment. I am sure that just posting this message i will get a new one.

Thanks folks.

I'm only a few shaves in, but I just can't see how I could shave with only my dominant hand. On the opposite side of your face, you'd have to cross under or over the arm that's doing the stretching. And then try and see what you're doing; it's shaving Twister.

Luckily, swapping hands really isn't as tricky as I though it would be - unlike completing a first pass...

Hello, Metero57:

Perhaps I can answer some of your questions.

1. Yes, beard reduction also applies to straight razor shaving. Obviously your method will be slightly different, but the process is almost the same. Don't forget the stretching with the straight razor.

2. Strop before shaving. Many of us also strop after the razor is cleaned and dried. Before shaving, I generally have 25 strokes on canvas and 50 on leather, though I vary that from time to time, depending on the razor. With some razors that come with harder steel, such as my Wackers, I change the ratio to 50/100. After the shave, I do 15 on canvas and 25 on leather. This is to clean the razor a bit more and dry it a bit more. Others have their own stropping ratios. Eventually you'll determine what works best for you.

3. I definitely would go along with Lynn's suggestion on using both hands. He is my shave guru. I used both hands on the first day, and still do. To train my non-dominant hand further, for the months after starting I used it to do various chores, such as brush my teeth with the left hand, pick things up with my left hand, and so on. Of course, there is nothing wrong with using only one hand. The choice will be yours. I suggest two hands, yes, but I also suggest using methods that work best for you.

4. Strop at the rate comfortable for you: not too fast and not too slow. What does that mean? Eventually you will determine the proper speed that is most comfortable to you, and where you can control the razor best.

Keep at it. You're on your way.

Regards,

Obie

One thing I'd like to add to everything the members have suggested to you. It takes time to get the type of shave you might be used to from your DE. Don't even bother to try for that BBS for a while.

In the process, you may be tempted to use more pressure. As you know from the DE, the name of the game is beard reduction in stages. SRS is everything you learned about in DE shaving on steroids.

DO NOT use more pressure. Check your razors sharpness and the cutting angle. Both of these together get you the pressure reduction that EVENTUALLY leads to the same closeness you were used to from a DE.

I hope you really enjoy str8 shaving.

David

My friends,

Today I received my TI. Umpack it and when running to shave.
Please find below my first straight razor experience.

I lather as usual with my DE. Brushed and used my right hand for the same side of the face. Short strockes, no pressure did everything to the jaw line. Did not try the neck.
Changed hands, and did the other part with my left hand. Did the moustache and just down below the lower lip.

Concluision: 1 nick. The blade is to large and loss the sight for part of it.
Shaving experience: This is sharp!! very carefull and missing spots that afterwards I had to shave with my DE Merkur HD.

It took my a while so I saw that my lather was drying and because of this reason, blade started to pull and catch.

I finnished taking my DE and shaving. I was totally surprised how my DE was filling!!! just like a toy to shave with... what an experience...

So my first shave was fine, not a good one in terms of BBs, but i managed to nick only 1 time and to start developing the filling of the blade.

I will keep on with it, and using both hands.

This is my first experience. After that and after drying the blade, I started stropping. I knew all the theory, but I can say that practice is the key!!! I hope I did not unsharpen my blade....

One thing that I can say is that I believe that my experience in DE shaving helps to develop faster the skill with straights.

Thats all.

Thanks,

Hello, Motero57:

Congratulations, my good man. You're doing just fine. For now forget the BBS and focus on technique. If you must still use the DE for cleanup, I see nothing wrong with it. Eventually, though, you will use the DE less and less — and will soar with your new Thiers-Issard. Stay with it: slowly, carefully and methodically. Don't use pressure and don't force the razor. Good work.

Regards,

Obie

Second shave came yesterday. No nicks so for. Did everything except the chin.
Quaility of shave? I had to use my merkur DE later. I think this is normal.
ALmost experienced no pullings. I just had them below my bottom lip, where I do not know why, It became difficult to shave.

I am happy to know that my DE experience helped me before trying with straights.

thanks,

motero57