Thread: The Long Trek to My First Shave!

SO awhile back i made my first few post and introduced myself. I have a 5/8 wade butcher frame-back w/barbers notch. That was where i started, and then started to figure out what else i needed. My grandfather insisted that i need not to be buying anything online and i can get some things local. SO after awhile and long looking he found that wal mart had soap and that was about it. Luckily i remembered that sally beauty supply might have shave accessories, since i had been there a few times when my mother had dragged me along, and Found they had cheapy soft bristle brushes there for $4. So 1.50$ for a soap, $4 for a cheapy brush, and i got a mug off the clearance shelf while in walmart for .60$.

As you can tell this is Straight razor shaving on a very tight budget. LoL.

Anyway, the one trick i knew i had up my sleeve is that Ive done lots of leather work back in the day, I helped repair saddles and also did work for the local Renaissance faire. So making a strop was just finding the right scraps lying about, and putting them together. Ill post Pics of the scrap strop later.

Back to the razor. My grandfather has a hone. One that his grandfather used to hone his razors, and has been passed down. My grandfather sharpened my razor and we went over the basics together. He added that if he'd known straight razors were worth so much he would not have thrown the shoe box full of them away so many years ago...

So I have the basics... I decide Ill start by practicing lathering and use my 5 blade meijer razor for a bit till i get comfortable with the lather. I used a drop of glycerin and wow that helped. Though I actually like the van der Hagen soap... well better than any thing Ive had before.......... i still want to try a few others.

I decide to try tonight, because i have the next two days off, and showing up at my workplace(food service) with a gaping face wound wouldn't work out.

I smoke a Cigar to calm myself, zen if you will. ( A rocky patel 1990 vintage for any of the curious Affectionados out there.)

I go shower, strop, lather, and as soon as Im about to lift my razor to my face..... KNOCK KNOCK " HEY WANT TO GO GET SOME FOOD!" My room mate starts to yell, scaring the be-jebbus out of me.

So i calm, politely say no thanks while thinking of the sinister uses i could use the blade for , and decide ive gotten this far, theres no turning back now.

I just shaved my cheeks, not gonna try for any more for a bit, but all i have to say is ...

WOW

I cant stop feeling my face........ SBB is the truth! My face feels sooooo good.

I got into this to stop buying the damn razor blades, but i really, really, really love how this feels.

So In closing, this was a great night, I have a clean shaven face, and I will be back to continue scouring the wiki and posting on straight razor shaving!

Congrats!

Its really great when things come together like that. And it just keeps getting better and better as well..! Hehe!

Congrats on making your strop as well, thats a real achievement! And its really great that you got to spend time with your grandad as well, and learn about honing.

I know you said about stopping buying razor blades, and I have (apart from the odd pack of DE blades), but unfortunately I've replaced that with RAD... Straight razors are like oxygen; When you are getting them its great, but its a real problem if the supply stops. Hehe! Heres to the RAD!

Congrats again and keep us posted!

Originally Posted by MadWolf

I smoke a Cigar to calm myself, zen if you will. ( A rocky patel 1990 vintage for any of the curious Affectionados out there.)

I have to admit that I don't smoke a cigar prior to shaving (5AM is a little early for me). However, my prefences are the LFD's. But Rocky's are nice, too.

Beyond that welcome aboard. You are starting out well. Take your time and develop your skills. Your face will be most appreciative!