Thread: Just ordered my first straight razor and have some questions

Hi Starker,
+1 with the above.
I have to say that if you hate shaving as much as you say and it,s a chore - maybe str8 shaving isn,t for you.
Examine your motivation-shaving with str8s is not easy and the learning curve is long and arduous and requires a kind of "love" of shaving.All us guys on SRP are shaving nuts! -we enjoy all the minutae of shaving -every little detail!!
Also it (if you do it right ) leads to all kinds of expenditure on honing,pre/post shaving creams & soaps,etc which ain,t cheap!
If you just want to get rid of beard- maybe try a D/E (My Parker Butterfly is a beaut!!) and for the 8 weeks i used it i only cut myself 2/3 times.Plus it,s all over in 2 minutes!+ razor blades are cheap as well.
However if you want to learn a skill and have the necessary nerve and determination to succeed then look no further-we are all here to help!!
Don,t shoot the messenger.
Kind regards
Noggs

Originally Posted by noggs247

Hi Starker,
+1 with the above.
I have to say that if you hate shaving as much as you say and it,s a chore - maybe str8 shaving isn,t for you.
Examine your motivation-shaving with str8s is not easy and the learning curve is long and arduous and requires a kind of "love" of shaving.All us guys on SRP are shaving nuts! -we enjoy all the minutae of shaving -every little detail!!
Also it (if you do it right ) leads to all kinds of expenditure on honing,pre/post shaving creams & soaps,etc which ain,t cheap!
If you just want to get rid of beard- maybe try a D/E (My Parker Butterfly is a beaut!!) and for the 8 weeks i used it i only cut myself 2/3 times.Plus it,s all over in 2 minutes!+ razor blades are cheap as well.
However if you want to learn a skill and have the necessary nerve and determination to succeed then look no further-we are all here to help!!
Don,t shoot the messenger.
Kind regards
Noggs

+1 on the motivations.

I disliked shaving as well...
Shaving with a str8 taught me a lot about wet shaving.

Enough that today I can pull out a str8 or a DE (depending
on the phase of the moon and my mood) and get a
smooth fine shave. I no longer aspire to a BBS but
when they happen life is good. Shaving can now be
pleasant....

Thinking back the one key lesson I learned is that Santa
knows nuttin about shaving. i.e. Never trust a non shaver
with advice about shaving. One exception was the
nice little gal at AOS that sold me a fine brush a couple
years back. OK she just rang it up but what the hey
she did not lead me astray.

Time to start my new christmas list.

Originally Posted by noggs247

Hi Starker,
+1 with the above.
I have to say that if you hate shaving as much as you say and it,s a chore - maybe str8 shaving isn,t for you.
Examine your motivation-shaving with str8s is not easy and the learning curve is long and arduous and requires a kind of "love" of shaving.All us guys on SRP are shaving nuts! -we enjoy all the minutae of shaving -every little detail!!

I think most of my dislike of shaving is because of how frustrating it is to use cartridge razors, thirty seconds in and the blades are already hopelessly clogged. I enjoy doing things the old fashioned way, I like to cook from scratch, build things, and maintain my own vehicles, appliances, and tools. I work a lot in wilderness areas and do a lot of bushcraft activities and carving/whittling in my free time, so I've got quite a few knives and a bunch of sharpening stones. I've always thought straight razors were neat, but never got around to trying one until now. I think I'll enjoy shaving once I learn how to use the straight razor properly. I probably won't end up on a quest for the "perfect" shave, but I think I'll be able to make an enjoyable experience out of shaving.

Starker,

Good for you...I hope your foray into the world of str8 razor shaving will be an enjoyable one.

++1 on the advice offered in the previous posts. Although the razor you purchased is not recommended by SRP, the person you ordered it from will do everything in his power to make it shave ready for you. The razor & strop set he offers, which I presume you ordered, is a good entry level combo.

Consider purchasing some decent shaving soap or cream as well as a good quality, inexpensive brush. The addition of these two items to your shaving accoutrements will increase your enjoyment of str8 razor shaving.

Take care--and smooth shaving.

Starker,
I am pretty new to str8 shaving, but as someone who has to shave everyday I totally understand the hatred of cartridges. Now that I have left the "dark side" I actually look forward to my morning shave.
The best advice that I can give you is to read all the wiki articles on this site while you are waiting for your razor to arrive. It will save you from commiting many avoidable mistakes. You will knick yourself and your strop but the articles should keep you out of the ER.
Also of note: don't go for the BBS (Baby's Butt Smooth) shave the first time out. I recommend WTG (with the grain) and XTG (across the grain) passes until you get the hang of it. Once again, it is all in the wikis. So, dust of the badger brush, blow the cobwebs out of the mug and welcome to str8 razor shaving.

Best of luck to you.
MrE

My razor arrived today! It was about what I was expecting, the scales are really flimsy but the blade seems okay. The strop is a no frills strip of leather with a leather cord to tie it to things. It's a step up from the leather belt I've been using for knives and I think it should work fine. One thing I didn't like is the metal grommet on the hole the cord attaches to, I'll probably slip up at least once and end up hitting the razor into it. There doesn't seem to be much of a way around that though, something needs to be there or the leather will tear. I also ordered a puck of VDG glycerin shave soap and a cheap Marvy boar brush.

I tested the razor out a little while ago and so far I'm pretty happy with it. I don't think I worked up a proper lather, after a minute or so my face felt drier than I think it should have. I'll have to read up some more and see if I can get it better.

I took the advice in the beginner's thread here and didn't try to do my whole face on my first go. I shaved between my sideburn and jaw, and since that went well I did the rest of my cheek. I was a little timid at first, but after a couple of strokes I felt in control of the razor; I wasn't using much pressure, and I stopped anytime there was too much resistance. I only did WTG strokes until the end when I wanted to see if I could shave a little closer, then I tried a few across the grain and ended up with a little nick.

Overall, it was much more pleasant to shave with the straight razor than with my old razors. It was also faster; even though I was going slow, since I didn't have to keep stopping to rinse and unclog the razor I ended up finishing my right cheek faster than my left (which was done with a cartridge razor). Smoothness was about the same on both sides, and I also got nicked on my left cheek by my old razor. So far it's faster (not including the setup), less frustrating, and at least as effective as my old razors, plus straight razors are much cooler. This'll probably end up as my primary means of shaving.

Well Done! It can only get better from here, right?

Hi Starker,
Congrats on your first str8 shave!!-Don,t worry you are doing just fine.
1.STROP-when you start stropping you will soon get into the rythm of stropping without going near the metal ring.Strop before each shave at least 30/60 strokes.Don,t forget to strop 20 strokes after the shave to clean the micro teeth on the razors edge.
2.LATHER-Lather does dry quickly on your face as you shave -don,t be tempted to carry on when this happens.Re-wet your face and re-apply lather.( I started by lathering and shaving one side of my face at a time.This stops half the lather drying on the side not being shaved).
3.SHAVING-You are doing this just right- short strokes are the order of the day at first.As you become more confident you will automatically lengthen the stroke.Remember to stretch the skin as you shave.
4.ASTRINGENT-If you cut yourself use a styptic pencil or an alum block to staunch bleeding.
Hope above helps and once again congrats and happy shaving !!
Keep us informed of progress.
Kind regards
Noggs

Congratulations on your initiation into the world of str8 razor shaving. Keep it up! You'll be shaving your entire face in no time.

+1 on Noggs's advice...Focus on developing your str8 razor shaving technique as well as pre and post-shave routine.

Now, imagine what your shaves would be like with an entry level Dovo or Boker...Only time will tell.

Take care--and smoth shaving.

For me, shaving has gone from a "chore" to an enjoyable event. I'm retired now, so i don't have to shave on a schedule.

I had got the str8 bug last fall and downloaded an article on how to shave with a straight razor. In it advice was given that lead me to this site and the classifieds where i bought my first real razor. (I had owned a "feather" for a few months before.

One thing that has happened is that my shaving instrument is a thing of beauty, to be admired and cared for. I absolutely never thought of my old fusion in that manner. You must be careful or like me you will become a collector. I'm just kidding when i say careful as this previous chore has turned into a pastime or hobby. This is a positive thing in my opinion. It really is amazing that i can shave with a razor that someone was using around the time of the civil war. (functional razors can be had from times of the Revolutionary war and even earlier)

Anyway, I hope you find using the straight razor as enjoyable as i do. Who knows,,maybe you will also enjoy collecting these "works of art"

Kirk