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  1. #1
    Junior Member Outlaw's Avatar
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    Default Slowly, but Surely...

    *Please feel free to give me your opinions*
    Here is my noob/newby, self improvement, shave plan;

    1) Purchase my first inexpensive shaving soap -w- shave bowl. (Done)
    2) Purchase my first inexpensive Boars Hair shave brush. (Done)
    3) Learn to master the art of a proper lather. (Off to a good start I think)

    For now I will be using up the rest of my disposable razors until they run out as I slowly but surely try to master a proper lather.


    -By the end of this year-

    4) Purchase a good quality double edge razor; Probably a 'Merkur Vision Adjustable' for Christmas. (Pending)
    5) Purchase a good quality Badger Hair shave brush. (Pending)
    6) Purchase a better quality shave soap. (Pending)

    I plan to use the double edge razor for around 6 months until my birthday in June. My goal is to master the lather and the double edge razor first and then to 'gradually' work my way up to a straight razor.


    -My birthday in June-

    7) Purchase my first good quality straight razor; Probably a 'Dovo Classic 6/8 "professionally honed" straight razor. (Pending)
    8) Purchase a good quality Strop. (Pending)

    9) Try not to injure myself. (Crossing my fingers)


    Thoughts?

  2. #2
    Senior Member basil's Avatar
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    Default

    I think you're off to a good start.

    I think as you work your way through your disposable razors you should have a designated safety razor day.

    That way you still get the practice you need to learn the skills. Maybe a Saturday just so your off work and dont have to stress about time or other factors.

    Same would apply to a straight. Just take your time. Practise with it slowly until you get the hang of it.

    What kind of brush and soap did you purchase?
    Shaving_story on Instagram

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    Outlaw (09-18-2010)

  4. #3
    Member garciagj's Avatar
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    Default

    That's a great plan you got there..... although you seem to understand the importance of a great lathering technique, so I'd insert a 6a item on your list that would consist of getting a high end shaving cream to go along with your badger and fine soap to try the überlather!!... I just can't (and won't) live without it: it's like an addiction I wouldn't let go (hopefully)....

    Good luck!!!!

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    Outlaw (09-17-2010)

  6. #4
    Junior Member Outlaw's Avatar
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by basil View Post
    I think you're off to a good start.

    I think as you work your way through your disposable razors you should have a designated safety razor day.

    That way you still get the practice you need to learn the skills. Maybe a Saturday just so your off work and dont have to stress about time or other factors.

    Same would apply to a straight. Just take your time. Practise with it slowly until you get the hang of it.

    What kind of brush and soap did you purchase?

    Nothing fancy...

    I just purchased a simple .99 cent puck of 'Williams' shaving soap and a $9.00 'Van der Hagen Boar' brush at my local market place.

    The actual shave bowl that I picked out ended up being a medium sized white ceramic ice cream bowl that I found at the local Kroger's market for $2.99 , The puck of shave soap actually fits 'perfectly' inside. One of the store employees was staring at me strangely when he saw me trying to size the shave soap into the right bowl/cup. LOL

    I fashioned a temporary stand to hang the shave brush out of a wire coat hanger. My wife was staring at me strangely at first with the coat hanger, then when she saw what it was for she said; "Wow, you are smart honey buns!" :-)
    Last edited by Outlaw; 09-17-2010 at 10:39 PM.

  7. #5
    Shaveurai Deckard's Avatar
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    Default

    Everything sounds good to me.
    Except you need to qualify what you mean by professionaly honed?
    Anything I've ever had from a factory seldom in my experience came up to snuff. To avoid dissapointment get Lynn or an equaly reputable honemiester to give it the once over before first use. You won't be disapointed that way.

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    Outlaw (09-18-2010)

  9. #6
    Junior Member Outlaw's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Deckard View Post
    Everything sounds good to me.
    Except you need to qualify what you mean by professionaly honed?
    Anything I've ever had from a factory seldom in my experience came up to snuff. To avoid dissapointment get Lynn or an equaly reputable honemiester to give it the once over before first use. You won't be disapointed that way.
    I was thinking of ordering my Dovo straight razor from; ClassicShaving.com
    They sell both 'Factory Honed' and 'Professionally Honed' razors.
    They seem reputable.

  10. #7
    Shaveurai Deckard's Avatar
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    Yep,
    Should be ok, Although I did have a top dollar TI from them (old stock, bad grind) that did need a little extra work. I'm sure if I'd have sent back they would have made good, this side of the pond shipping is a consideration.

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    Outlaw (09-18-2010)

  12. #8
    Sharp as a spoon. ReardenSteel's Avatar
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    Sounds like you have thought out your plan of action and that's a great start. Be sure to read the WIKI if you have not already. As far as lather goes, you may also want to check out C.O. Bigelow shave cream. You can find it at Bath & Body Works at a reasonable cost. I think they charge $5 for the small tube and $10 for the large. Best of luck and keep us posted.
    Why doesn't the taco truck drive around the neighborhood selling tacos & margaritas???

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    Outlaw (09-18-2010)

  14. #9
    Senior Member jeffegg2's Avatar
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    Cool

    Quote Originally Posted by ReardenSteel View Post
    Sounds like you have thought out your plan of action and that's a great start. Be sure to read the WIKI if you have not already. As far as lather goes, you may also want to check out C.O. Bigelow shave cream. You can find it at Bath & Body Works at a reasonable cost. I think they charge $5 for the small tube and $10 for the large. Best of luck and keep us posted.
    Also buy two and get one free!

    Sounds like you have a plan!!! Once you move to the DE, you need to learn to keep a light touch. The biggest problem that I found with the DE is when my beard growth was over a few days, it would tug like crazy. I used to shave first over lightly with my electric. The straight does not have this problem, so really you could just jump straight to the straight and not miss anything. I wish I had.
    Last edited by jeffegg2; 09-17-2010 at 11:27 PM.

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  16. #10
    Sharp as a spoon. ReardenSteel's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by jeffegg2 View Post
    Also buy two and get one free!
    What??? I was just there and the salesperson did not mention that.
    Why doesn't the taco truck drive around the neighborhood selling tacos & margaritas???

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    Outlaw (09-18-2010)

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