Thread: In dire need of help!

Admittedly this is pretty much me begging to strangers but after looking throughout the forums you all look like a nice bunch so I'll share my story and try and gain a bit of sympathy.

I've always used modern safety razors, you know the kind: colourful but boring to use. A few months ago I mentioned to my parents about wanting to get a straight razor, something they discouraged but I persisted and was looking at purchasing my first 'cut thtoat' when they told me to "leave it for a bit" in a Christmas is coming up kind of way.

Christmas morning and I am thrilled to find a straight razor and strop, not the razor I would have chosen, a pearly looking handle bearing the logo 'enzo england' with a heat treated blade(the kind that has a colourful effect like shiny petrol) but I was thrilled all the same. An hour later I've soaked my face and spent a good amount of time with my new strop and start to lather up, I had no soap and brush so used gel instead to create a generous amount of foam and off I went; half an hour later I'm covered in cuts and still not what I'd call clean-shaven. My face covered in blood I called it a day and put it down to the gel and my lack of skill.

Boxing day. I go into town and acquire a pure badger brush and crabtree and Evelyn nomad shaving soap. I gave my face the day to recover and this evening spent time with my strop and gave shaving another shot; safetywise things went better, only one very small cut which quickly healed but next to no hair was removed after 3 passes. In frustration and in need of a successful shave I resorted to using my old wilkinson sword.

Figuring it was probably me again I took my straight razor to the strop once more and afterwards tried removing hair from my arm... Nothing, after several attempts I came to the conclusion that the failures could not be my fault or at least not for the most part.

I want to point out at this stage that I do work but unfortunately cannot afford a further £40-50 for a decent entry level razor as I am paying for a college trip to Athens, which I've already paid a deposit on.
What I'm asking is probably quite obvious by this stage. If anyone has their old starter razor sitting gathering dust would it be possible for me to have it, I will pay for it if needed(though I cannot afford a lot) and at the very least will provide postage.
Any tips would also be welcomed

Just a quick bit of background to add to my appeal .
I'm 17 and probably one of the youngest members on here(granted I just joined). If you help me you won't just be giving me a few years of pleasure but you'll be helping me for life(maybe a but strong there :P).
I also want to point out that I would be willing to do the same for others and pass on the razor after I move up in the Market .

Hi there and welcome to SRP.

As you have experienced, straight razor shaving is an art and takes time and patience to acquire skill and experience. I would highly recommend spending some time reading the wiki and Lynn's beginner tips. They are very helpful.

Did your parents have the razor honed before they gave it too you? Many people have been driven away from this great endeavor because they did not have a truly shave-ready edge. These things are awfully delicate, and it is important to have that edge. Check the classifieds section - I'm sure there are plenty of guys around your area who can professionally hone your razor.

Good luck, read the wiki, and remember that there is a steep learning curve. I have been using straight for just shy of seven months, and I am just getting to the point where I think I might be getting a clue. YMMV, but my point is that none of this happens overnight. That's what makes it so interesting!

Wow, just wow.
A reply almost instantly froma very generous member. I cannot thank the SRP community enough!
I'll be back on the forums to report my next attempt at the art and when I eventually acquire it, share my wisdom on the subject.

I think it was supposed to be ready to shave but after researching enzo I have decided it's probably not worth getting it sharpened professionally as the quality of the razor is just too poor .

I believe the blade to be coated in Titanium, looks nice but it will not be a top-drawer shaver I fear.

welcome to SRP. as someone who just started straight razor shaving in March, i know exactly where you're coming from. here's a quick beginner's how-to:

1. read through the SRP wiki on how to shave, focusing on how to stretch your skin, and the areas of your face to start your learning curve on.

2. repeat #1.

3. get a razor from the classifieds here. don't go for looks (it's ok if the razor has some pitting), but DO go for one that has been honed by a honemeister on this website. Lynn is of course very very very good (i get my razors honed by him), but there are a number of other sellers who do a bang up job.

4. get the right equipment: a puck of soap, a brush (synthetic or badger at this stage), a leather and linen strop. buy a stypic pencil and a good post-shave balm (geo f trumper's works best for me).

5. repeat #1 again.

6. get a few days growth on your face, and shower prior to your shave. just start on your cheeks, as these provide the largest surface area and least nickable parts. go with the grain, single pass, focusing on your angle and stretching. finish the rest of your face with your previous razors.

7. repeat step 6 a few times, letting a few days' growth accumulate. this will also let your skin heal in case you do get cut.

8. don't give up! it took me about 5 months to get a good shave, and even now i don't shave every day.

Hey Gup-King,

Where is Thornton-Clevelys? If you're in the U.S., I've got a decent starter razor (my own first one) I can send you.

Yeah, a shave-ready razor shouldn't have chopped you up. There are a couple of reasons a dull razor cuts you. One is that you use too much force trying to get it to shave. Another is that when it's not sharp enough to cut beard hairs and you shave against the grain, the hairs just guide the edge down into your skin.

The best description of required force I've read is that you should only try to wipe away your lather with the blade. If it's properly sharp, the hair will come away with the lather. It's true, and it's a great feeling.

I hope your parents aren't disappointed in the razor like you are. It's kind of a drag to give a gift that doesn't work out. You can still make some use of that razor: dull it on purpose, so it can't cut skin, and just practice wiping lather from your face. That will give you the sense of how hard you should press with the real thing. You can also use the dulled blade to practice stropping. Many beginners accidentally chop their strops.

If you haven't read the Wiki yet, here's the key advice for you: keep your old shaving setup for a while as you learn the straight razor. Start with the straight on the easy parts first: sideburn and cheek on the side easiest to shave with your dominant hand. Then sideburn and cheek on the opposite side. Until you're comfortable navigating your whole face with the straight, use your old razor to take care of the difficult spots.

Be patient. It took me about three months to switch over completely.

Best wishes!

Thank you all for your replies, I should probably change my location to something clearer, Thornton-cleveleys is a town/area on the outskirts of Blackpool(north-west of England).
Thanks for your offer roughkype, I have already had a pm from another member who has agreed to post to the UK but should that fall through for any reason I will contact you, if you're still willing(I would pay postage).
I believe that the blade is titanium coated from what I can find out but I can't tell from inspection and haven't been able to find the exact razor online yet. As for my parents, they think it's still down to the gel and my inexperience(the first attempt which cut my face to ribbons largely was :P) I will casually slip it into conversation some time that the brand apparently isn't the best around; I don't think they'll be too bothered, it was something they did to indulge my 'eccentricity' and love of all things traditional and English; my dad has never used anything but a safety or electrical razor.
It's great to know everyone here is so helpful, whenever I've had problems with things in the past and tried forums people tend to only bother answering when it suits them, to hurl abuse or to gain positive feedback/rating.
This feels like a real community and I really cannot extend my thanks far enough!

GupKing,

I would suggest you have a peek at:

1) www.strop-shop.co.uk - Mr Neil Miller

2) www.theinvisibleedge.co.uk Mr Steve Dempster

Both Mr Miller & Mr Dempster are superb honers, and have a good collection of vintage razors for sale - all shave ready. They also have strops, stones etc - everything you need to use and maintain your razor.

In addition Mr Dempster supplies new Dovo & Thiers-Issard razors.

They are very, very fine chappies to do business with

For shaving consumables, www.connaughtshaving.com Mr Mayhew is a very fine resource

Good luck !

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

Once I'm in a position to I will pass on the razor being sent by another member and start looking through the sites you have recommended. O particularly like the idea of a nice vintage razor but it will be a few months in the very least before I can get enough together to buy and have hone a decent razor, I'm not risking going too cheap again.

I'm considering raiding savings accounts once I turn 18 in march and gain access but that's a slippery slope so if I can avoid if I will. I'm very eager to buy my own razor. I cannot say how touched I am by strangers offering me their old blades and to learn I am keen to take up their offers but to own my own shave worthy razor is a greater pleasure and one which I'm greatly anticipating.