Thread: My first decent shave. Awesome!

I just had to share that I just learned proper stropping technique a week ago. My Norton 4k/8k hone just arrived yesterday. I lapped the hone and sharpened my razor today. I stropped it properly. I then took my soap my girlfriend gave me and took it out of its small wooden bowl and put it in a deep mug. I properly created thick lather applied it and then proceeded to give myself the coolest shave ever. I still have a long way to go but it's smooth all over (not baby-butt smooth) and I only have three small nicks. It's taken me about a month of day in and day out application whether it be stropping technique or just running my hand over my strop to soften and straighten it.

To all the newbies out there: I am one and it's awesome shaving with a straight. Stick with it.

One quick word of advice. If you're like me and you do repeats over your face for learning, it can dull the razor a bit. Be sure to strop between attempts. Also, when you jump into the stage of doing a second and third pass I recommend stropping between these also.

Good luck newbies. And remember, you can tout the merits of straight razors all day long, but let's be honest... it's just really damn cool.

Lastly, thanks to all the veteran shavers out there helping us join in on this. Your tips, warnings, and encouragement are great.

Good job! It takes some time to make progress with SR shaving, and it seems you are well on your way. Congrats! You'll be amazed at how much improvement you will make in the coming months. Good luck with it!

Congrats. I can't wait until I get their. I am getting better every shave

Congratulations! And they will keep getting better and better. As you have found out, stropping technique is very important.