Thread: Hi razor nuts!

Hi all

Obviously I'm new here and know precious little about the razor world. I'm also in a quandry: 1) I hate shaving, 2) wife hates it when I don't, 3) I love sharp stuff. Anyone else like this? So, here I am now registered at SRP and I've got my first used vintage razor on its way: a CV Heljestrand Elskiltuna MK 31 bought from eBay, which I was told had a decent blade and fine scales and a reaonable but not bargain price in this case.

I don't have any of these badger brushes or fancy soaps. No. It's usually been normal soap (nice normal soap; no foam stuff) and Gillettes. (Is the G-name banned here?) I've also always counted on getting it all done in around 60 secs or less, and then motorcycling off to work. Please don't tell me that straight shaving will screw up this routine.

I know care and sharpening are important if you're a razor guy, and I think I should be fine give a bit of learning. While it's different, I have and maintain a whole lot of pricey kitchen knifes and I'm already set with sharpening paraphenalia - several Japanese naturals and synthetics. In fact, I'm looking forward to using my Jnats in new ways. My first razor, apparently, won't arrive 'shave ready'.

Two final things - I just posted a thread in the 'Japan' forum asking for a 1-shop Tokyo/Kanto recommendation if anyone could help. Also, I have a few connections to Barcelona and so Filarmonica really appeals to me. Would appreciate any help in landing a Fil as a second razor, though I'm unwilling to pay some of the higher prices around.

Cheers, Ger

Well First Off, Welcome.
Second, You Can Shave In 60 Seconds If You Want To.... But Your Motorcycle Ride Will Be To The Hospital!
You Will Learn To Appreciate The Whole Experience Of Shaving And It Will Become A Pleasure To Do It. It Will Take Some Time To Master The Technique Though.

Welcome to SRP Ger. Check out the SRP library/Wiki here. Particularly the beginner's guide and Lynn Abrams suggestions for the first straight razor shaves. A lot more info in there, as well as in the various forums, on all things straight razor.

Many of us love the old Gillettes among other DEs so not problem mentioning them here. In fact, for the first few weeks of straight razor shaving I used my Gillette red tip super speed to get the knob of my chin and other difficult areas, before I began using the straight for all of it.

A shave in the beginning took me 30 to 45 minutes and the lather dried on one side before I finished the other. Not everyone is so slow a learner but that was my experience. Now I can straight shave, start to finish, in maybe 10 minutes. You might start earlier, or reserve it for your days off. Getting in a hurry isn't advisable.

Welcome, you may hate it now, but soon it will be a treat to wake up to.

You may find that the hones used to finish razors are different than those for knife. The technique certainly is. There is a lot of info on that here. I enjoy shaving these days, and I think that is the common consensus here. I'd say embrace it all the way. If you don't have a strop yet you will need one and should put that on the top of your shopping list.

Thanks for the tips, links, and even the hospital warning. Good heavens - 45 mins for a shave?

Originally Posted by Asteger

Thanks for the tips, links, and even the hospital warning. Good heavens - 45 mins for a shave?

Only At First, You Can Get To Around 10 Minutes Or So. Fastest I Have Seen Is Like 5....

Nice to have you here on SRP. If you want this to work out and only if you really want this to work out take the following advice from someone who is doing quite well at it but is still on the upward side of the learning curve. This will give you a better than 50% chance of reasonable success on your first try.

1.) Get your incoming razor professionally honed before using it.
2.) Do not try to hone it yourself at this time (no matter how good you are with knives you won't get it right).
3.) Get a starter strop (if you don't already have one).
4.) Don't strop a newly honed razor before using it the first time (you'll then know how it feels to shave with a correctly honed razor).
5.) Buy an inexpensive brush and shave soap (best chance to prep your beard properly for a good shave result).
6.) Read as much about shave technique info as you can before 1st try.
7.) Don't expect too much or get too aggressive with your first attempt.
8.) I wouldn't invest in any other razor or accessories until you've tried it and have had some success.
9.) Expect 30 - 45 minutes initially. Once you get better you'll get to a 20, then 10 - 15 minutes but forget about 60 sec .... ever.

Good luck with your journey.

Originally Posted by Asteger

Good heavens - 45 mins for a shave?

Recent straight razor guy (with a motorcycle) here. If you want (need) to shave in a hurry right out of the box, this is definitely not your sport. Weird deal, this. One of lifes great pleasures but, for a while, not a speedy one.

There is a photo-thread here called "Cut of the Day" that should either be deleted or be required reading. Not sure which.

I value my sleep, however once I started the SR game, I gladly set the alarm back 30 minutes.
(I also refused to shave on weekends -- now I refuse not to!)