Thread: First Shave Kit on it's Way!

I'm a newbie to the whole straight razor shaving and I'm open to all pointers. I have looked up several shaving videos and have read several forum posts about shaving (So I'm confident I can pull it off). Please feel free to give me any suggestions and preparation hints you have and I will take note to prevent my first cut-throat razor from fulfilling its infamous name!

Things I'm not too sure about are:
Aftershaves
Correct preparation of the face before shaving
Strope use and maintenance (This is probably my weakest point)


Thanks for your time and I am eager to begin! My kit should be here in no time!

Well I'm a novice myself so I can't really help you out yet with time tested advice

For an aftershave I just use the same stuff I always used and as for face prep I usually take a shower first and make sure to lather up properly.

Other than that I can only tell you to take it slowly I made the mistake of trying to do too much too soon and got the nicks to prove it
I can highly recommend the wiki article First straight razor shave - Straight Razor Place Wiki

I'm currently going by that and working out fine!

Happy shaving!

Thanks for the advice! I will definitely look that wiki page over!

This is what I do for prep and it works pretty good for me. When I shower I use some face wash and scrub my face really good. Then when I shampoo my hair I also shampoo my face and scrub it in real good and then the same with conditioner. When your stropping just realize that your going to knick it. It is unavoidable so don't beat yourself up about it too much just learn from it. Make sure you go slow and be deliberate about your motions. When you flip it do it softly and be soft on the pressure of the blade. You want as little pressure as it takes to keep the blade on the strop. I am assuming that your razor will be shave ready so don't strop it for your first shave but pay attention to how sharp it feels when you first shave with it and remember that feeling so that when you do strop it you can tell if your stropping has made the edge duller

Confidence will be your friend in this process. So first question did the seller tell you if your razor will be shave ready? Don't rely on a factory edge as it will not be sharp enough and will make your first attempt problematic. If it's not then before you attempt any shave send it out to be properly honed. Can't stress this issue enough. If is shave ready then as already been said don't strop it before the first use.

Face prep is going to be up to you but you want to make sure it involves plenty of hot water, good shave cream and a brush. My prep is the same with or without a shower.

1.) Wash face
2.) Apply a hot wet towel to beard and hold there for 30 to 45 sec
3.) Repeat towel
4.) Apply preshave cream and rub with wet fingers
5.) Wet brush and load with shave cream
6.) Vigorously rub beard with brush until lather is thick (add small amounts of water as needed but not oo much)
7.) Smooth lather on face and shave

The only thing that may be a problem is alot of the shaving kits on e-bay are rubbish from china, if that is the case, you will never be able to shave with it and end up disappointed. Do you have a link to the kit, or any idea of brand name of razor?

There's a great post here:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...made-easy.html

From 1905, shaving guide, worth the read.

This booklet describes the way it used to be done, cold shaving, there are several threads here on it. It's a preferential thing, I prefer it after hot shaving for months. Find the cold shave is better and more refreshing. Still hot shave though, changing things up is always fun, and one of the allures of SRS.

Good luck!

Wow Phrank, this is really cool. I love this! Thanks for the file!

Nice, i am sure you will be happy with that. Well done.

Originally Posted by Frothie

Wow Phrank, this is really cool. I love this! Thanks for the file!

Thank member LuckyCynic, who posted it.

Here's the original link if you want to thank the member:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...made-easy.html

I found it a great help as well....