Thread: Funny How Little Victories....

...can make one feel like King Kong.

Hello all. Today my 5/8 Rolf Aust 5/8 Round Tip with starter kit from Straight Razor Designs arrived (I've read where if there aren't any pictures, it didn't happen...I'll work on that).
Thank goodness for The Straight Razor Forum and the beginner tips.
Couldn't wait til the morning, so since my 5:00 Shadow was in full swing I decided I was going to give it a go...just couldn't wait.
As recommended, I stropped it (3 inch black latigo; awesome!) even though it is "shave ready"...scared that I was going to ruin the edge due to improper technique (too much pressure etc) but figured, hey, only one way to learn (minus watching all the videos and reading postings here).
Lathered up my face (SRD unscented glycerin stuff) which went really well due to all the reading and videos (amazing huh).
Then I reached for the SR and went to town....from side burns to jaw-line (both sides utilizing both dominant and non-dominant hand) and stopped, just like Lynn and many from this forum recommend (I'm picking up on a pattern; Read, Watch, read more, watch more then DO).

Yes, there is a lot of beard left and I'll tackle it in due time, but I am going to give myself the time to master these basic skills first. I now understand conceptually, angle of attack, feedback from the blade, the importance of breathing etc.

Oh, no cuts or nicks (there's the big JINX).

Thanks to everyone here.
I couldn't be happier (well I could and probably will later since wife loves the Captain's Choice Bay Rum aftershave.
KING KONG!!

Excellent! Now, to keep up with me, you have to chip the toe by shaking it in the sink full of water and striking the sink edge (at least that's how I think I did it) and then repair it and move on to ATG, etc. With pictures!

I just shivered when I read about the chip in the tow and how it happened.
As far as 'going vertical' and attempting the repair, I bow to your superior confidence and abilities.
Glad to read that you see only opportunities to excel!

all the best

Congrats on the first shave. Most however would recommend not stropping a newly honed razor so you will have something to compare to later on when the edge may need some touch ups.

From now on I'm rinsing under running water only. No more shaking ...

Originally Posted by Brenngun

Congrats on the first shave. Most however would recommend not stropping a newly honed razor so you will have something to compare to later on when the edge may need some touch ups.

Gotta step in here and say that when I ordered the same razor a week back both Don and Lynn recommending stropping it. And since they're the guys who own the company that sold it ...

Thanks Brenngun for the tip.
I purchased from SRD and have a coupon for a free honing.
When I get it back from that one (second honing) later on down the line, I'll do just that.

I'm sure plenty of readers will say, "Now why in the heck did he do that?"
To be sure, I read it somewhere here.
Your advice is definite value added, so again, thanks.

Headcrowny: I probably would have done the exact same thing had I not seen Lynn's DVD which showed him rinse under running water and then dry with a towel.

There but for the grace of God go I!

Originally Posted by Headcrowny

Excellent! Now, to keep up with me, you have to chip the toe by shaking it in the sink full of water and striking the sink edge (at least that's how I think I did it) and then repair it and move on to ATG, etc. With pictures!

I jinx myself...not paying attention this morning and ended up tapping SR on faucet.
Blunted a tiny section of the blade.
Now I have to decide on whether or not to send it out for repair.
I'm really P!SSED-OFF because I'm having such good results shaving.
I'm working XTG with nary a nick after 7 shaves.

I'll take a long close look at the strop to see if I'm scoring it...really need to assess the damage.
I could see it under the jeweler's loop...not clearly apparent to the naked eye.
Didn't affect the shave, didn't nick or cut me, so I'm wondering if I should just let it go.....

One of the most tactile ways to detece a problem that's going to bother your shave is the thumb-nail test. I use it when Darth Hangover sneaks into my bathroom and makes me do something silly like taking too long of a stroke on the strop and hitting one of the metal fasteners. Or something. Either way, it will tell you immediately if it's nicked/dulled in a particular spot.