Thread: First timer needs advice

Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

Welcome to the forum. It's great you're in medical school, you can apply first aid if it all goes haywire

I'd not use the strop paste yet. It's true I've never used it, but I get the feel that some beginners ruin their razor more than do it good by using paste too much or incorrectly. I would simply use the strop without paste initially.

I'd also start saving up for a hone; I use two; a Norton 4/8 and a Shapton 16k. I've used no other but these two are all I need. You can shave off the 8k but a 16k will give a smoother edge.

It appears a lot of people have trouble making a good lather from the Williams soap. I always recommend a cream for beginners, it's easier. I'd recommend something like TOBS, Truefitt and Hill, Musgo real or Body Shop; they are all very easy to make a lather with.

Good luck!

Carl

+1 to all of this.

If the razors are shave ready, you shouldn't have to strop before your first shave.

What is the paste?

They look good but appear to be smaller blades, around the 4/8 mark. Be aware that these are not easy, nor generally recommended, to learn to strop on. 5/8 or 6/8 is generally easier due to the wider blade, not sure if you've read about that yet but it's much easier to keep the razor flat and even on the strop.

Welcome to SRP

Just came in about a 1/2 hour ago.

The third one

Originally Posted by Firerescue142

The third one

This one looks the biggest...I'd use that one for now and set the other ones aside until a little later on. It looks to be a 5/8 at the toe, just be mindful of that tip


Is it me or does the heel look worn a bit?

There is a big weight difference. The Ivy being the heaviest. But I like the weight. It feels more stable in my hand.

Have fun with your shave

Good luck to you, and welcome to the forum.

I think you'll find it is easiest to choose one blade and stick with it for a little while. It reduces some of the variables. As others have said, I'd use the widest bladed one to start. Nice collection of straight razors by the way - your better half is awesome.

Welcome to SRP, enjoy the journey.

Darren

For soap, or cream I should say, try Proraso in the tube. Most soaps take a little practice to get "dialed in", but in the beginning I found Proraso to be very user friendly. If you use a bowl and you find the lather too thin, it is easy just to add a little more product. Once you get used to making lather you'll likely be like the rest of us, and try all kinds of different soaps and creams. Good luck and have fun.

Thank you everyone for the advice. Going start with the sideburns tonight.