Thread: Very First Shave

Well I followed all the innumerable the instructions, and only did my right cheek. Felt awesome and was super close. I was tempted to go on, but just used a disposable Mach Crap and proceeded to cut up my neck as usual. So as to avoid ruining my straight razor experience, of course.

Here's my question: how watery should my lather be? The lather seemed to be resisting the blade somewhat – keeping it from gliding smoothly over the skin. I suppose I've just answered my own question, right, it needs to be more watery than that…

Also I nicked my strop. It's not horrible, and I e read all the comments on leaving it/not leaving it. I left it and now I'm afraid the stropping ruined the blade. No evidence it has, of course, just the paranoia. In every other way, the stropping SOUNDED like Lynn's – spine first, roll on the spine when turning, 40-60 stroke per minute pace, spine and edge on strop at all times.

When you're learning to strop, there is no reason to strop as quickly as Lynn does. When one learns something, start with quality and work up to quantity. I can strop that quickly or quicker but enjoy taking it more slowly and getting it right. I also never strop before or right after a shave, making a time for it to be done at night. Having a special time for it allows you to concentrate on it.

Lather is lacking water if it impedes the razor stroke. If it is dripping off your face, it is too watery. Anything between those two extremes should be functional.

Awesome tips, thanks. Also, I'm not going to monkey with sanding the strop or anything. It's not a major nick, and it seems there's an even split in whether that needs to be done anyway. Don't want to do more damage!

Welcome to the venerable "nicked a strop" club. Slow it down a bit and you may avoid the 2nd nick. Only need to repair if it's deep enough or has a large thick flap. If all you've done is lifted off a thin layer of the smooth surface then all is well. You can use an exacto knife to carefully remove the flap and not cause any problems.

As far as nicking yer Strop goes, believe me we've ALL done it at least once, I have 3 or 4 in my current strop but luckily they're close enough to the end that I can avoid them and just do a slightly shorter Lap. With the lather, you'll Notice when its too watery that it tends to dissipate very quickly from yer face, you wanna make sure you get that "cool whip" consistency, but not the Meringue...

Originally Posted by bkoplin

Awesome tips, thanks. Also, I'm not going to monkey with sanding the strop or anything. It's not a major nick, and it seems there's an even split in whether that needs to be done anyway. Don't want to do more damage!

If the piece isn't cut clean off you can cement it back down with contact cement. I've done that with almost all the minor nicks I've inflicted and it works well.

Originally Posted by bkoplin

Awesome tips, thanks. Also, I'm not going to monkey with sanding the strop or anything. It's not a major nick, and it seems there's an even split in whether that needs to be done anyway. Don't want to do more damage!

Oh, and as far as lather. I like it so it looks so delicious I'd want to eat it. Watery? Not delicious. Thick like clotted cream. Well, maybe delicious but too fatty, right? Like freshly whipped cream that you'd want to slather on a piece of chocolate cream pie? Perfect!

Originally Posted by bkoplin

Well I followed all the innumerable the instructions, and only did my right cheek. Felt awesome and was super close. I was tempted to go on, but just used a disposable Mach Crap and proceeded to cut up my neck as usual. So as to avoid ruining my straight razor experience, of course.

Here's my question: how watery should my lather be? The lather seemed to be resisting the blade somewhat – keeping it from gliding smoothly over the skin. I suppose I've just answered my own question, right, it needs to be more watery than that…

Also I nicked my strop. It's not horrible, and I e read all the comments on leaving it/not leaving it. I left it and now I'm afraid the stropping ruined the blade. No evidence it has, of course, just the paranoia. In every other way, the stropping SOUNDED like Lynn's – spine first, roll on the spine when turning, 40-60 stroke per minute pace, spine and edge on strop at all times.

Welcome to the craft. It's a great learning experience; stick with it and don't get discouraged. I'm still learning after five years. I've nicked a strop or two, but the nicks can be repaired with a little glue. Stropping speed will come with time and muscle memory. Focus more on proper technique.

The way I judge my lather, besides how it protects my face, is appearance. I bowl lather and I like to pull the brush from the bowl and see few air bubbles, and well defined peaks. I also go by feel as the brush is swirled through the lather. The lather should suck the brush into the bowl. The sound of well developed lather is distinctive too. I can't describe it, but once you hear it, you'll recognize it forever. Practice lather even when you're not going to shave and look for these qualities. If you don't bowl lather, use your palm for these practices. Enjoy and have fun.