Thread: Beginner Needs Some Advice

Thanks for your responses. I updated my profile with my location, it's Rochester, MN. Not sure if there's any place around me that caters to the straight razor crowd, but if there is I would love to know about it (especially for honing when the time comes).

@ neon - I noticed that the shave angles were different between my blades, I'm being very conscious of my strokes (so much so that it can and has taken me more than an hour and a half to shave with my new blade, whereas I've gotten down to 15-30 min. with my shavette). I'll take this advice to heart though and try to decrease my angles and lower my pressure more.

@ siguy - My preshave is - shower before shave to steam up my beard and open pores (trying not to wash my face as I've read that can rob your beard of much needed sebum and moisture), then I dry off, use Prosoro "green" pre-shave cream (love that stuff) while I'm letting that do it's magic I'll prep my blade (wipe off oil, strop 30 on linen, 40 on leather) and then I rinse my brush under hot water for about 15 to 30 sec. shake off extra water and work it into my soap (I'm still using the soap that came with the kit so I don't know what brand it is, but when that's out I've got some Col. Conk just waiting to be lathered). I apply the soap in my brush directly to my face and neck, then dip the brush under the faucet for another sprits of hot water and work a lather up on my face until I get a good stiff lather that doesn't fade (this was a hard one to learn for me, I kept adding too much water and the lather would just dry on my face before I was finished with the first pass). Then I go after it with my blade starting WTG, the lather up again and go XTG, the I usually do ATG without lather if my face isn't feeling like minced meat (hasn't happened with my new blade yet, I usually have to switch back to the shavette for this run). Then I rinse face with cold water, pull out my styptic pen cause I'm a rookie, and finish with some Prosoro "Green" aftershave.

@ Cangooner - I did not strop on my first shave since there was a nice hand signed card in the box that said I shouldn't need to. I wiped the oil off and went to it. I actually had high hopes that my first bad experience was due to the fact that I hadn't stroped it. I did strop it my second run and have to say that one was a little more rough so I obviously don't have the strop thing down perfect, but I don't think I did any real damage either. Considering my strop is brand new, I'm accepting the fact that it will take time to break in anyways.

Thanks for the links and videos guys, much appreciated.

I also wanted to add the (although controversial and highly subjective) I've tried the HHT on my blade. As I've said, I have some thick hair and used my own head hair, so from what I've read about the test, it didn't really surprise me that my blade failed, but what did surprise me is that the blade didn't even grab onto the hair at all. I even tried to move the hair in a cutting motion across the blade and it just bend by the blade with no grab at all. Any thoughts?

Along with the HHT, I tested the blade on my arm hair (back of the hand/wrist to be more specific) and it seemed to shave at the base just fine, but wouldn't cut the hairs at the tips (I've read that this is a pretty good test to determine shave readiness).

Another question is, is it o.k. to shave consecutive days with the same razor? I've read conflicting opinions on this one. Some say they shave every day with the same razor, but I've read that some say that you need to wait a minimum of 24 to 30 hours before you use the same razor twice, or you may risk damaging the blade. I only have one razor, and most certainly do NOT want to damage the blade (hoping this will be an heirloom I can hand down someday). I would, however like to shave more often to get as much practice as I can, so what's the major consensus on this one?

jayb,

You can shave with the same razor daily. Maintain it with a daily stropping. There's an old belief that a razor has to rest periodically so the molecules or whatever have a chance to realign. lots of old, uh, wives tales out there.

Best reason for a second razor is to have one in service if the other one needs a more restorative honing.

Enjoy!!

Howard

If you maintain a blade you can shave with it as often as needed, two or three times a day if called for and you will not harm the blade.
Barbers in days past did not use 20 razors in a day and let them rest for a full day or more.
They disinfected and stropped properly between customers and changed out blades when they did not perform.
I get on a kick and will use the same blade daily for a month, I will hit it on my 12k hone after two weeks or so,
and at that rate I will have been gone longer than the dinosaurs before it becomes an issue.

It will take a few rounds of getting it honed and shaving before you really get the hang of it all, this is not going to be enough wear to blink an eye at.

When you start to hone you may want to consider a practice blade or make some time to sit with someone who has the experience a time or ten.

Angles are different (at least they were for me I started on a shavette) it will take a few shaves to get that,

stropping is a whole new skill and it can take time for many to really get it.

Do not be afraid to lay your strop on the table if that is what it takes, or practice with a butter knife.

Use your shavette for a back up for now if needed, slow down and enjoy each process as much as the shave,

I have found a tranquility in every step of this art.

Regards
Pat