Thread: Hi

Hello ladies and gentleman. My names Nick and I'm brand new or the straight razor game. Well it all started with a simple haircut and the barber used a straight razor to clean up the edges and my interest was sparked. I started looking into it and ended up ordering my first set without doing much research. Well as that order came in from straightrazors.com I found out it was stolen. So I figured take the hit and do it right so I went to my nearest art of shaving store and picked up a thiers issard 5/8 straight. I probably paid a little more then I should but I'm now nervous to order anything online in fear of it not making it in the house. I'm excited to start my journey into the world of straight shaving.

Maybe I should have included a picture of my first razor.

Strange and unfortunate beginning. Hope you had recourse with the seller or shipping agent. Anyway looks like you have yourself a nice razor. Did they supply it honed? What did you pick up for a brush, strop, soap etc.

Welcome Nj3 to SRP.

Thanks for the welcome guys. Yes I was off to a real rough start but I got everything sorted out. While I was there I picked up a pure badger brush and the lavender scent shaving kit. The pre shave oil, soap, aftershave balm and I also bought an alum block. I will be attempting my first shave today. From what I've been reading in going to keep it with the grain until I pick up enough technique to go against it. Wish me luck I'll have 911 pre dialed just in case haha.

It has also been recommended to start with the area from sideburn to jaw line and stick with that for the first shave. If all goes well expand that area on subsequent days until you're covering the rest of your face and then move to the neck. All with the grain, mind you. It does take some time to get a feel for the right pressure to cut whiskers without irritating skin. Then when you feel comfortable with that move on to across the grain (XTG) and against the grain (ATG).

Thanks coryschmidt! I have to keep that in mind because I just want to go at it haha.

HI, and welcome to SRP.

Just a quick update. I finally was able to get in my first shave and it was amazing! I started with the side burns but built a little confidence and did my cheek and upper jawline and to my surprise no nicks or cuts! I did some serious prep work that I'm sure contributed but I'm very excited to be headed on this path of learning this art. Thanks again guys.

Originally Posted by Nj3

Just a quick update. I finally was able to get in my first shave and it was amazing! I started with the side burns but built a little confidence and did my cheek and upper jawline and to my surprise no nicks or cuts! I did some serious prep work that I'm sure contributed but I'm very excited to be headed on this path of learning this art. Thanks again guys.

Good job. You are like me, I also did not stop at just a single stroke. I went all the way the first time and have been loving it since.