Thread: Startup advice

Thanks for the info! I'll have to practice and get the technique down.

On a side note, I've been practicing my shaving angles with foam soap and a butter knife... I think I'm doing pretty well (I make sure to practice pass, then watch video and adjust). I feel like I'm more prepared as I was actually picking up a few hairs with the butter knife!

As far as your question to how long will the edge last between honing's.
It will depend on a few factors.
How good is your stropping technique.
Beard type heavy or light.
How fast you get the appropriate angle (the closer you are to a 90 the harder it is on the edge).
Good care practices for the blade examples thoroughly drying after use and the environment it is stored in.
Lastly but far from unimportant, not having a dumb moment like trying to take the faucet off at the neck....

Most get a few (2-3) months out of the first honing and the time goes up quite a bit after that.

Glad to hear it is coming together for you!

Awesome! Ideally I'd only like to send it out a few times a year. Hopefully I'll get to the point where I can hone it myself. Won't worry about that for awhile though!

Be sure to keep your old razor around, you'll need it to finish up your straight shave in the beginning.

Maintaining your razor sharp is significantly easier than getting it there in the first place, but worry about this later.
Initially your edge may last you 20 shaves or 50, but it will improve as you get experience.

If you would like to try a decent Pure badger brush on the cheap, Tweezerman mens shaving brush a good value at about 12 bucks.

Klas Törnblom razors are pretty good I reckon, I have a frameback with ivory scales which is a great shaver, and the styling is very 'Nordic' and minimalist in design.

I think you need a nice aftershave, even a cheapy like Old Spice is nice.

Awesome! I've already ordered the omega brush, but I'll keep that in mind if I want to compare. So far the only thing I haven't bought is the strop. I followed some advice and researched the Illinois/ Fromm strops, but the reviews on amazon have made me a bit nervous ( mostly saying the strop was cupped and stiff). I was also looking at the leather/ poly strop kit from whipped dog. I'm assuming the poly webbing would be similar to canvas without adding paste?

Carl, I just received it in the mail today and it looks and feels awesome. I can't wait to start using it! I ran it across my finger nail it rang beautifully!

Originally Posted by Badwolf

Carl, I just received it in the mail today and it looks and feels awesome. I can't wait to start using it! I ran it across my finger nail it rang beautifully!

Pic?

BTW, I'd HIGHLY recommend a Neil Miller strop; they really are a work of art, expensive, but worth the money. I have a English Bridle and Linen Miller strop with brass fittings and it's really excellent.

Other than that, if you're worried about damaging it as a newbie, the small Dovo strop is nice, but still around a hundred bucks AU.

BTBTW, don't run your razor across your finger nail, it'll dull the edge.