Have all the gear!! sooooo scared to put that blade to my face!!

Got all my gear from larry, stoked to use it, but still needing to build that courage up!
couple of questions though;
trying to decide if I hang my strop and learn that way, or do I just leave it lying on the top of the counter so i have a solid surface and no sag in the strop?

also, how are brushes measured? i have one from AoS, i like it,but don't know it from anything else, just wondering if I bought a stand if that makes a difference? its the hand that hangs the brush, so just need to know the width of that i suppose? also, it seems to be much smaller in diameter at the brush end than some of the higher end brushes, does that affect quality and volume of lather that can be built? i'm assuming so.

I think that is it!!
my biggest decision is the 6/8 full hollow round vs the 4/8 square point half hollow...both look terrifying!

Start with the 6/8 hollow, they are easier for a beginner.
Also lather up your face with hand soap and grab a butter knife to get some practice on angles, mirror perspectives and switching hands etc. It won't feel so strange and scary with the real thing if you do this.

I'm in the same boat but just the opposite I wish I could force my beard to grow so I could shave multiple times today :rofl2: I'm debating about a full shave instead of just the cheeks, I'm far from afraid of it but I do respect it also!!

You're likely to get much better advice here than mine, but here's my .02

Hang your strop and practice stropping with a butter knife. Then practice more, and more....

As far as brushes go, personally I don't hang mine. I rinse them REALLY well, shake them out in the bathtub like hell, dry it a little more on a towel, them stand it back on a shelf.

Whichever razor you choose (personal choice) you will learn to use. Resist the urge to jump in feet first! Take it slow and easy and enjoy the journey! I was in too much of a hurry to learn everything at once when I started, and for the first few months I looked like I was dating Edward scissorhands lol.

Good luck to you on your journey,

Jim

Start with the strop flat on a table. Your razor will thank you...you will likely still dull it but it will be easier to learn the stroke while not having to worry about tension or anything other than the blade on the leather.

Hey noobs, if the razors arrived shave ready, you shouldn't have to strop them for the first shave, a mistake I made. Also if you look at the beginners guide, it recommends starting on just your cheek, from sideburn down, an easy area to shave, use low angle. Your confidence will build with each shave.

Strop flat on table if you only have 1 razor. Add to the learning curve as you go and as you get more razors to fall back on. As for your face , shave until you feel uncomfortable. When you get over confident or in a hurry is when you will scratch yourself. Waay to confident or big hurry and you will cut the heck out of yourself. Just concentrate and go slow. I have been shaving awhile now and if I get a cut, that is why.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Grazor

Hey noobs, if the razors arrived shave ready, you shouldn't have to strop them for the first shave, a mistake I made. Also if you look at the beginners guide, it recommends starting on just your cheek, from sideburn down, an easy area to shave, use low angle. Your confidence will build with each shave.

---

I also have a strop but understand that it does not need to be used right away. What if you feel quite confident and want to give it a go first shot?????

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Aaron71

I also have a strop but understand that it does not need to be used right away. What if you feel quite confident and want to give it a go first shot?????

---

Take your time and have a go. Once you master the strop you can maintain a razor for a long time before it needs a re-hone.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Grazor

Take your time and have a go. Once you master the strop you can maintain a razor for a long time before it needs a re-hone.

---

That's what I figured I would do!! I'm like a kid on Christmas hahahahaha