Most obsessive forum I have every read

I have just ordered my first straight razor from Lynn after reading just about every post on SRP and every YouTube video I can find. I love shaving with a DE and started with the DE because I was getting very annoyed at buying expensive Gillette razors. I have quickly realized this "hobby?" is no cheaper but at least you get to own some beautiful razors etc. My first straight is a Ralf Aust 5/8. I am a bit concerned about my first shave in the next few days, which I am sure is perfectly natural. I am finding it very hard not to be a razor bore telling mates of the latest awesome custom razor I have found. I am sure my first restoration is not far away as well as a set of hones, woodworking workshop and a shed full of blanks. Thank you to everyone for all the help and advise you guys put on here; without it I would never have taken the plunge.

I have one question?

Would you strop a razor from Lynn before using it? I am concerned my technique may be off and I would at least like to try the razor once before I destroy it with my ineptitude. Or can I not do too much harm and should strop anyway? I have watched a ton on videos! No wrist movement, spine first, move razor before putting down blade etc! theory is one thing practice is quite another. Thanks all again btw I live in Plymouth, Devon in the UK.

Don't strop before using if professionally honed, that way you know it is not the blade but technique or prep if it is not right and you have your bench mark if it dulls from stropping etc

What Substance said. Also, go ahead and be a bore; it's amazing how many topics can be turned to conversations about razors: "Yeah, it's a nice car you just bought. New cars have so much plastic in them. Older cars contained more steel. Talking of steel, my new razor is carbon steel..., yeah, that's right, carbon steel, yeah, it's a straight razor..."

Carl

I agree with the general consensus, use it first, then strop before the next shave.

Thanks will go for the use first not sure I would have been able to resist anyway. I expect the sweat will get rid of any lather anyway!

You do have to remember some of us are over the top. Really you don’t need too much gear to start and it is not as complicated or ridged as it may sound.
People have been shaving with straight razors for hundreds of years without all the wazoo…stuff we can’t live without.

A well-honed razor, a strop, soap and brush. And a mentor… and you are good to go for a long time.
Our goals may be the perfect edge, yours should be to scrape the hair off you face without the loss of blood.

Keep it simple as long as you can.

I've found 99.99999% of us are obsessive compulsive addictive personalities on here.

Takes at least 100 shaves to become some what comfortable with everything to get a good shave. All of us do have the over the top syndrome or OCD/ADD and its a good thing. That what makes up successful at this.
Do your best to learn how to pull your skin, prep your beard, building lather, finding the correct grind, stropping, honing once you have mastered stropping and the edge dies out some, I would recommend using a service or professional for a while, and then determine type of razor works best for you. Don't move onto your next razor until you master the one you have. After my first six months of using a straight I am now able to say I know nothing and the real learning begins from here. I now know how to shave utilizing a straight to its full potential.
You can and will be successful, just be patient. Big learning curve, one day you think you got it, then the next you are all messed up again and do not know what you did. Try keeping your routine as consistent as possible, it will help.

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Originally Posted by JFriendly123

Thanks will go for the use first not sure I would have been able to resist anyway. I expect the sweat will get rid of any lather anyway!

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I have found sweat to be quite a good lubricant for shaving :)

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Originally Posted by edhewitt

I have found sweat to be quite a good lubricant for shaving :)

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Tears will work in a pinch.... Not to mention that red stuff.

I don't know why people continue to describe straight shavers as obsessive. I know that I certainly am not. Heck, sometimes I strop 100 laps, sometimes 105, and then sometimes only 95. Sure, it might average 100 laps if you do the numbers, but I'm not so obsessive that I would even keep track of the numbers anyway. I'm really casual about it. I figure 95 is 5 less than 100 and 105 is 5 more, but what difference can it really make? Sure, 95 laps is 5% short of the usual 100, but if I don't count out loud, how will the razor even know? I'm so laid back about it that some days I don't even strop. The last day I didn't was 7/11/11. I know because I have it circled on my stropping calendar. Heck, I don't even know what day of the week that was, so there you are!

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Originally Posted by ace

The last day I didn't was 7/11/11. I know because I have it circled on my stropping calendar. Heck, I don't even know what day of the week that was, so there you are!

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It was a Monday the Monday after I started my first re-pin and honing(1 layer Tape) on a Böker Red Injun 101, it was my first true straight after my shavette. I got to try it out that Friday 7/15 after I stropped it on my Illinois #827 30 linen 75 leather, VDH deluxe soap and my green boar brush, three full passes, good but not quite there note said back to 5k.
Not CDO (they need to be in order) just thorough :)

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Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

What Substance said. Also, go ahead and be a bore; it's amazing how many topics can be turned to conversations about razors: "Yeah, it's a nice car you just bought. New cars have so much plastic in them. Older cars contained more steel. Talking of steel, my new razor is carbon steel..., yeah, that's right, carbon steel, yeah, it's a straight razor..."

Carl

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Looks like a bit of the old off-topicus-anonymous kicking in there Carl

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Originally Posted by ace

I know because I have it circled on my stropping calendar.

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you have a stropping calendar ??
I thought I was bad enough just keeping aregister of purchases & works perfromed LOL

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Originally Posted by JFriendly123

I am finding it very hard not to be a razor bore telling mates of the latest awesome custom razor I have found.

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I tell no one. Not how I shave. Not what I buy. Not what I restore.

Except for here, of course :D

But "IRL" I don't mention it. For me there is something very private and personal about SR shaving. I'd never deny it, but to make it part of every day conversation would somehow diminish it for me.

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Originally Posted by JFriendly123

Would you strop a razor from Lynn before using it? I am concerned my technique may be off and I would at least like to try the razor once before I destroy it with my ineptitude. Or can I not do too much harm and should strop anyway? I have watched a ton on videos! No wrist movement, spine first, move razor before putting down blade etc! theory is one thing practice is quite another. Thanks all again btw I live in Plymouth, Devon in the UK.

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I suggest my patented razor stropping simulator. :)

Practice on a single sheet of newspaper the same size as your leather strop. You can even use a butterknife to start.
No reason to wreck a strop or an edge thru ineptitude.

" Strop often and prosper" :cool:

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Originally Posted by Euclid440

You do have to remember some of us are over the top. Really you don’t need too much gear to start and it is not as complicated or ridged as it may sound.
People have been shaving with straight razors for hundreds of years without all the wazoo…stuff we can’t live without.

A well-honed razor, a strop, soap and brush. And a mentor… and you are good to go for a long time.
Our goals may be the perfect edge, yours should be to scrape the hair off you face without the loss of blood.

Keep it simple as long as you can.

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+1. That's one of the best damn posts I've ever read here! I don't know if that says it all but sure says a lot!

I just sent my first razors off to Lynn to be honed. I asked him if he strops the razors after he hones them and if not could I pay him to do so. He said he strops every razor he hones but still recommended that I strop it before I use it. I mentioned to him that I wanted to experience a properly honed and stropped edge before I ruined it as I have never stropped before. He said that I should go ahead and strop it anyway. He went on to say that people don't usually ruin an edge unless they lift the spine or use too much pressure. He recommended that I watch his stropping video which I have; along with a few others.

Welcome to one of the classiest and friendliest forums on the internet! Don't strop it and enjoy the shave!

I have a honing journal. I also have a SOTD (Shave Of the Day) folder on my computer containing 510 files totaling 1.17 Gig. I have folders named 'Strops', 'Stropping', Honing', 'Razors', 'Patina, Forcing', 'Creams' and 'Soap Making'. On slightly (well, not at all) related topics I have a folder named 'Boots', COTD (Cufflinks Of The Day) and TOTM (Tea Of The Moment). I have a document informing me that I started shaving with a straight razor on the 6th of June 2011 and a spreadsheet that calculates the elapsed time since I started shaving with a straight (currently at 2.843185075).

Like ace I'm not obsessive about stropping, it's always 30 linen 70 leather, which adds to a nice 100. I cannot do more or less, it's 30 linen 100 leather. Full stop, end of story. 30 linen, 70 leather. Oh, then post shave it's 10/10. No more, no less, 10/10. I also remove the water from my brush in a specific (non obsessive manner). The brush is raised above the sink, bristles facing downwards. The brush is then rapidly moved in a downwards motion (like an elevator going down) with a sudden stop at the end. It is not 'flicked'; goodness no! This action is repeated five (5) times. It is not flicked. Never flicked.

I have a Bookmark file in Google Chrome containing innumerable categories containing innumerable items to purchase. Each tax time a spreadsheet is created called 'What to Buy'. This invariably contains a number of shaving items; sorted by importance. It also contains other items related to my other obsessions, um, I mean, 'interests' (boots, jackets, shirts, cufflinks, fountain pens, teas, vintage German Medium Format cameras, fountain pens, inks, etc).

We are not obsessive, we are not.

Wow.......

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Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

I have a document informing me that I started shaving with a straight razor on the 6th of June 2011 and a spreadsheet that calculates the elapsed time since I started shaving with a straight (currently at 2.843185075). 2.843185075 whats carl, 2.843185075 whats, a number on its own means nothing, nothing i tell ya!!!!

Like ace I'm not obsessive about stropping, it's always 30 linen 70 leather, which adds to a nice 100. I cannot do more or less, it's 30 linen 100 leather.

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Obvoiusly continuity is not one of your obsessions carl, do you do 100 or 130 laps, make your mind up man!!!!!!!!
:)

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Originally Posted by edhewitt

Obvoiusly continuity is not one of your obsessions carl, do you do 100 or 130 laps, make your mind up man!!!!!!!!
:)

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Tsk! Now I'm embarrassed, it's 30/70! Tsk! See, I was thinking about the nice even 100...

And it's 2.83 etc years...

I probably should clarify my meaning of the title of my post. I wasn't calling the people or the forum obsessive:nono:. I meant that I was obsessed with it:angel:. I spend hours on it every evening looking at honing, stropping etc. Sorry if caused any offence but looks like I have found the outlet for my OCD :idea:.

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Originally Posted by JFriendly123

I probably should clarify my meaning of the title of my post. I wasn't calling the people or the forum obsessive:nono:. I meant that I was obsessed with it:angel:. I spend hours on it every evening looking at honing, stropping etc. Sorry if caused any offence but looks like I have found the outlet for my OCD :idea:.

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I really wouldn't apologise, if most of the guys here said that they werent at least somewhat obsessive, they would be lying

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Originally Posted by JFriendly123

I probably should clarify my meaning of the title of my post. I wasn't calling the people or the forum obsessive:nono:. I meant that I was obsessed with it:angel:. I spend hours on it every evening looking at honing, stropping etc. Sorry if caused any offence but looks like I have found the outlet for my OCD :idea:.

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No offense from these quarters, I was basically making fun of mySELF :D

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Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

No offense from these quarters, I was basically making fun of mySELF :D

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It's probably best if you get in first Carl :)

No worries man forget the strop today focus on a good shave. Then you can focus on " R.A.D" Razor Acquisition Disorder which turns into "R.A.D" Razor Acquisition Delirium, "Oh look at all the fabulous razors I have." Which in turn leads to "R.A.D" Razor Acquisition Denial " I do not have too many razors honey i just need this Mastro Livi Damascus custom to complete my yearly rotation." Which usually progresses to "R.A.D" Razor Acquisition Debt " Hmmm If i refinance the house I can get that Robert Williams custom 7 day set , yeah!"
Oh and if your worried about your stropping try a 3 inch paddle strop they work great just like the 12 others I have.

Enjoy yourself
Shave like a Champion

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Originally Posted by JFriendly123

I probably should clarify my meaning of the title of my post. I wasn't calling the people or the forum obsessive:nono:. I meant that I was obsessed with it:angel:. I spend hours on it every evening looking at honing, stropping etc. Sorry if caused any offence but looks like I have found the outlet for my OCD :idea:.

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I have OCD, and we have subject matter than enables it. There is a collection of people here who know so much about it that you want to take their suggestions and run with them. Straight razor shaving offers the best possible way to get a close and comfortable shave, but the variables can be overwhelming during the learning process. At least that was the case for me. I have always been fascinated when I see a straight in movies, so it kept spurring me on until I got it figured out. I'm just now getting the stopping and honing down, but there are people here who can build or rehabilitate a razor, brush, and accessories. Don't think I'll ever develop that level of craftsmanship, but I will say that I'm getting pretty doggone good at using and maintaining a blade. The lather, the angle, and being careful (once I was concentrating so hard I sliced a thumb down to the tendon switching hands) is a magnificent obsession that you don't get using a safety razor or those products you see in a typical drugstore or department store.

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Originally Posted by Razorfaust

No worries man forget the strop today focus on a good shave. Then you can focus on " R.A.D" Razor Acquisition Disorder which turns into "R.A.D" Razor Acquisition Delirium, "Oh look at all the fabulous razors I have." Which in turn leads to "R.A.D" Razor Acquisition Denial " I do not have too many razors honey i just need this Mastro Livi Damascus custom to complete my yearly rotation." Which usually progresses to "R.A.D" Razor Acquisition Debt " Hmmm If i refinance the house I can get that Robert Williams custom 7 day set , yeah!"
Oh and if your worried about your stropping try a 3 inch paddle strop they work great just like the 12 others I have.

Enjoy yourself
Shave like a Champion

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Have all the first problems, working on the last! Thanks doc for the diagnosis

Do not strop.....at east you will have one nice shave grasshopper. We all had our first shave at one time and then ruined the egde stropping....now it's your turn .....LOL