Thread: STR8 Razor Newbie Startup Pre First Shave questions????

Well guys I bit the bullet and ordered the basic startup kit "DOVO 5/8 Complete Straight Razor set w/ Heirloom Paddle Strop" from "The Well Shaved Gentleman Heirloom Razor Strop Company"....

I also ordered the Lynn's World of Straight Razor Shaving DVD...

So here's some of my questions....

None of it has arrived yet, but I'm still anxious to ask the following questions....

What the first thing(s) that I need to do to PREPARE for that FIRST SHAVE????

1.) Do I need to strop the razor BEFORE that first shave, or is it shave ready "out of the box"?

2.) What kind of "prep" do I need to give the "new" shaving brush that comes in the kit before using it? I have noticed comments that these brushes "stink" for a while. What can I do to reomove the "Stinky" before using it? Should I soak it in something like water and baking soda?

3.) How many shaves do I get out of a "new" straight razor before I need to sharpen it? etc...

4.) Besides the "joy" and pleasure of collecting "arcane" shaving instruments why do you guys have more than one straight razor? Is there a specifically "technical" or "scientific" reason why you need more than one straight razor? If more than one is required, what is the optimal number?

Thanks in advance,

Tony

Welcome aboard Tony... Here it is, quick and dirty...
1) You do need to strop before the first shave. Stropping within 20min before the shave really makes a difference. Do it slowly and carefuly.
2) Most people just put up with it for a couple of shaves until the smell gets washed out. You can try giving it a couple of washes with a good shampoo.
3) Depends on the razor and your hair structure/density. The ROT is 10-15, but I do it every 5-10, because I've spoiled myself
4) I got my first couple so I could have backups in case I lose one while travelling, drop one or hit the faucet. What really got me a case of RAD (Razor Acquisition Disorder) was finding out that each razor has a different personality and wanting to try various sizes, origins, types of steel, point shapes, grinds etc etc etc.
I hope this helps answer your very good set of questions. Now sit back, relax and get ready to get addicted

Answers below in blue.

Well guys I bit the bullet and ordered the basic startup kit "DOVO 5/8 Complete Straight Razor set w/ Heirloom Paddle Strop" from "The Well Shaved Gentleman Heirloom Razor Strop Company"....

I also ordered the Lynn's World of Straight Razor Shaving DVD...

So here's some of my questions....

None of it has arrived yet, but I'm still anxious to ask the following questions....

What the first thing(s) that I need to do to PREPARE for that FIRST SHAVE???? Clean an area at your sink so when you emerge from the shower, you have a nice open uncluttered work space. Take a nice long hot shower with the hot water spraying on your face long enough for your pores to open. enjoy.

1.) Do I need to strop the razor BEFORE that first shave, or is it shave ready "out of the box"?
Why even take the chance? Strop it. If you're new to this, remember to go slow at first with very little pressure. Repetition is your friend here, not force. As an aside, they're not normally shave ready out of the box, but it will be if it comes from Tony. Good choice in kits.

2.) What kind of "prep" do I need to give the "new" shaving brush that comes in the kit before using it? I have noticed comments that these brushes "stink" for a while. What can I do to reomove the "Stinky" before using it? Should I soak it in something like water and baking soda? I think Tony uses the Burmashave boar bristle brush. It may stink a bit, and there are any number of methods of removing the smell (search these forums for them). However, I recommend filling the sink with steaming how water before you start your shower. Let the brush soak in there. It will do two things. First, the hot water will draw the residual oils out of the brush over times (a week should do it). Second, your brush will be nice and softened up for when you get out of the shower to shave. This is due to both the heat which softens the bristles and the fact that the bristles will have soaked up some of the water.

3.) How many shaves do I get out of a "new" straight razor before I need to sharpen it? etc...
You get maybe 25 shaves out of a straight before you need to recycle it. Also, you don't want that to end up in a landfill, so send it to;

Menoche Recyclers
400 Iron Mine Hill Road
North Smithfield, RI 02896

Alright, I'm just kidding. The number of shaves on the blade will vary based on the initial condition (probably very good if it came from Tony Miller), your beard qualities, your technique and your care of the blade. If it is very sharp to start with and you strop well before and after your shaves, you could go months, and I've even heard years between honing. Additionally, you could use strop paste and get some sharpening daily when you are stropping, reducing the need for a real honing substantially. The key, and only real measure is the shave. When it starts pulling, it needs something. Maybe it's a good stropping, maybe a honing. Post here if you have issues and the members will troubleshoot with you.


4.) Besides the "joy" and pleasure of collecting "arcane" shaving instruments why do you guys have more than one straight razor? Is there a specifically "technical" or "scientific" reason why you need more than one straight razor? If more than one is required, what is the optimal number? You don't need more than one, lest you suffer from some degree of compulsion, as most collectors do. In that case, you're gonna need many, many razors, soaps, brushes, etc... rinse, repeat.

Thanks in advance,

Tony

You've gotten good advice so far, but I'm going to suggest that you consider doing your first shave before attempting to strop.

Firestart is right, but some guys mess up the edge with poor stropping right out of the gate. Then you don't know if the edge is messed up or if your shaving techique is the problem.

It's normal to have a rough time on your first shave, and eliminating stropping from the equation for just this once helps eliminate a variable.

For that reason, I typically strop the razors I sharpen for people before I send them out.

Good luck,
Josh