Thread: Finally success!

I have finally "finished" my first (sideburns to jaw) straight razor shave with no nicks or cuts
Feeling really good about it and for the first time, i really can't wait until my next shave!
I was wondering a few things:
1) I have a really short and thin loom strop (I think its what you call it). I already asked this before but i was wondering if you have any videos showing the proper way to strop a razor with this kind of strop. (X motion and stuff like that)
2) Between strokes, do you guys just wash your blade to remove the cream and hair from it or do you wipe the blade with a cloth towel?
3) I have also kind of asked this too but post shave razor treatment - what do you do to keep you razor in good condition?
Thanks all!

Originally Posted by Tankus

I have finally "finished" my first (sideburns to jaw) straight razor shave with no nicks or cuts
Feeling really good about it and for the first time, i really can't wait until my next shave!
I was wondering a few things:
1) I have a really short and thin loom strop (I think its what you call it). I already asked this before but i was wondering if you have any videos showing the proper way to strop a razor with this kind of strop. (X motion and stuff like that)
2) Between strokes, do you guys just wash your blade to remove the cream and hair from it or do you wipe the blade with a cloth towel?
3) I have also kind of asked this too but post shave razor treatment - what do you do to keep you razor in good condition?
Thanks all!

Congratulations! In awhile you won't be able to imagine shaving any other way.

I rinse my blade very carefully under the tap after a shave using hot water. I wipe the lather during a shave on a cloth folded over the sink. Others use a sponge, which is something I have to remember to get.

After your shave, rinse it in very hot water, try not to get any water in the pivot area, just get the blade nice and clean and hot. Use some tissue to carefully dry the blade between the scales, and set it to air dry for an hour or so.

For me, at this point I will strop the blade, 20 linen, 60 leather, then a drop of Tuf-Glide on the pivot pin area, and then I store the blade in a razor sock (which just became available at SRD).

Cheers!

Thanks for your answers.
What do you mean by "very carefully"?
During the shave, wiping the blade on a cloth towel doesn't ruin the blade?
(Sorry for the noobie questions)

Originally Posted by Tankus

During the shave, wiping the blade on a cloth towel doesn't ruin the blade?
(Sorry for the noobie questions)

Only if you were using a sandpaper towel. No abrasive qualities in a towel that I can see (or feel). I use a large wetted sponge with a paper towel on it to wipe the lather off the blade. Clean up is easier, just throw the paper towel away. There have been reports of people dropping their razor or banging it on the tap and causing damage. I've trained myself to never put the razor down till I am done shaving, switching hands as needed. This is done in total concentration on where the razor is at all times to avoid accidents, cuts and weepers. A lesson hard learned.

By "very carefully" I think Phrank meant to just be mindful when rinsing off the blade.

There has been many a thread with subject lines like: "Oh crap!" "Dinged my edge on the faucet" etc... Watch where the edge is at all times and you should be good to go. Nothing worse than a chipped or cracked edge from just being careless

I rinse my razor's blade under hot water keeping the pivot and scales dry. Never get water in the pivot, it will rust or stain the shank unless dried out immediately and oiled. I enjoy peace of mind using my Friodur stainless razors.

After getting a couple of 2 " schmiss on my cheek, I learned to stretch my skin. Fortunately they healed without scaring and I need not tell people that I was schooled in Germany.

I then learned to keep the location of the edge always in mind after cutting my left hand. Unfortunately, I still had to learn to always keep the location of any moving body part in mind after hitting my left hand against a stationary razor edge.

I damaged two razor edges, one by hitting it on a faucet and another that I dropped on a rug hitting an object on the floor. Both were small dents that honed out.

Originally Posted by Tankus

I have finally "finished" my first (sideburns to jaw) straight razor shave with no nicks or cuts
Feeling really good about it and for the first time, i really can't wait until my next shave!
I was wondering a few things:
1) I have a really short and thin loom strop (I think its what you call it). I already asked this before but i was wondering if you have any videos showing the proper way to strop a razor with this kind of strop. (X motion and stuff like that)
2) Between strokes, do you guys just wash your blade to remove the cream and hair from it or do you wipe the blade with a cloth towel?
3) I have also kind of asked this too but post shave razor treatment - what do you do to keep you razor in good condition?
Thanks all!

1- Look up afdavis's stropping videos, they are very good.
2- I wipe the blade on the outside of my forearm (like a really short stropping motion) to get the lather off durng my shave, at the end i strop it once in each direction on my towel, or a bit of old rag, then i wash my arm and face, (my razor never gets wet)
3- I really do nothing post shave except stropping my razor, 50 laps on leather, i then put it away and repeat from step 1 the next day.

If you want your razor all shiney then dont follow my example.

Congratulations! It's a great feeling.

As for what to wipe your blade on I use a sponge for the following reasons.

1. It helps to keep the razor dry and safe from rust.
2. A sponge is very easy to clean. Just rinse off and squeeze dry
3. It keeps my blade away from anything that will ding, chip, or damage it like the faucet
4. It saves water since I don't have to run water down the drain rinsing my razor
5. Sponges are cheap. 2 pack for $2 at Menards
6. They dry quickly

There are many ways and I have tried many ways but the sponge is by far MY favorite.