New to it all...

Hello.

I wanted to make my entrace to the forum and club of straight razor shaving.
I have been looking into taking the plunge for a long time and recently purchased a Theirs-Issard razor when I was away on a trip. I am facinated by the art that is shaving outside of my old typical ways of turning on the electric razor or using an old mach 3 that's under the sink. I shave almost everyday, due to the military and my significant other...but honestly, I can't grow a good beard anyhow! haha.

I am really open to hear from veteran suggestions as far as techniques and things of that nature...I have really thick facial hair and anything to help make the whole process a much smoother one is nice to know. Also, I got a strop with my razor and it was recently chewed up by one of the pups, and I have a big background in wood working and some leather stamping...was thinking about making my own? Any advice would be nice there too.

- Tee

Welcome to the SRP forum!!!

Hi and welcome. Check out the library for all the starter info and the other basics of Sr shaving. Tandy is recommended regularly for leather. Good luck

Hi, and welcome to the SRP family !! Like eddy79 said check out the forum's library, ask a lot of questions because there are members with a wealth of knowledge that are very willing to share, Just take your time so you enjoy the journey!! :chapeau

Welcome to the forum! This is definitely the place if you have projects in mind. Search around to see what others have done in making homemade strops. You are sure to find a wealth of information. Good luck! :)

Welcome TeeZeeMee! In case you have not seen it yet, start here:

Beginner's guide to straight razor shaving - Straight Razor Place Library

For your other questions just type in "Scale Making" or "Strop Making" into the Search Engine and get ready for information overload! :) Watch plenty of Videos and then post in the various Sub/Specialty Forums when you are ready for more details!

Enjoy the journey... And, if what others have reported that initially had difficulty with beard growth, once you have some time in SR Shaving you may notice your hair follicles operating on an entirely different level! ;)

Shawn
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Haya TeeZeeMee, welcome to the site

Best advice is don't start a drinking session and say "hey guys guess what I can do" then try to shave - it will end in tears

Beyond that reading up is part of the fun to start with.

Thanks everyone for the warm reception!
I will let y'all know what my first attempt at making a strop turns out to be!

My homemade strop is a 3" wide strip of roo leather that i sanded smooth, then fixed a hinge over either end of as a stiffener, put a picture hanging loop thingo on one end to attach a piece of strig/clip too, and a d ring made from bent wire to the other end as a handle and away i went.
I am sure you could make something prettier though.

Thanks for the heads up!
I think I am gonna use some of my carpentry skills to help with the process, and make it somewhat unique and ergonomically friendly for me.

Welcome to the community.

Does anyone know if TIs come "shave ready"? I have done my last couple shaves with minimal cutting, getting used to the areas I have done so far but I notice that I dont get a really smooth shave...there still some roughness to it. I dont know if it is my razor or just my technique...probably the second. I am just curious if I need to get my razor honed.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TeeZeeMee

Does anyone know if TIs come "shave ready"? I have done my last couple shaves with minimal cutting, getting used to the areas I have done so far but I notice that I dont get a really smooth shave...there still some roughness to it. I dont know if it is my razor or just my technique...probably the second. I am just curious if I need to get my razor honed.

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As far as i know they dont come shave ready from the factory, but some vendors will hone them prior to sale, so it depends where you got it from.

Tee, welcome to the community! You will find plenty of inspiration and even make friends. A fellow wood worker here, I'd love to see what you come up with.


Crackers, now that was funny! I actually laughed out loud, thank you.

Welcome to SRP TZMe,
Technique, stropping, and prep are the first culprits to look at.
It may be beneficial if you can find someone close to spend an afternoon with.
As far as TI's being shave ready from the factory I have heard mixed reviews,
If you find an experienced member close by they could check it for you as well.
If you are not close enough to meet with someone face to face feel free to shoot me a PM and we will get you going.

Pat

For the strop Jimbo did a how to guide which is now a sticky at the top of the strop forum.