Here is yet another thread about starting to shave with a straight. If you find these posts dull go ahead and put this thread on ignore.

I had been straight curious for a little while and I think that the awesome PIF from Nessmuck was what caused me to jump in and give it a try (even though I didn't win). I ended up contacting gssixgun about the beginner strop on a board. For some unknown reason I asked if he had a razor suitable to a noob... I must also thank Glen for being really patient and answering my stupid questions. I got a Liberty razor. I don't know an darn thing about it and since this is the only straight I have ever had in my presence I nothing to compare it with but I like it but it seems like it works for me.

I stared wet shaving May 31 so I am still trying to figure stuff out. I told myself that I would start trying to use my new razor on the weekends when I would have some extra time and not feel rushed like I would be on workdays. My first two attempts can't properly be called shaving.. The first day I stood in front of the mirror trying to figure out how to correctly hold the razor angle the blade and still see myself in the mirror. I made a few tentative strokes and was impressed with how much pulling of whiskers. So I put the razor down and finished with a DE. The next day I made a couple more strokes and the lather/angles were not correct. The blade skipped and began to scare me a bit so ... back to the DE. - sigh After getting done with shaving I put a bit of mineral oil on some TP and lightly wipe down the blade and wrap it in the oil paper it came in.

Today I started the day by spending some time watching how to strop videos and then stropped the razor (Hope I didn't take the edge off too badly). My lather was much better today (different soap and brush) and I managed to do my all the way down to the jaw line on my dominant side. I then spent some time trying to figure out how to change grip/angles to do mustache, chin, throat and oh ya the other side of the face. I was concentrating so hard on trying to keep the angles and not drop the now slippery razor that I was a bit surprised to find that I had removed most of the shaving cream from my face. I set the razor down and rinsed and checked the results. Hmm not as good as with my DE but I am not bleeding either. Sooo I relather and try again with different angles (not WTG). I was struggling with holds and angles and managed to nick myself a couple of times so I finished the chin/mustache with the Slim and lathered up for a third clean up pass.

I pulled out the nick stick and took care of the nicks and then my brain must have turned off when I grabbed my sample of Captains Choice Cat of Nine Tails aftershave. WOW! I guess I had a bit more irritation to the skin and/or micro nicks than I thought! Now that my face is no longer on fire I stopped the razor and put on a light coat of mineral oil so it will be ready for tomorrow.

I am coming to the conclusion that I have a long ways to go on my technique but have been happy so far on my progress up the learning curve. I can see that some time in the future I will probably need a second razor for when I need to send one out for sharpening. What is normal turn around for this? I assume a few days in the mail, xx days in the show and then a few more days in the return mail?

In closing I would like to thank nessmuck and gssixgun for pushing me down this slippery slope.

Ruckin