Thread: Yet another new guy

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

ruckin, I see that you are in the Washington State area, what part? There are some good people up there that, if close enough, would be willing to mentor you. Glen is a great guy and more than willing to lend and ear to help new people with questions, he is also a great resource for shaving needs such as honing your razor, but he is not the only one there are more here just like him as you have found out with Nessmuck. As to the shaving, take your time and don't get in a huge rush. Actually, that advice can be applied to every aspect of SR shaving.

I live SE of Seattle in the cascade foothills. It is my understanding that there will be a meetup of some sort in Seattle in September. I will most likely go unless I am out of town for work that day.

Ruckin.

Welcome to the wonderful world of SR shaving! You may as well buckle in and enjoy the ride 'cause it just gets better from here on out!

Welcome!

If you got the razor from Glenn, it was shave ready when you started, so the issue you were having with pulling must have been face prep or technique. Since you think you've solved the lather issue, I'll make a suggestion on angle and pressure. First angle: Start at the sideburn area with the edge and spine both flat on your face, then move the spine away just a tad while you make a short stroke. If it didn't cut whiskers, adjust very slowly a tad more; however, keep in mind the most angle you want is two spine widths from the face. Now pressure: almost none...you're not "scraping", you're shaving (cutting whiskers) which is a whole different thing.

Last, if you suspect that you've dulled the razor stropping badly, send it to get re-honed. You can't shave with a dull razor.

Good luck and stick with it. It gets better in stages, but slow and steady is the way to go.

Welcome to SRP. It seems you are on the right track and you got some good advice from our members in the above posts.
They don't come any better than Glen. He will steer you in the right direction every time. He may be the closest to you for honing in terms mailing distance for honing. He can tell you what the turn around time is likely to be for honing.
If you can make the Washington get together you will be very happy you made it.
Enjoy.

A welcome from down south abit

Hi and welcome. Any questions all you need do is ask. Good luck with your shaves.

Originally Posted by ruckin

I live SE of Seattle in the cascade foothills. It is my understanding that there will be a meetup of some sort in Seattle in September. I will most likely go unless I am out of town for work that day. Ruckin.

Ruckin, This is a *really* good idea. 'Puts your learning curve in the rocket sled lane. I have alot less time than I used to, but if your travels bring you down near Portland, let me know. You're welcome to come by, gets some eyes on your technique, try some gear. By all means, make that meet-up. You'll thank yourself.

I found that Lynn Abram's videos on youtube were the most helpful in learning. With that said, I'm about 2 months shaving daily with a straight and am still learning. Just now getting to where I can get a clean shave on my neck. Seems to be a lot about angle and learning how your hair grows. I've also found that either my 6/8 is a much better blade than my 5/8, or it suits be better. The bigger blade seems easier to strop and that might be part of why I get better shaves with it.