Thread: G'day all from Wollongong Australia

Hi all,
Am a complete newbie to both this site and straight razor shaving and i have to say this site/forum is amazing. There is so much info it would take a lifetime to read! I am eagerly awaiting the delivery of my first straight razor and strop from SRD, i went with a Ralph Aust 5/8th black handle as it was a reasonable price compared to what i could find from Aussie sites and it comes ready honed (a guarantee most aussie sites could not back), plus a latigo red leather 3" strop as well (thought i would start cheaper so i don't wreck or nick a nice expensive strop, will be practicing with a butter knife first too)

I have a question???

I have come from the safety razor scene and have learnt my face contours and growth direction and what i can and cannot do.
How long will this take me to become proficient?

PS I'm in no rush as i know i can learn one area with the straight and continue on with the rest of my face with the safety razor. The one thing that scares me a little is learning to use my opposite hand to shave with.

Looking forward to the journey

First of all welcome to the Site. Now don't worry about how fast you will become proficient. Take your time. everyone progresses at a different pace. I would suggest to watch Lynn Abrams videos on stropping and shaving. since you already use a safety razor you know about creating a good lather and that makes a difference in shaving. Lynn has some very good videos that helped me and i'm sure they will you. Your starting with some good equipment and the razors from SRD do come shave ready so just kick back and enjoy. with straight razor shaving speed is not that important but will come with time and experience. The people here are always ready and willing to share the knowledge they have acquired.

Welcome to the forum. Glad you've signed on.

You'll find the Aust 5/8 a solid shaver. I have one and use it often.

On "How long will this take me to become proficient?" Varies by individual. This sounds like a long time, but probably 6 months. You'll go through stages and feel proficient, but then a little more time and you'll look back and see how much more you've improved. Just about everyone learns something on a regular basis. Stropping, honing, technique, etc., etc. will keep you busy and add to your skill level. The learning is probably the most enjoyable part.

Using both hands......I worried about that too. I'm right handed and forced myself to use the left hand on the left side. It was pretty awkward in the beginning, but my left became the more proficient hand, and still is. It'll come with practice, and faster than you think.

Again, welcome!! Enjoy the forum, and the journey!

You've got a pretty good member right in your back yard. He'll be along soon I'd bet.

Best Regards,

Howard

G'Day Mate and welcome.
Patience is the key Grasshopper and do not put undue pressure on yourself.
All will come in time.

My first suggestion is to willingly accept sub par shaves with your SR for the short term. They are harder to use than a DE and you probably won't find the success you wan and deserve right from the start. But start somewhere you must. Be patient and accept less than adequate shaves as an investment in the future. But lean on your DE and watch carefully what is working with the DE that isn't with the SR. Then try to duplicate the work of the DE with a SR. It'll take time and it's important thAt you be patient with yourself. It's a series of sequences and movements that result in a shave. You will have to develop yours.

Welcome, as has been said in answer to your question, it depends, i found coning in to this as a complete novice (i used to use a mach 3, i did use soap and a brush mind you), that 3 and 6 months were the milestones, at 3 months i could shave well enough to know what advice to ask for to improve, and at 6 months i became complacent and things took a bit of a downhill slide, but then i started concentrating again and things came good.

Oh and you really dont HAVE to use both hands, i am a lefty and pretty much cant use my right hand.

G'day, I find I shave better with my "off" hand, maybe as I'm more careful with it. Just give it a go!

Nice spot the Gong.

G'day & Welcome to the 'Place'.

Welcome to SRP. I recently started with a SR and it is moving along. I think you will be surprised how fast you will pick it up as long as you allow yourself enough time to be able to take your time. Don't rush! I visited Wollongong two years ago with my son and had a very good time. Sydney was fun too. Smooth shaves.

Thanks all for the welcomes!!

Im willing to be patient and just learn in stages, you all seem to be saying the same thing GO SLOW. And I'm willing to do that.

I have decided to start using my left hand (off hand) for my left side of face whilst using my DE razor, so hopefully it won't be a scary jump when using the straight when it arrives.

I have watched the Lynn Abrams beginners straight shave video a few times, can you guys point me toward anything videos or text, that you think is worthwhile watching as well?

Also are there any habits a DE shaver should not take to a SR technique? For example i usually do a 3 pass shave, is that even necessary or possible?