Thread: Yet another new guy

I think the single, very best advice I received when I started straight shaving was this: 'Shaving with a straight razor is beard reduction, not beard removal.' That's why multiple passes are required. You will get the hang of it. For me personally, it took about 3 months of shaving 3 times a week to become comfortable and proficient. Stay the course.

I don't oil my blade after every shave, but I don't keep it in the humid bathroom either. When I oil the blades in my rotation, I use a light coat of mineral oil (yes, the laxative). It is cheap and effective. I also use this on any oil stones I rarely use.

For your strop... rub your hand on your greasy neck and face occasionally and rub it into the leather. That should keep it good for a while. Every once in a while, hit it with you shave soap or some good old fashioned saddle soap. I wouldn't oil it with anything not approved for that strop and/or leather.

My two cents.
Welcome.

Chris
(14 month straight shaver)

I have been shaving with a straight for a few months now. I think my best advice is watch your angle of attack. For about 3 to 4 months I was focusing on everything but that and I would get close but uncomfortable shaves even to the point that I thought that my razor was dull. I had good beard prep and good quality überlather and thought that I was doing good. And then all of the sudden one day without realizing I reduced my blade angle and I noticed how smooth it felt and shaved even better. I was probably shaving at about 45° thinking I was at 30°. So now that I am focusing on a lower angle I'm now getting that nice Baby-butt smooth shave without the irritation I was getting. So I would say if your first shaves are harsher than you like, it may be your angle. Reduce it and see if that is your problem