First Straight Razor Delivered!

So, I happily received a box from SRD yesterday afternoon. Pulled it out and sorted out my SRD 3" Latigo black strop, some assorted goodies (Musgo cream) and the Black Ralf Aust 5/8" Straight Razor. It also included Lynn's World of Straight Razor DVD which I popped in and watched this morning.

Now, fortunately I had some time and decided to go ahead and work on my first SR shave this morning. I've been doing DE for about a month, and still learning a few tricks on that but have been getting reliably close shaves. I've had enough fun on the DE, that I've actually been shaving more often . . . :p So, time for the SR.

I have some AoS pre-oil which the jury is still out on . . . so I decided to skip that after my shower and go right to the Col. Conk Bay Rum Soap. I had expressed some problems before on getting enough lather for a few passes(found out I was adding too much water to the brush and just watered down the load), but that worked itself out pretty well in the last week. So, I lathered up and carefully tried my first pass with the right hand, just down the right sideburn. (WTG)

Angle felt pretty good, and the razor glided down with no pull. In fact, I had to stop myself as I quickly realized I was half-way down the sideburn and was still making a single stroke. Of course, my angle suffered a bit with the longer stroke, but I reset and made shorter, 1/2 inch to inch strokes which allowed me to hold the angle much better.

From there, I stopped, realized I felt pretty good and decided to move on to the side of the face/cheek area just to take another pass. Again, short, careful strokes and it seemed to go pretty well. So, with that, I stopped and assessed my comfort. I actually felt really comfortable with the razor and decided, more out of curiosity, to see how I could manage with my left hand.

Now, fair warning, I am right handed, but with nearly 30 years in martial arts, I am pretty decent at doing some things left handed, and I have had a myriad of weapons I've used ambidextrously in the past. I feel pretty comfortable with a blade, and felt like I was using really light pressure. So, I made a sideburn and cheek pass WTG on the left. Surprisingly, it wasn't as smooth as the right, but I felt fine with it.

From there, I was curious as to how I would guide the blade across different parts of my face, and with the comfort I had in right and left sides, I decided to just play and see how I could align the blade to go WTG across my face. I used a light touch, and if I wasn't certain, I pulled the blade back and either skipped that part or reset my approach. Overall, I actually did a whole WTG first pass with the straight. Only parts I skipped were the cup of the chin, and a few paths on my neck. I have a pretty thin neck and pronounced Adam's apple and wind pipe, so the angles were a bit interesting. With a DE, I've gotten used to which path is about the width of the DE, with the straight, it's width made it a little more difficult, so there were a few spots I didn't quite cover.

Now, how close was the shave? It wasn't, I was much more about running the razor lightly over my face just to get the feel for it. I didn't care about how close the shave was, as long as I was shaving some whiskers, not going Sweeney Todd on my face, and getting a feel for the blade. The super light touch, I had no irritation, and while it jumped on my face some, it was a reminder to realign the angle.

First face wash - no irritation, no nicks, perfect success for a first SR shave. My original intent was just the right side, but after going all over, it was fun and pleasant, so I decided, roll the dice and go again. I didn't quite feel like one pass with a straight allowed me enough to do a XTG or ATG pass, but why not do another WTG? This time, I just did the parts I felt good with, sides, and straight parts of the neck. Ignored the roll of the chin, mustache area, jawline and Adam's Apple. Added a bit more pressure (more, I kept the razor weight off me and made it really light at first; this time, I let the razor weight fall on my face) and went around. Now the razor was doing it's work, and honestly, closest shave I've ever had in a single pass. Granted . . . I did technically two passes now, but still I was on a WTG pass.

Again, no issues and so lathered up and switched to my DE to finish the job with a X and ATG pass. Afterwards, cold water, wash, used some Aveda After-Shave and cleaned up. Dried off the straight and put it in my Sack-Up Protective Sleeve and moved it onto my dresser for storage.

Overall review. The Ralf Aust was awesome. Good feel, easy shave. I'm not an expert, but I couldn't have expected more from a first shave. Period. Only thing I have to say bad is that the black plastic scale was a bit more flimsy than I expected, but that's me TRYING to find an issue! And for a razor at that price, I'm not complaining AT ALL!

I also have to say, the 3" SRD Strop I have yet to use (that's tomorrow - didn't want to mess up the perfect hone on day 1), but that strop is awesome. I was expecting it to be a bit flimsier, lighter, cheaper made, etc., because of the price, but while I could see a more expensive strop having thicker leather . . . the hardware and everything else about the strop seems top notch. Granted, I'm not an expert, but I feel like I got a steal from SRD and am very happy with what I've got.

I definitely thank this site and some people having posted things on YouTube for some great direction to get started, and careful warnings. I figured it would be harder, but I'd rather start slow and timid, and realize I can go a bit further, than try to go to far too soon, and get frustrated or hurt. Thanks everyone!

sounds like your of to a great start. I'm sure you'll keep getting better at it but don't be surprised if you get a few nicks now and then. i've been at it for about 8 months and still nick myself and some days the shaves are better than others. it's all part of the fun/challenge.

Congratulations! That sounds pretty much like my first modern era R. Aust SR shave (my first try was 35 years ago). Keep at it and keep following your instinct on when to pause, stop and revisit angle, etc. You'll do well as long as you don't get too rushed or overconfident too soon. (By the way, we all do!)

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Originally Posted by tintin

....don't be surprised if you get a few nicks now and then...

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Originally Posted by Haroldg48

.... as long as you don't get too rushed or overconfident too soon. (By the way, we all do!)

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I fully expect a few marks along the way, but really happy with day 1 and looking forward to day 2. Now, to figure out this stroping thing. :)

Each step is an adventure. Watch the stopping part of Lynn's DVD since you have it. He's a great coach!

Great for your first time. Pretty you'll be wondering what was the big deal was all about. Difficult.......pshaw!


Mike

Good for you! I applaud your careful approach. Many new shavers want to jump in the deep end and do everything at once and need strong bailing out. You were right to not try the strop on day one since you bought from SRD, and that meant your razor was Lynn shave ready. Regardless of who honed a razor the first shave of a freshly honed razor should never be stropped for the first shave off of it. What I tell people about stropping, other than read about it in the SRD Library or FAQ and watch good vids on stropping, is to use as light a pressure a possible. I describe it as a 'feather light' touch. It will help you from rolling the edge and dulling it.

One other thing. On shave prep let me suggest for a pre-shave a small dollop of Cremo or Kiss My Face rubbed into your beard on a wet face and then lather up.

Good luck and ask questions.

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Originally Posted by Haroldg48

Each step is an adventure. Watch the stopping part of Lynn's DVD since you have it. He's a great coach!

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Yeah . . . looks pretty easy ;) Actually, I think the biggest thing I've learned so far in this process is to take your time. Yes, this is a much slower process than grabbing a cartridge and slashing through your beard (both in learning curved and actual performance), but part of the fun in life is enjoying each moment anyway, right? :)

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Originally Posted by Razorfeld

Good for you! I applaud your careful approach. Many new shavers want to jump in the deep end and do everything at once and need strong bailing out. You were right to not try the strop on day one since you bought from SRD, and that meant your razor was Lynn shave ready. Regardless of who honed a razor the first shave of a freshly honed razor should never be stropped for the first shave off of it. What I tell people about stropping, other than read about it in the SRD Library or FAQ and watch good vids on stropping, is to use as light a pressure a possible. I describe it as a 'feather light' touch. It will help you from rolling the edge and dulling it.

One other thing. On shave prep let me suggest for a pre-shave a small dollop of Cremo or Kiss My Face rubbed into your beard on a wet face and then lather up.

Good luck and ask questions.

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I think I picked up the feather light touch on the first pass with the SR. :) So I'm hoping I can carry that over to the stropping without too much trouble. And thanks for the advice on the pre-shave. I haven't really decided if I think the AoS oil is worth it, but I have it so I'm playing with integrating it into the shave or not. I might try some Cremo since I can pick it up locally.

Great to hear from another soon to be addict. You will love that Ralf Aust!!

Thanks for sharing.
Nicely documented.
Takes me back (not that long ago actually) to my first truly "great" shave.
A Ralf Aust 7/8 from Obie.
Enjoy the journey

Congrats and be safe. Oh and welcome also. I hope you have many more uneventful shaves.

sounds like you are off to a great start with some top notch equipment, keep at it:gl:

I wish all newcomers would read your post.
That would save them a lot of trouble.

You picked up some quality gear from a renowned vendor, did your homework and finally paced yourself instead of rushing straight out of the gate.
Well done!

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Originally Posted by Birnando

I wish all newcomers would read your post.
That would save them a lot of trouble.

You picked up some quality gear from a renowned vendor, did your homework and finally paced yourself instead of rushing straight out of the gate.
Well done!

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Thanks! I'm a bit of a geek . . . I study things before I do them, but then try to do them right. I have zero building experience, but finished my basement mostly by myself. Took longer than a pro, probably spent some extra money on books, equipment, time, but I got it done well. Decided I wanted a Siberian Husky, and took about 6 months researching the breed and talking to people, and found one of three core breeders in the country to get one from. (Racing stock, not just show/pretty pure bred). Not that money isn't an object, but I'd rather spend a bit extra for the right tools/right experience and then venture off on "oh, look at the deal I just got!" as opposed to get a great deal to start off and horrible experience.

Thanks everyone for making it a good transition so far!

Sounds like you got off to a great start considering! You did a good job even though you are right handed. It just goes to show that you tried or you. You never know unless you try. It's good to be ambidextrous in many cases for at least that reason......................it seemed to work in that way! Good going, you did a great job!

And first stropping today . . . not quite as easy, but seemed to work ok. I stropped before, did a WTG pass in my "comfortable areas" and called it a day. Not much in the way needing to shave, but decided to just see what the SR did without any help. Obviously not as close, but still comfortable and enjoyable.

After I cleaned up, I went with some practice stropping again, and actually found it a bit easier to glide with focus on just keeping the razor weight on the spine. Heard a nice draw on a few passes, something I didn't quite get on the pre-shave strop.

My guess - my pre-shave strop wasn't really a strop, but I didn't ding the blade nor the leather up, so it was still a good shave. Post-shave strop probably actually did some good, so we'll see how tomorrow feels.

Update for day 3 . . . stropping seemed to be a success! I have the premium fabric and leather, so I did about 15-20 passes on the fabric and about 40 on the leather. A few passes I never got the blade down on the strop very well, but I figure I did probably about 35-40 good passes between the two strops.

Used a mug to actually lather the soap instead of my face, and seemed to be a bit more consistent lather, especially for later shave passes.

I used the straight for actually 2 WTG passes. The second pass I tried a bit of an angle on some of the passes, so almost a XTG stroke, but not quite. On my cheeks I did a true XTG with no issues, but otherwise, second pass was still WTG. Did a third lather and played around with positioning for a ATG pass on the SR, but then grabbed the DE to finish the job. I didn't intend to actually go ATG with the SR, but mainly was trying to figure out hold/angle/position/etc. To me, the act of setting up for it a few times will probably make the job a bit easier when it comes to actually doing it.

DE did two passes - one X and one ATG. And the thing I loved is that with the earlier work of the SR, I felt like I didn't have a blade in the safety razor. Instead, it glided across the skin and cleaned up without a problem! Great shave, no nicks on either platform!

I'm quite pleased with progress thus far . . . my goal in the coming shaves is to get accurate enough to settle for one WTG SR pass. Right now, I'm still using a pretty light touch (sometimes keeping the blade weight off my face), and so some spots I miss a bit. But, again, I'd rather have two light, safe, easy runs than one messy one and a date with the styptic . . . :)

As for XTG and ATG passes . . . I think I'll keep playing with them on my cheek/sideburns as I get better with WTG elsewhere. No rush there, and really, my DE is getting so much less work to do . . . :p

It sounds like you are getting better. Even though you had to use the de a little bit, you are getting the job done more with the straight, even though you held it lighter but once you get the straight down right, you will always have a much better, closer shave & will feel better doing so. I have a de for when I'm in a hurry but since I've owned it for a couple months, I've only used it once. I had a doctors appt to go to & didn't have much time for a shave so I used it instead but it still felt like I didn't get quite as close a shave with it like I did with a straight razor. I can tell you are doing progressively better as time goes. Keep on like you have been & you will rely on your straight more & more as time goes on.Keep your de for when you are in a hurry & don't have the time enough for a shave with the straight. Also keep stropping before & after each shave to keep your straight sharp for the next use. Good luck my friend!

Thanks! And yeah, fun so far, and no real issues! I figure the ATG later will be the more challenging spot later on. Then again, I'm going for complete comfort with the blade WTG and not rushing into X/ATG until I'm comfortable with it - DE goes fine there!

In the meantime, the DE still gets to run a few laps, and I really do like the feel of that razor to, so options will abound. :)

For what it's worth, I haven't found pre-shave oils to be any benefit, but YMMV. I wash my face very wetly with Dove soap and rinse, again very wetly, then go right to face lathering while my face is still very wet. I also now do my lathering and shaves cold water...of course it's summery here still, so it feels good.

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Originally Posted by Shaotzu

I think I picked up the feather light touch on the first pass with the SR. :) So I'm hoping I can carry that over to the stropping without too much trouble. And thanks for the advice on the pre-shave. I haven't really decided if I think the AoS oil is worth it, but I have it so I'm playing with integrating it into the shave or not. I might try some Cremo since I can pick it up locally.

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Attachment 178910

Just thought I'd show off . . . :)

Nice razor Shaotzu! Also, thanks for recording your experience. It has been very useful to read through this as I prep for my first day with the blade :)

I found the AoS pre shave oil a bit sticky and don't use it anymore. I have tried a few others and found them better, but still not what I was looking for. Now I just use some Nivea face wash or proraso pre shave cream depending on my mood.

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Originally Posted by Picassov7

Nice razor Shaotzu! Also, thanks for recording your experience. It has been very useful to read through this as I prep for my first day with the blade :)

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Good luck and let us know how it goes! I will say, I've been playing with the straight almost every day and it hasn't dissappointed at all. I normally don't shave on Sundays and I've been tempted to anyway. At this point, while not completely 100% comfortable across all aspects of my face, my WTG pass is pretty solid with the straight, and I can move XTG in a few spots with relative ease. Stropping technique has improved substantially and feel like, unlike on day 2, I'm actually doing something with the fabric and leather.

The advice to go slow and steady and do what is comfortable is 100% right on. At the same time, trust yourself and it's not that hard, it's just time and practice!

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Originally Posted by ruckin

I found the AoS pre shave oil a bit sticky and don't use it anymore. I have tried a few others and found them better, but still not what I was looking for. Now I just use some Nivea face wash or proraso pre shave cream depending on my mood.

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Yeah . . . I will say, I do like the sandalwood scent on it though. :) But yeah, the pre-shave oil does seem a bit sticky to me as well. I might try a few things, but really, I'm not seeing much issue with the various creams/soaps I have been using, so not sure I need to do too much to focus on pre-shave treatment. Then again, I am playing with lots of variables right now anyway (straight vs DE, different blades in the DE, lathering soaps vs creams, etc.), so not sure adding another facet to my shave is going to really tell me anything. Instead, right now, I'm mainly looking for what feels comfortable and yields decent results, and then I can start tweaking.

In other news though, my lathering technique appears to be working much better!