Thread: Quite a few issues

Thanks to everyone!

Originally Posted by Haroldg48

What brand and size is your razor?

"Polo" from Solingen: http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...ew-guy-ba.html I really don't know much about it, though.

Originally Posted by BobH

Neither the of the Gillette products you are using are made to use with a brush, it just won't work. Rather than messing around trying to concoct a homemade shave soap bite the bullet and get a real shaving soap or cream made to be lathered up with a brush. Also get a decent brush and learn how to make a good lather with it. A good quality brush, shave soap or shave cream does not have to be expensive to work well. A good lather goes a long way to making for an enjoyable shave.
Bob

Thanks, Bob. I tried to get a commercial one, but it looks like nobody had them in stock. I might try to make one by my own in the future. A brush, OTOH, seems easier to get. I just picked the first one I found.

Originally Posted by Hirlau

The fact that you have identified the issues that you don't like & are considering a change, ,, is a good first step.
How do you maintain your razor's edge?

Honed it (my first razor in this aspect too): http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...-question.html and http://straightrazorpalace.com/hones...pressions.html. Strop in pasted strops every now and then (no tape, first on a green paste "fine" compound, and second in a white paste "superfine" one). Strop on clean leather prior to every shave.

Rgds.

Martin

You have the internet and you should be able to get a good commercial soap and a good brush that way. If you start making your own you have no way of knowing what a good shave should do or even feel like. Might be a bit of a waste of time. When you are starting out eliminate as many variables as possible that way it is easier to figure out what is wrong.

Bob

and good doesn't necessarily mean expensive. You can easily buy adequate real shaving soap and a decent brush for $35. There's a whole recent thread here about good soaps under $10....

Originally Posted by BobH

Martin

You have the internet and you should be able to get a good commercial soap and a good brush that way. If you start making your own you have no way of knowing what a good shave should do or even feel like. Might be a bit of a waste of time. When you are starting out eliminate as many variables as possible that way it is easier to figure out what is wrong.

Bob

I like do it yourself projects. However sourcing all the stuff for a good shave soap is going to be a bigger pain than just ordering some nice soap. There are many, and as stated they needn't be expensive. I too live a long way from all the fancy stores and mail takes forever to get here. It is the best way though.

Thanks again!

Originally Posted by BobH

You have the internet and you should be able to get a good commercial soap and a good brush that way. If you start making your own you have no way of knowing what a good shave should do or even feel like. Might be a bit of a waste of time. When you are starting out eliminate as many variables as possible that way it is easier to figure out what is wrong.

Originally Posted by Haroldg48

and good doesn't necessarily mean expensive. You can easily buy adequate real shaving soap and a decent brush for $35. There's a whole recent thread here about good soaps under $10....

Originally Posted by RezDog

I like do it yourself projects. However sourcing all the stuff for a good shave soap is going to be a bigger pain than just ordering some nice soap. There are many, and as stated they needn't be expensive. I too live a long way from all the fancy stores and mail takes forever to get here. It is the best way though.

I like DIY projects too, but sometimes they are kind of difficult to start up with. I will keep trying to buy it. It is almost impossible to buy something in Buenos Aires (Argentina) from abroad, but there are most probably shops with stock on a selection of them, even if it is not a huge one.

Rgds.

From what you have said you have a shaving razor and a serviceable brush so you just need a soap to start. Something like arko or Palmolive shave sticks can be had for a couple bucks and will work well. Just start with something like that then you can start upgrading to a better brush and soap if desired later but at least you will be headed down the right path.