Quite a few issues

Hi,

This post will have several references, to different issues (or sub-fora). As I am still a "beginner", this seems a right place to go for this, but feel free to move it if otherwise.

Here I go again. In the past few weeks, my "evolution" reached a point where I barely cut, once or twice a week. Never something serious.

Hand made two strops. The two of them are the same size (got three MDF identical stripes: Slightly under 3" by about 20"). One of them is plain leather (not even a lubricant, leather is very thin indeed http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...n-leather.html), another one is a bed-cloth strip with the finest paste abrasive I have. There has been some improvement, but not too much. The longer strop is a lot more comfortable than the shorter one; even with a few passes I get some results. As they are completely flat, the full length of the edge gets stropped.

I have looked for a better shaving soap or cream (I was using Gillette canned spray foam https://www.gillette.com/WebHandlers...iveSkinLAT.png). Got a Gillette "gel" (green something, that turns into white foam quite fast http://cdn.gillette.com/en-US/-/medi...1-201407090612). It seems to be slightly better (strong mint scent, and slightly more slippery than the one I was using). None of them is specifically designed for straight razor shaving, if such a thing exists. I might go back to some of the threads (http://straightrazorpalace.com/soaps...ving-soap.html) for homemade creams/soaps. I've got a brush as well, but it is useless. Even if I soap my face by hand, and try to work on it with the brush, it somehow "kills" anything and leaves a clean surface. It is losing hairs since the very first day. It was very cheap indeed, but will probably try something better in the future.

Future plans? Probably another razor (just if I stumble with something), a nicer brush, and keep an eye open for a better soap (I have to end the gel first, though).

Will keep you updated ;-)

Rgds.

Martin

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?

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

What brand and size is your razor?

Thanks to everyone!

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Originally Posted by Haroldg48

What brand and size is your razor?

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

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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

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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.

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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?

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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....

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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

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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!

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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.

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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....

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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.

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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.