Thread: Beginners Tips: March 2015

Ed

You would think the Nivea Balm and the soap would counter-react. Is my logic wrong?

Originally Posted by edhewitt

Attachment 196774

Over Capitalisation

A lot of new members seem to dive in to this hobby head first, buying everything they can get their hands on, then try to learn everything at once, shaving, stropping, restoration (I question the use of this word in some circumstances), honing, building lather and then wonder why it isn't going too well.
I would recommend starting by getting a nice soap, not necessarily expensive just a good product that performs well, made by a reputable company not an obscure “artisan” soap maker. That way you will be able to get solid advice from others who have used the product (a theme through lots of areas of wet shaving). At the same time, sort out a brush. Again it doesn't need to be an expensive badger, a decent boar will serve you well enough. Semogue and Omega are two well-regarded, inexpensive makers who both have quite a wide product range.


Now that you have these you can start learning to make a lather whilst you choose a razor and strop. It’s up to you whether you bowl or face lather, both have pros and cons. I would recommend starting out bowl lathering as it is easier to see what is going on.
Which brings me quite nicely to bowls. Yes you can buy an expensive scuttle. Yes they do look pretty, but 2 bowls work just as well. If you look around your kitchen you may well find a deep bowl and a shallow bowl. The shallow bowl needs to have a rim the same circumference or larger than that of the deep bowl. Half fill the deep bowl with hot water (experiment here, I can’t tell you what hot is, it is a personal call but hot tap water should suffice) and sit the shallow one on top, voilà a scuttle. I prefer cold water shaving but I did used to do this when I hot water shaved.
Which in turn brings me to cold-water shaving. Cold is as cold as you like, just not hot. I have refrigerated water in the past for shaving but now I use whatever comes out of the tap, some of us like it and some don’t.


For starting out pick one or the other and do it for a while, or you are just introducing another variable. I won’t go too far with this as there are a heap of threads on the relative merits of both.

Attachment 196775

Next you will need to choose a strop. There are heaps out there, just choose something by a reputable vendor in a mid-price range. You should be practising your stropping too whilst choosing your gear. A strip of fabric/ belt/ strip of newspaper and a razor analogue (the oft mentioned butter knife, though anything razor shaped object with a flat edge will do) in my view should be used to get a feel for the flip, pressure and types of stroke – even with a 3” strop you should not just be going up and down, either an X stroke or wiper stroke should be used.


Lastly a professionally honed, shave ready razor – it doesn't need to be new or expensive or fancy just something that will work. Commonly 5/8 or 6/8 hollow ground are recommended which is exactly what my first razor was. You don’t need several at first. However, you will probably want either a second razor or an alternative method of shaving for when your first razor needs maintenance (keep your old cartridge razor if you have a few cartridges left) but you certainly don’t need loads, and most certainly not when you are just starting out. Every razor is different to use and will introduce variables which will make knowing what the issues are much harder. I used the same razor for 3 or 4 months, then I used a different razor for about 8 months with the odd loaner thrown in to let me try new things.


Finally, there are all of the pre and post shaves, hot towels and other fluff. As a pre-shave a basic vitamin E cream worked for me and it also doubles as a post shave healing balm. I use basic aftershaves (brut, old spice etc.) and don’t subscribe to hot towels and such like. I believe that a good shave should be achievable without all the side orders.

Attachment 196776

After almost 2 years I now own 3 straight razors, have sold, given or traded 3 razors and have 2 gold dollars floating around somewhere to practice stuff on, though they are in the hands of others now. I have 2 strops, 4 brushes (2 that actually get used, 1 that I made and 1 badger that I really don’t like), a fair amount of soap and cream (a lot of which were gifts), 2 D/E’s and a small selection of hones – a topic for later in your shaving journey. With what I have I am more than set up for life (except for consumables).

Just fantastic. I'm the poster child for excess. Your approach should be etched in stone. Great post.

Originally Posted by rolodave

Ed

You would think the Nivea Balm and the soap would counter-react. Is my logic wrong?

It doesn't seem to, it thickens the lather a bit i think but that's about all. It's just something I stand doing at the start and I still have some left to use up. Every so often I add a bit of balm and glycerin to the tub and stir it in, especially if any new cream is added.
at my other shaving location i just use a single product to lather (ie no uberlather), i am working through a small mountain of sample tubs I was given.

Not to get your head all swollen up with ego, but this is among the best advice I've ever read for those beginning this adventure.

Originally Posted by edhewitt

Attachment 196774

Over Capitalisation

A lot of new members seem to dive in to this hobby head first, buying everything they can get their hands on, then try to learn everything at once, shaving, stropping, restoration (I question the use of this word in some circumstances), honing, building lather and then wonder why it isn't going too well.
I would recommend starting by getting a nice soap, not necessarily expensive just a good product that performs well, made by a reputable company not an obscure “artisan” soap maker. That way you will be able to get solid advice from others who have used the product (a theme through lots of areas of wet shaving). At the same time, sort out a brush. Again it doesn't need to be an expensive badger, a decent boar will serve you well enough. Semogue and Omega are two well-regarded, inexpensive makers who both have quite a wide product range.


Now that you have these you can start learning to make a lather whilst you choose a razor and strop. It’s up to you whether you bowl or face lather, both have pros and cons. I would recommend starting out bowl lathering as it is easier to see what is going on.
Which brings me quite nicely to bowls. Yes you can buy an expensive scuttle. Yes they do look pretty, but 2 bowls work just as well. If you look around your kitchen you may well find a deep bowl and a shallow bowl. The shallow bowl needs to have a rim the same circumference or larger than that of the deep bowl. Half fill the deep bowl with hot water (experiment here, I can’t tell you what hot is, it is a personal call but hot tap water should suffice) and sit the shallow one on top, voilà a scuttle. I prefer cold water shaving but I did used to do this when I hot water shaved.
Which in turn brings me to cold-water shaving. Cold is as cold as you like, just not hot. I have refrigerated water in the past for shaving but now I use whatever comes out of the tap, some of us like it and some don’t.


For starting out pick one or the other and do it for a while, or you are just introducing another variable. I won’t go too far with this as there are a heap of threads on the relative merits of both.

Attachment 196775

Next you will need to choose a strop. There are heaps out there, just choose something by a reputable vendor in a mid-price range. You should be practising your stropping too whilst choosing your gear. A strip of fabric/ belt/ strip of newspaper and a razor analogue (the oft mentioned butter knife, though anything razor shaped object with a flat edge will do) in my view should be used to get a feel for the flip, pressure and types of stroke – even with a 3” strop you should not just be going up and down, either an X stroke or wiper stroke should be used.


Lastly a professionally honed, shave ready razor – it doesn't need to be new or expensive or fancy just something that will work. Commonly 5/8 or 6/8 hollow ground are recommended which is exactly what my first razor was. You don’t need several at first. However, you will probably want either a second razor or an alternative method of shaving for when your first razor needs maintenance (keep your old cartridge razor if you have a few cartridges left) but you certainly don’t need loads, and most certainly not when you are just starting out. Every razor is different to use and will introduce variables which will make knowing what the issues are much harder. I used the same razor for 3 or 4 months, then I used a different razor for about 8 months with the odd loaner thrown in to let me try new things.


Finally, there are all of the pre and post shaves, hot towels and other fluff. As a pre-shave a basic vitamin E cream worked for me and it also doubles as a post shave healing balm. I use basic aftershaves (brut, old spice etc.) and don’t subscribe to hot towels and such like. I believe that a good shave should be achievable without all the side orders.

Attachment 196776

After almost 2 years I now own 3 straight razors, have sold, given or traded 3 razors and have 2 gold dollars floating around somewhere to practice stuff on, though they are in the hands of others now. I have 2 strops, 4 brushes (2 that actually get used, 1 that I made and 1 badger that I really don’t like), a fair amount of soap and cream (a lot of which were gifts), 2 D/E’s and a small selection of hones – a topic for later in your shaving journey. With what I have I am more than set up for life (except for consumables).

Originally Posted by Haroldg48

Not to get your head all swollen up with ego, but this is among the best advice I've ever read for those beginning this adventure.

Hush, Harold! Who asked you? (kidding!)

Originally Posted by edhewitt

That's right tom, i keep that and my one other razor at home and use them about twice every 3 weeks, the other razor was a gift from phrank or i would only have 2.

The point was to show what i could happily use (and do for the most part) if i didn't have the other stuff I have .

Yes, yes, Edmund old boy! You really should get MY address to send me that Troll brush. Pure, over-the-top decadence, that!

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Yes, yes, Edmund old boy! You really should get MY address to send me that Troll brush. Pure, over-the-top decadence, that!

it could go on a tour I suppose, send me an address

Well written opinions Ed.
Appreciate your minimalist approach as it reminds me of my Gramps and his perspective on things.
Less can be more, as in quality over quantity I am slowly learning myself.
I was one of those that jumped into all aspects of this hobby simultaneously..
Approximately 2 years later I have a few items I should never have looked at, certianly not purchased for the prices paid and still seek those few from makers everyone desires.
But at the end of the day, could have stopped at my dads DE and the first Boker I bought on the Bay. Both are serviceable and still in my rotation..
Thanks again for taking the time to write this up.

Mike thanks for your reply, though my approach is fairly restrained I understand that people like to collect stuff, i buy things i don't really need because I want them. However just to get through the first few months and to the point where you are proficient and know it's for you restraint is a good thing .

Sage advice Ed, but 2 gold dollars?...Takes a brave man to admit that around here. And the Bruno blade is pure indulgence, I can help you out with that.... Seriously, once you are past the learning curve you could get away with one razor, and I did hear of an old local gent who did exactly that with just a Puma and a strop for 20 years. I think part of the reason so many members collect is because they all look, and shave different. Shaving in itself changes from a mundane chore to pure indulgence. I could get away with one or two, but it would be a difficult decision.

the gold dollars were to get a feel for pressure, types of stroke, and to generally muck up practising honing and other repair type tasks, I bought one, loaned it out with some slate hones, so I bought another which I mucked around with and posted to someone else, I agree that one is technically enough provided you are completely self reliant or don't mind growing a beard while you send your razor out for honing.