Thread: Hello

welcome and all the best! giving yourself the best possible start for a successful leap into straights is not a bad thing

Welcome! If you have questions please ask, and post some pictures when your new toys arrive

Welcome! Be patient, do lots of research to prepare and you will be rewarded with great shaves. After my own learning curve, I would not shave any other way than using a straight. As long as I have a choice!

Make sure to keep your angle very shallow (blade close to your face), use an EXTREMELY light touch. No bearing down on the razor. Stretch the skin to keep it flat in front of the razor (this is paramount.) You can puff out your cheeks, pull your mouth to one side, whatever works. Just make sure to keep the skin smooth and flat in front of the razor.

Depending on where you purchased your TI, it may or may not be shave ready. If you wish, you can PM me and I can give you my own opinion based on where you bought it as to the odds of it being shave ready.

I like your attitude about making sure your tools are top notch to begin with. I wish I would have started out with that myself! I would have saved a fair bit of money.

Welcome. Two things you will want to be sure of. Most important the you start with a truly shave ready blade. Stropping is very important. You should study up on that before you start.

Hi and welcome. Sounds like you are giving yourself a good start. Good luck with your shaves and any questions feel free to ask.

Welcome! I hope your start is a good one, and encourage you to read as much on here as you can, especially in the Library section and watch some videos on stropping, lathering and shaving. Links can be found throughout the Library and some of the posts in the beginner's section of the Forum. Here is a link to the libraryBeginner's guide to straight razor shaving - Straight Razor Place Library

Practice stropping. Practice with a newspaper and a butter knife or a belt and butter knife.

Your next expense could be a honing and a new piece of leather if you don't get the hang of stropping.

I have yet to buy a razor that was not shave ready from any seller that offers the first honing free. There are several on the net.

Good luck.