Thread: Newbie needing help with purchasing 1st straight razor and some myths.

I appreciate Fud’s forum post "CRITICAL INFO FOR NEW USERS." I am a new member of the SRP (I joined yesterday) and have only recently ‘discovered’ shaving. I have done a lot of research, but have not purchased a straight razor yet. I have a few questions for the shaving professionals:

• I am planning to buy a Kamisori straight razor and am wondering if that is a good brand or one to be avoided?
• How long between stropping and shaving? My morning routine affords me some time approximately 45 minutes to an hour before I shave. Can I strop and let the razor rest for an hour before shaving?
• I have read that a straight razor should rest for 24 to 48 hours before the next use. Is that true?
• I have heard that you should not wipe a razor dry. Just pat it lightly with a paper towel and never use a bath towel (terry cloth). Is that true?

Thanks for the help!

1. No not really a great choice, mediocre at best. You can shave with it though.

2. 45 min is ok, but stropping right before shouldn't be a problem.

3. No, myth

4. No, myth, just be carful of the direction you use, treat it like stropping.

Your questions were answered to the point.

The only thing I would add is instead of buying the razor you intend on buying get something from one of the guys here. You know you will be getting a quality razor that is shave ready.

You should be able to shave within 20 minutes once you have some experience under your belt. The first shaves will take the longest.

You can dry a razor any way you want as long as you dont mess up the edge. Some guys use hair dryers, canned air, towels or strop after shaving.

Get a shave ready razor for sure. Either a vintage one honed by a group member or a new one and have it honed. Myself, Classic Shaving and Vintage Blade all offer pre-honed new razors. Group members like Lynn Abrams, Joe Chandler, Josh Earl and other often have really nice vintage piece that are shave ready.
A popular eBay seller Altima also has nicely restored and honed ones listed each week.

Tony

Welcome

I’m sure you will make good use and take advantage of the search feature to hit the key words to threads covering your questions.

To help start you off: Here is my wicked thread on post care of razors to help field a couple of them..

http://straightrazorpalace.com/showt...ighlight=reset

As for resetting the blade... I’m not so sure it is a myth as the blade does indeed reset with rest.
While barbers indeed shaved a number of people per day, the man of means of the day would have a seven day set.

Marketing or prudence there is the rub. I think the reset factor does give you an adequate excuse to get at least a second razor in due time

Good luck making informed decisions.

.

Ahh yes, the "second" razor. This is an important step because without a second razor how can one ever move onto his third, fourth, tenth, etc........

It's just the beginning <g>

Tony

And that's exactly why you should not buy a second razor or a second anything for that matter. Once you buy the second, holly molly then you loose control and become one of us poor wretched creatures. And then before you know it you'll even be wanting to shave commando style, do you want to become like Rich?

Originally Posted by HazeGray

• I am planning to buy a Kamisori straight razor and am wondering if that is a good brand or one to be avoided?

• Don't. You'll thank yourself later.
  
  
  Originally Posted by HazeGray
• How long between stropping and shaving? My morning routine affords me some time approximately 45 minutes to an hour before I shave. Can I strop and let the razor rest for an hour before shaving?