Thread: Beginners' Tips: March 2016

Time for a ‘what if’ column of beginner’s tips.
If I could go back and start all over what would I have done different? Let me count the ways.

1. I would read the entire Library first.

2. Watch a lot of videos before making any decisions.

3. Forget that eBay existed.

4. Haunt the classifieds if my budget was limited.

5. Introduce myself, finally, to the forum and listen with unbiased attention to everything that was written.

6. Make no snap judgments on razors based on looks and prestige of brand name.

7. Find the nearest Mentor, even before buying anything, since most Mentors are willing to sit down with you and let you try a few razors in actuality before you decide where to invest your money.

8. Not fall for the hype over all the different soaps and creams, their fragrance and other people’s recommendations.

9. Face the fact that even if you have sharpened knives you have no understanding of the honing process and all its subtleties. Definitely not attempt any honing for the first one or two years, concentrating on learning how to re-fresh an edge first.

10. In the beginning a brush is a brush is a brush.

11. Post your experiences. Even the hardened shaver is open to learning something new. Reading about the basics every so often helps clarify why you might be having a rough time with a part of your shaving routine.

12. Choose your shaving friends carefully, all you have to go by is the printed word.

13. Know your financial limits. You still have bills and/or a family to look after.

Oh how I love hindsight - I would have to agree with everything that you've said.

I'm still a beginner (6 weeks in) and I amazed at how my thoughts have changed on things. For example, I bought a soap and though it was average. Another I thought was amazing. Today I just thinking how now I find that there is basically no difference between the two!

So you have said, but in not so few words... go slow with the purchases!

Actually, looking back, I have no regrets...

I don't regret buying a Gold-Dollar as my first razor.. I had an amazing experience with it, and still having, actually :]
I don't regret buying that 15$ strop from ebay, because today I use it as a CrOx surface :]
I don't regret trying to hone too early, because I didn't do any damage and it made me learn quite a lot on razors :]
I even don't regret buying 20 razors on my first year... I really like them, and hope to give them some day to someone willing to learn the art of shaving :]

One thing I "regret" is living in Israel, where there are no mentors to be found nearby and wet-shaving is a very peculiar thing to do :\
Hopefully, in 2 years we'll move to NY, and I could finally get a proper learning experience :]

The only fly in the ointment is the proximity to a mentor. For some of us there are none near enough to make it a practical option to take advantage of. That and the high cost of postage plus honing pushes you to learn to hone your own much earlier than would be ideal.

Bob

Originally Posted by Haim

Actually, looking back, I have no regrets...

I don't regret buying a Gold-Dollar as my first razor.. I had an amazing experience with it, and still having, actually :]
I don't regret buying that 15$ strop from ebay, because today I use it as a CrOx surface :]
I don't regret trying to hone too early, because I didn't do any damage and it made me learn quite a lot on razors :]
I even don't regret buying 20 razors on my first year... I really like them, and hope to give them some day to someone willing to learn the art of shaving :]

One thing I "regret" is living in Israel, where there are no mentors to be found nearby and wet-shaving is a very peculiar thing to do :\
Hopefully, in 2 years we'll move to NY, and I could finally get a proper learning experience :]

Are you aware that manah, a mentor lives in Israel? He is an in depth source of knowledge, both on the history of, the use of and the reconstruction of straight razors. He is worth looking up and doing a day trip, if necessary, to meet with him.

Originally Posted by Razorfeld

Are you aware that manah, a mentor lives in Israel? He is an in depth source of knowledge, both on the history of, the use of and the reconstruction of straight razors. He is worth looking up and doing a day trip, if necessary, to meet with him.

Heard much about Manah... I looked him up two years ago, when I started, but couldn't reach him... Didn't answer my emails or my PMs in STP...
I use his site, though.. Lots of good information there... I really wanted to make the trip to sit with him.. 4 hours drive is really worth it. But my last resort was to drive up and just show at his workshop, so...
So, hey! Here's something I regret..!

Manah is a mentor. I suggest that you contact him again.

Originally Posted by Haim

Didn't answer my emails or my PMs in STP...

Haim,
it's a very strange. I specially looked PMs history now and found nothing from you.
Overall, I'm always here (SRP) or I wait your email.
Also there is a facebook group גילוח קלאסי ישראל.

Originally Posted by manah

Haim,
it's a very strange. I specially looked PMs history now and found nothing from you.
Overall, I'm always here (SRP) or I wait your email.
Also there is a facebook group גילוח קלאסי ישראל.

I figured it didn't reach you then.. And as I said, I tried once and didn't persist..
Thank you for reaching out!
I'll contact you soon...