Thread: Few questions I should've asked before my purchase

So I already got everything, but after my first shave some questions came up. I'm sort of regretting some of my purchases such as my straight razor - DOVO stainless steel 5/8. I'm now considering getting a new straight razor - Thiers-Issard Sheffield Silver Steel Tortoise 5/8. It's sort of a tough decision for me considering I'm only a rising college sophomore, and just got my first job ever. So far this has costed me over $300.

Another regretful purchase was the Musgo Real pre-shave oil and two tubes of Musgo Real shaving cream. The reason I bought two was I saw it was only 3.7 oz, and I thought I'd finish it pretty quickly. I don't think I put enough water in it since I'm experiencing some razor burn. On top of that I really don't like the "manly" musky smell. It overpowers my prefer fresh scented aftershave of Aqua Velva and my Cool Water cologne. I'll be given the opportunity to sample out soap and would not like to make the mistake of purchasing the wrong scent (I don't know what some of the scents are). Of course unscented is an option, but I kind of like something that has a smell. So suggestions on soaps/creams and pre-shave oil would be very much appreciated. I suppose colognes and aftershave would be nice too. I'm up for experimenting with new things. The cologne I have is $13, but I get a really tiny amount. So something that lasts longer, has the same scent, and isn't too strong of a smell would be great. Same goes with aftershave, although I'm pretty satisfied with what I have.

Another question I have pertains to stropping. I have the Norton Diamond Stropping Paste, and I was wondering if I should apply water to the surface of the strop and paste before I strop or if I should just strop it dry. Another question about stropping is I only bought 1 syringe of 0.5 micron stropping paste and left one side bare. Is it okay for me to strop with the 0.5 micron side and then have a finish strop with the bare side? Or should I still use stropping paste with a revised regimen of one side with 1 micron paste, while the other side has 0.5 micron paste?

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oh one more thing about a future purchase. I'm thinking about getting a scuttle. Is this a good idea? If I got with shaving cream there doesn't seem to be any problems. However if I decide to go with shaving soap, which I am leaning more towards, then I have the issue of finding soap that'll fit a scuttle. I'm completely open to ideas/suggestions.

Berticus,
I'll weigh in on the stropping and razor questions. The Dovo should be a fine razor, stainless or carbon. They will not arive shave ready and need to be properly honed before use. Without this step every razor for the most part will be a let down.

For the Amplex pastes, for our use on leather strops using it dry is best. For it's intended industrial applications though it is often used as a wet lapping medium but on hard surfaces.

You do not want paste on your daily stropping surface. They are only for occasional use as a razor dulls. Top use it every time will just lead to an over honed edge and poor shaves.

Tony

Thanks for the tip Tony about the razor and stropping. I have answered all my other questions myself after doing a lot of purusing around classicshaving.com and searching the net.

You can get really good shavers shave ready for about 30.00 on ebay. I have used altima55. I do not think spending a lot of money is the answer. I use Walgreens shaving soap, Walgreen alqua velva clone after shave, any conditioner my daughter left in the shover, a barber hone, then Miller's pasted strop, then his 3 inch strop. Shaves good enough for me.

Jerry

Welcome to the group. Lot's of knowledge here. Whatever you do, hang in there. It'll get better, if you give it time and effort. Best advice I can give you is to be patient, both about your performance and in purchases.

Don't worry too much about the scent of soaps. Once you rinse it off it pretty much goes away (either that or I'm just desensitized to it at that point, LOL)

For a soap, I heartily recommend the performance and scent of Muehle Shaving Soap Aloe Vera - Oakmoss with Mint found near the bottom of this page: http://www.opulenceofsouthernpines.c...g%20Essentials

Hi,
A few recommendations/observations regarding your questions:
-strop dry. Also, paste isn't for everyday use. Linen and then leather will suffice for many shaves without a touchup on the hone and paste.
-I wouldn't recommend pre-shave oil. If you read some of the threads here, it seems about 50/50 on whether its of value or not. I tried it and didn't notice a difference on the shave. However, it was harder to stretch the skin (it was slippery!) and I think it was harder to clean my brush afterwards.
-Your Dovo 5/8 should be wonderful. I have used two of them. I use the Dovo Special 5/8 now (tortoise), I believe its Carbon, and it is a wonderful razor. Your problems are NOT with the razor, but with the sharpness of the edge.
-I absolutely love Clubman Pinaud and Dominican Bay Rum as aftershaves. They smell great, last a while, are not overpowering, and soothe the skin.
Good luck and be patient!
R

My recommendation would be to send your razor off to get professionally honed if you have not done so already. New Dovo razors are not shave ready and you will have no chance of getting a close and comfortable shave unless it is honed properly. You can pm Lynn (adjustme69) about his honing service and he can set you up.

For Soaps and creams I want to suggest you pm Colleen AKA SRP member churley about her catalog. Best stuff right there.

X

Originally Posted by xman

For Soaps and creams I want to suggest you pm Colleen AKA SRP member churley about her catalog. Best stuff right there.

X

I concur. Of course that thread about her soaps that has about a gazillion positives and has been viewed by the entire planet at least a dozen times MIGHT be wrong, LOL.

Hyperbole? ME???? Nah