Thread: anxious to start

Hi.

I'm very new to straight razor shaving and only have a month of experience. Here are some of my thoughts and opinions from one newby to another...

It seems there are two aspects to shaving. One is to actually shave and the other is to hone/strop the razor.

If I were to start all over again, I would watch one of the internet (you-tube) videos that show the techniques of how to shave. Next, I would get a completely dull and blunt-edged razor (so dull that you could not possibly cut yourself with it) and would just lather my face and practice scraping the lather off. It's important to know how to handle and position the razor against your skin while looking in a mirror. Remember, these things are Extremely Sharp and a gross error could leave you with a serious slash in your face.

Next, I would watch one of the videos that shows how to hone and strop. I would then practice stropping the blunt razor just to get the feel of how it's done. This might prevent you from damaging your new razor and strop.

After this, I would lightly strop (just a couple strokes) the new razor then try to shave just the sideburns and cheeks of my face. Do as much as you're comfortable with but, don't push your luck if you're feeling uncertain. Finish-off the shave with a disposable if necessary. Practice a little every day until you gain ability and confidence.

If you're starting off with a professionally sharpened razor, you probably won't need to hone it for a while. If possible, get a junker razor and practice honing it. Maybe try honing your blunt razor. I've discovered that junker razors often have warped or bent blades and it's hard (almost impossible) to get an evenly sharp edge so, don't get upset if you're unable to make the edge perfect.

This is not the way I did things as, my father showed me how to straight save in the mid 70's. I did it a few times back then and had the benefit of someone to show me how. My father was a tool and die maker and I briefly worked as a machinist and have the benefit of basic metal-working ability.

I started with a new (but not shave-ready) razor and had to endure a few days of trial and error to make it shave-ready. I simultaneously learned to hone/strop and shave over a period of two weeks. I now have one professionally sharpened razor and three old razors that I reconditioned myself. They are all equally sharp and each seems to have a different personality. I rotate through them each day and can get a shave better than with a disposable blade. Shaving takes about 15 minutes but, it's going a little quicker as I become more adept.

At this stage of the game, I'm learning about the different styles of razors and in due time, would like to build my own custom set.

Finally, I gather there is a DVD available here that provides straight razor information. I'm tempted to get it myself but, don't know what topics it covers...

Sorry for the rambling post...

Take Care

Ray C.

Originally Posted by Ray C

Hi.

Finally, I gather there is a DVD available here that provides straight razor information. I'm tempted to get it myself but, don't know what topics it covers...

Ray C.

Lynn's DVD "The World of Straight Razors" is truly comprehensive. It covers pretty much everything a new shaver needs to know - razors, hones/honing, strops/stropping, shaving, resources, minor restoration, etc. Its about 3 hours long and for less than $20 its maybe the best money I've spent on this whole process. I highly recommend it.

For major restoration, Bill Ellis offers a CD on his site Billysblades.com that is comprehensive on that subject.

Just my $.02

Jordan

I would shave once without the strop. That way, you'll have a baseline for what it feels like to shave with a straight and if you have problems after you strop, you'll know you botched the stropping (which is a common mistake).