Thread: First Straight Razor

New to this forum and I just bought my first Straight Razor. Posted it in the PJM/C-Mon thread already but I realized I should introduce myself here. My buddy got into straight razors right before me and gave me some pointers. From him and after a Google search I found this place and I've been reading and learning since.

Any tips pointers or suggestions please feel free to share.

Rick

Welcome to the forum. Pic of razor?

Welcome from SE Washington State and to the most helpful website about Straight Razors you will find.

As will be pointed out--a Properly Honed straight razor is the most important aspect there is. With one it will eliminate so many variables.

Back in the day when a young man needed to start shaving his father, older brother or even perhaps an uncle would be there to guide him one on one. These days we rely on having others offer help.

I think one of the main things to remember is to GO SLOW as it's not a race and forget those movies with the guy whipping a razor back and forth on a strop--you'll ruin your strop that way.

Ask all the questions you want. Even if they have been answered many times they will be re-answered.

Welcome to an Older But Better Way Of Shaving

Originally Posted by JP5

Welcome to the forum. Pic of razor?

Please excuse my poorly staged pic. This was taken directly after I opened the packing envelope.

Welcome aboard, take a look thru our library.
Its a treasure cove of information, that can answer a lot of your questions, or just ask openly in the forum.

Were more than happy to help, in any matter of wet shaving. We have guys here, with decades of straight shaving experience.

BTW, nice looking razor. A simple cleaning, and some metal polish, will have that looking nearly new.

Send it off to be cleaned up and honed. Many reputable guys here that can handle this. All one has to do is ask for help.

Welcome. I really like the scales on your razor. Enjoy.

Welcome. Between us, your new razor and your friend, you’re off tho a good start among people who can help and advise.

Keep learning, and have fun!

Welcome to the rabbit hole careful not to fall too fast too quickly.


As was mentioned above a properly honed razor is key. Other than that take your time, if your new to wet shaving as well there is also learning how to get a good lather, stropping etc.


My tips (others might disagree with some)

get a decent but not very expensive strop (you will likely damage your first) a good brush and cream or soap lots of stuff here about these items so I won't get into detail here.

take your time learning, don't expect the perfect shave immediately, I can get a BBS shave with canned goo and a cartridge razor, my face may be on fire with razor burn afterwards but I can do it. Once you get it down you will get the best most comfortable shave of your life.

if your new to wet shaving in general avoid pre shave oils (here is where I get lynched). My reason for suggesting this; if not used right pre shave oils can destroy your lather (especially face lathering) and the line between proper and not proper is very fine. If your learning to lather you don't want this additional variable in "why can't I get good lather". Once you learn to lather and you are doing it consistently then experiment with pre shave oil if you like.

Shut the bathroom door securely and tell any family you need to left alone when shaving especially when learning, I didn't shut mine tight enough one time and my large maine coon came in and did his stand on hind legs and bump/fall into the back of daddy's knee routine (thankfully I was rinsing the razor and not actually shaving at the time)

Other than that enjoy your trip, take one thing at a time and try not the blow all your money collecting

Welcome to the forum.

Welcome to the forum, Rick!

Plenty of information here in the Library and forums, and if you cannot find any particular answer on your own, be sure to ask a member for help. That's what we are here for after all.

Cheers!