Thread: Preparing for straight razor shaving

Hello all,

I don't typically post "introduction" threads on forums but thought I might break my own rule here after browsing around. So, hello! I first got the notion of getting into straight razor shaving a few weeks ago... Shaving has always been, well, a real pain in the ass for me, and a very uncomfortable experience, such that I try to shave as little as possible without drawing undue attention at work. I had a straight razor shave a year or so ago at one of the Art of Shaving places and it was the best I'd ever had. As I was pondering spending $40 on another package of Gilette blades, I decided to look into alternatives.

There is a ton of information out there and sorting though it is somewhat daunting, but after some research I plunked down some cash for a TI razor, Dovo strop, some Taylor cream and aftershave, and a relatively inexpensive Vulfix brush. The razor was shipped off to Lynn for sharpening last week and so right now I am in the "anticipatory" stage.

I have been working on wetshaving technique in the meantime with the brush and the cream. Already I enjoy it more than using the "Edge" gel that I've used all my life (I began shaving relatively early). Yesterday I thought I managed to get a decent lather up, but after viewing a YouTube video demonstration, I think I used far too little water. I only bought a small tube of cream and so I need to get a tub or two, I think.

Here are some questions or things that have crossed my mind...

1) I purchased a small tube of Taylor's cream and I like it, although I'd like to try some others. Reading through these forums, some people seem to prefer soap, others cream, and some use soap regularly and then cream for special occasions. Some say the razor "glides" better with the soap, but another article I read referred to cream being the lubricant of choice. Should I get some soap for comparison and if so, are there any soaps in particular to consider? Does soap really last that much longer than a tub of cream?

2) Regarding soaps, I've seen some listed as "triple-milled", some "glycerin-based"... Are those different?

3) Is it necessary to store the razor somewhere other than the bathroom, due to concerns about humidity and rust?

4) Regarding stropping, some say to use the linen/canvas, some say they don't bother... Some say linen first and then the leather side, others the reverse... Some say 15 passes, some 30, some 60... Help! Lots of conflicting info.

5) Same for honing or "touching up" the blade - how quickly should I expect to need to somehow touch up (via strop and some sort of paste, I guess) or re-hone the blade? I know that a dull blade is a bad thing (heck, I've known that since Boy Scouts!) but I don't know what to expect in terms of the amount of shaving that can occur before needing to somehow touch up the blade.

A lot of the material I have read touches upon many of the questions above, but often the information is somewhat conflicting, so I figured it was worth a try to ask here. I've already had a lot of responses to a question I posted earlier about hanging the strop, so thanks - I may be heading over to the hardware store for a hook.

Anyway, thanks to Lynn and friends for providing a place to learn about this art, and thanks to the members for being a friendly and helpful lot. It's a shame that this sort of knowledge isn't passed down anymore, but luckily with the advent of the Internet, it's easier to share it.

Originally Posted by mental

Hello all,

I don't typically post "introduction" threads on forums but thought I might break my own rule here after browsing around. So, hello! I first got the notion of getting into straight razor shaving a few weeks ago... Shaving has always been, well, a real pain in the ass for me, and a very uncomfortable experience, such that I try to shave as little as possible without drawing undue attention at work. I had a straight razor shave a year or so ago at one of the Art of Shaving places and it was the best I'd ever had. As I was pondering spending $40 on another package of Gilette blades, I decided to look into alternatives.

There is a ton of information out there and sorting though it is somewhat daunting, but after some research I plunked down some cash for a TI razor, Dovo strop, some Taylor cream and aftershave, and a relatively inexpensive Vulfix brush. The razor was shipped off to Lynn for sharpening last week and so right now I am in the "anticipatory" stage.

I have been working on wetshaving technique in the meantime with the brush and the cream. Already I enjoy it more than using the "Edge" gel that I've used all my life (I began shaving relatively early). Yesterday I thought I managed to get a decent lather up, but after viewing a YouTube video demonstration, I think I used far too little water. I only bought a small tube of cream and so I need to get a tub or two, I think.

Here are some questions or things that have crossed my mind...

1) I purchased a small tube of Taylor's cream and I like it, although I'd like to try some others. Reading through these forums, some people seem to prefer soap, others cream, and some use soap regularly and then cream for special occasions. Some say the razor "glides" better with the soap, but another article I read referred to cream being the lubricant of choice. Should I get some soap for comparison and if so, are there any soaps in particular to consider? Does soap really last that much longer than a tub of cream?

2) Regarding soaps, I've seen some listed as "triple-milled", some "glycerin-based"... Are those different?

3) Is it necessary to store the razor somewhere other than the bathroom, due to concerns about humidity and rust?

4) Regarding stropping, some say to use the linen/canvas, some say they don't bother... Some say linen first and then the leather side, others the reverse... Some say 15 passes, some 30, some 60... Help! Lots of conflicting info.

5) Same for honing or "touching up" the blade - how quickly should I expect to need to somehow touch up (via strop and some sort of paste, I guess) or re-hone the blade? I know that a dull blade is a bad thing (heck, I've known that since Boy Scouts!) but I don't know what to expect in terms of the amount of shaving that can occur before needing to somehow touch up the blade.

A lot of the material I have read touches upon many of the questions above, but often the information is somewhat conflicting, so I figured it was worth a try to ask here. I've already had a lot of responses to a question I posted earlier about hanging the strop, so thanks - I may be heading over to the hardware store for a hook.

Anyway, thanks to Lynn and friends for providing a place to learn about this art, and thanks to the members for being a friendly and helpful lot. It's a shame that this sort of knowledge isn't passed down anymore, but luckily with the advent of the Internet, it's easier to share it.

I will take a shot at these:

1. I would say to start with the cream and learn to use it well. In my experience creams are generally easier to get a good latherwith than a soap (unless it is a quality soap). Both soaps and creams will work equally well when they are used properly. Check out the badgerandblade forums for some great tutorials on how to make lather with both cream and soap.

2. I don't really know much about the different soap making processes; however, I do know that the expensive high end soaps are usually tripple milled. Although I am not sure what this means, it seems that it is a good thing.

3. It would be a good idea to store the razor somewhere else because of the reasons that you described. Also completely dry the razor and then let the razor air dry for 5-10 min before putting it away. Oiling the razor is usually not necessary unless you plan to store the razor for a long period of time.

4. In my experience the linen is optional/not necessary; however, some people really like it. Use the linen before the leather if you are going to use it. 20 passes on the linen and 30-50 passes on the leather with good technique should be sufficient. It is really the quality of the passes, not the quanity that you should be focusing on though. In my experience you cannot overstrop a razor, but you can understrop it and you can dull the edge if you don't use good technique. Go slow and pay attention to what you are doing.

5. This really is very hard to quantify because it really depends on many factors including your stropping skills, sharpness of the edge, beard toughness, shaving technique, number of passes, tollerance for a dull blade, etc. Lynn says that you should be able to get 3-6 months out of his edges before having to touch up, many people say that they need to do a light touch up every few weeks. I think that you should be able to get at least a month (probably more) out of a Lynn honed before you even need to think of a touch up, otherwise you need to work on your stropping. The simple answer is that your razor will need to be touched up when it starts to pull more than you like and stropping will not bring it back.

Hopefully this helps you out a little. If you have not already done so, I highly recommend you purchase Lynn's DVD in the buy/sell forum as it will answer all your questions including the ones that you have not thought of yet. Have fun.

Originally Posted by mental

...
Here are some questions or things that have crossed my mind...

1) I purchased a small tube of Taylor's cream and I like it, although I'd like to try some others. Reading through these forums, some people seem to prefer soap, others cream, and some use soap regularly and then cream for special occasions. Some say the razor "glides" better with the soap, but another article I read referred to cream being the lubricant of choice. Should I get some soap for comparison and if so, are there any soaps in particular to consider? Does soap really last that much longer than a tub of cream?

2) Regarding soaps, I've seen some listed as "triple-milled", some "glycerin-based"... Are those different?

3) Is it necessary to store the razor somewhere other than the bathroom, due to concerns about humidity and rust?

4) Regarding stropping, some say to use the linen/canvas, some say they don't bother... Some say linen first and then the leather side, others the reverse... Some say 15 passes, some 30, some 60... Help! Lots of conflicting info.

5) Same for honing or "touching up" the blade - how quickly should I expect to need to somehow touch up (via strop and some sort of paste, I guess) or re-hone the blade? I know that a dull blade is a bad thing (heck, I've known that since Boy Scouts!) but I don't know what to expect in terms of the amount of shaving that can occur before needing to somehow touch up the blade.

A lot of the material I have read touches upon many of the questions above, but often the information is somewhat conflicting, so I figured it was worth a try to ask here. I've already had a lot of responses to a question I posted earlier about hanging the strop, so thanks - I may be heading over to the hardware store for a hook.

Anyway, thanks to Lynn and friends for providing a place to learn about this art, and thanks to the members for being a friendly and helpful lot. It's a shame that this sort of knowledge isn't passed down anymore, but luckily with the advent of the Internet, it's easier to share it.

Hi Mental and welcome

I'm not a soap expert (I always use cream) but I think it's a personal choice - whatever works best for you. So I'd say get some soap for comparison so you can decide what you like better. From what I gather, there's soaps and there's soaps. People here swear by either Colleen (Churley) or Sue (mammabear). Contacting either of them might help answer your second question too (I have no idea, but suspect that triple milled and glycerin-based are different )

3. I've never found it necessary to store my razors anywhere other than the bathroom. As long as it's well-ventilated it should be OK.

4. Never owned a strop with a linen side, but in reading posts of others who do, I think linen followed by leather is the norm. Personally, I've never felt the want of a linen side on my strops - all leather has always worked well for me. Somewhere around the 30 return trip mark seems to work fine.

5. Again, there's no hard and fast rule for touch ups on the hone/pasted strop. Learning some sharpness tests (Xman's "In the Deep End" blog has an excellent introduction to the major sharpness tests) is a good idea, and using them before a shave can indicate whether a touch up is required. Of course, so can a shave! Depending on your beard type, blade type, shaving frequency, and stropping technique, your blade could go from a few days (bad stropping - been there, done that!) to a few months before it needs attention.

One of the reasons the info can seem conflicting is that a lot of this varies for each individual, either because of natural variability in individuals or because of personal preferences. One of the best things about straight shaving is finding your own way IMHO (with help and guidance, of course).

Good luck

James.

I will purchase the DVD, thanks. One interesting thing is that while I typically NEVER shave on the weekends, I found myself shaving yesterday just to get some practice with the cream/brush and smell that lovely sandalwood smell. My wife probably thinks I'm nuts (well, she's probably thought that for a long time, just "more nuts than usual" perhaps).

I saw those Moss Scuttles for cream and I'm seriously thinking about getting one. Right now I'm using a cereal bowl; it was either that, or one of my kid's bowls, and somehow having Dora the Explorer peering up at me from behind lather seemed like it would detract from the experience.

Oh yeah, while I'm at it, what's popular/recommended for after the shave? I got some of the Taylor gel with witch hazel and it seems pretty good. I've seen recommendations for Skin Food, bay rum, and of course the various manufacturers have a plethora of other products...

Well, I haven't received my razor yet but I have been practicing the "wetshaving" and doing a little experimentation. Even with my current razor, the shaves seem better, with fewer nicks. Definitely more enjoyable, although now I realize what a pain it is to have 3-4 blades stacked on top of each other because of how quickly they fill up with whiskers and lather. I do have a really hard time getting good, hot water and while I have adjusted the water heater, I do have small children and am trying to keep the temp no greater than 118-120 farenheit to prevent any injuries due to scalding. I may have to find an alternate method, like boiling water before the shower, or something. I think the lack of truly hot water is hurting the process.

I thought I would end up saving money because of not needing to purchase the disposeable blades, but as I purchase different creams/aftershaves and scan EBay for razor auctions as well as the B/S/T forum, I am slowly realizing that this may not be the case... I am looking for less expensive razors because I realize I will need to work on honing. A pasted strop and a hone are probably in my future.

Looking forward to receiving my razor and Lynn's DVD so that I can get started with the actual shaving.

Well, using good brush, cremes/soaps, aftershaves is certainly more expensive than not using them, but as you noticed it makes you enjoy shaving. Getting this better experience will cost you money.
However saving money on gillette cartridges is certainly possible. The cheapest option is switching to double-edge razor. It would cost you probably 20-30 for the razor and .25/razor blade.
Going to a straight razor is both more expensive and hader. Is it worth for you - only you can say. If you are just trying to save money it may not be optimal. If you want to try the experience of using a straight razor I'd say buying a shave ready razor and a strop is worth while (you can always resell it back here for not too much of a loss). If you're not sure you'd like to go long term with straight razors I think it's better to hold on purchasing hone, pastes, junk razor, since it's additional investment in money and time that you don't need to make for a while.

I think you don't want hotter watter either. Too hot of a watter will damage your brush. You can heat it a tad bit more in the microwave if you like, but don't go nuts.

Cheers

Thanks for the advice. I've purchased the initial straight razor/strop already, but I probably won't purchase much more beyond what I already have until I get the chance to actually shave with the straight.

Originally Posted by mental

1) I purchased a small tube of Taylor's cream and I like it, although I'd like to try some others. Reading through these forums, some people seem to prefer soap, others cream, and some use soap regularly and then cream for special occasions. Some say the razor "glides" better with the soap, but another article I read referred to cream being the lubricant of choice. Should I get some soap for comparison and if so, are there any soaps in particular to consider? Does soap really last that much longer than a tub of cream?

I think soap lasts longer. Try Colleens soaps they are awesome and easy to use. Also mama bear Sue has the hugest selection of scents out there. Thats the real advantage of soap it comes in more varieties

Originally Posted by mental

2) Regarding soaps, I've seen some listed as "triple-milled", some "glycerin-based"... Are those different?

These are different, made with different processes. In the thread on Colleens soap she explains the difference in detail. So once you have read the hundred pages of posts you will have learned the answer and also forgotten it just like the rest of us LOL

Originally Posted by mental

3) Is it necessary to store the razor somewhere other than the bathroom, due to concerns about humidity and rust?

Some do. I keep mine in the drawer in the bathroom all the time with no ill effects.

Originally Posted by mental

4) Regarding stropping, some say to use the linen/canvas, some say they don't bother... Some say linen first and then the leather side, others the reverse... Some say 15 passes, some 30, some 60... Help! Lots of conflicting info.

Yes lots of conflicting information out there. I can only tell you what works for me. I do 25 on the linen (roughly) then 30-40 (roughly) on the leather.

Originally Posted by mental

5) Same for honing or "touching up" the blade - how quickly should I expect to need to somehow touch up (via strop and some sort of paste, I guess) or re-hone the blade? I know that a dull blade is a bad thing (heck, I've known that since Boy Scouts!) but I don't know what to expect in terms of the amount of shaving that can occur before needing to somehow touch up the blade.

I touch up the blade when it needs it. Thats the only way can describe it. It starts to dull and pull a little so it needs a touch up on a barbers hone in my case or on a pasted paddle for others. I need to do this more often for some razors than others so its kind of an individual thing.


goo luck when you get your razor back!! Sounds like you are off to a great start. By the way if you want to save $$$ you have almost all you will need to shave comfortably for the rest of your life. If you get hooked on razors or any of the other collectibles in this hobby you can soon go broke. I think I will break even in a decade or so provided I only buy the soaps or cremes I need between now and then.

I have to recommend Colleen's soaps, as well. I think she currently has her last sale of the summer, if any of her new scents get your fancy.
Plus the soaps you can use with any kind of shaving you end up (unless you don't like them but there's plenty of soap reselling/trading on the other shaving boards).
Yes, you are set on a great start and right now and as long as you don't pick any kind of AD you'll save money.
Me, in the last 2 weeks I've already spent on soaps and razors more than I'd have spent my old way over the next 2 years. But now I love my shaving and wish my beard would grow and my skin will regenerate faster. Oh, and my new motor skills to be developing at a faster pace

Originally Posted by gugi

as long as you don't pick any kind of AD you'll save money

It may be too late, I am already hooked on creams and probably soon soaps as well, and then of course those beg for just the right brushes, and then... It can only get worse once I get into the razors.

But, a man is entitled to his "hobbies", right? At least, that's the story I'm preparing for my wife, who has already given me a raised eyebrow as I hustle past her with packages of stuff destined for the bathroom.

And it looks like Colleen just responded to my email, what timing! It's Providence!