Best shave so far.

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08-30-2007, 01:41 PM
Arthur Dent

Best shave so far.

As I have posted in the past, I have had some problems getting started with the straight razor. For my last posting, it would seem, that my stropping was killing my blade, my shaving technique was way off, and my prep work could have been better.

I would like to take this time in thanking everyone that replied to the postings. I found all posts very helpfull. It is nice to find a support group for this new hobby.

From the last post. I was killing my blade with my stropping. I found that my strop was no tin the best of conditions. It had many high and low spots. I took care of that with a little stoning. It rought it up a little but after some rubbing it feels pretty good.
As for my blade, it was looking like I would need a re-hone, I had asked Lynn, and had posted about using a Franz swaty stone I had picked up to touch up the blade. It was reconmened to try a couple strokes on teh swaty. I ran a couple of strokes on the swaty, and stropped with the re-conditioned strop. Taking my time, slowly using only the weight of the blade. Ran about 50 to 60 strokes. Looking at the blade, the edge looked like a mirror. So at this time I don't think I need a re-hone, but now I am looking at antiuge stores and flle markets for older razors so I will most likely need a honing service in the near future. I now have a Boker Red Injun that I am trying to re-condition.

As for prep work. After washing my face, I use the hot towel, and start on the lather. I have recieved my Mama Bear soap the same day I put the stone to my blade, and tweeked the strop. I had bought Vanilla Musk, and Marauder's Citrus. The Vanilla Musk smells awesome. It makes my want to put on my kilt, go out drinking, and get in a fight. I think I'll save this one for special occasions. The Marauder's Citrus is like a slash of bay rum with a twist of tangerine, and is now my daily shave soap. I cant get a realy good lather even with just a boar brush. I think I will bite the bullet and invest in a good badger brush in the next few weeks.

As for technique, I was not streching my face tight enough. I am also training my left hand for the left side shave.

This last shave there was very little pulling, and the only issue I had was from the left hand. Gave myself a real nice slice right next to the corner of my mouth. Chicks dig scars and kilts, right? Even with the cut I and very pleased with how this is going. I still need a lot of practice, to move slower, and take my time. Too bad my beard grows so slowly.

So untill next time. Thank you for all the support.
08-30-2007, 06:40 PM
billymeter

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arthur Dent

As I have posted in the past, I have had some problems getting started with the straight razor. For my last posting, it would seem, that my stropping was killing my blade, my shaving technique was way off, and my prep work could have been better.

I would like to take this time in thanking everyone that replied to the postings. I found all posts very helpfull. It is nice to find a support group for this new hobby.

From the last post. I was killing my blade with my stropping. I found that my strop was no tin the best of conditions. It had many high and low spots. I took care of that with a little stoning. It rought it up a little but after some rubbing it feels pretty good.
As for my blade, it was looking like I would need a re-hone, I had asked Lynn, and had posted about using a Franz swaty stone I had picked up to touch up the blade. It was reconmened to try a couple strokes on teh swaty. I ran a couple of strokes on the swaty, and stropped with the re-conditioned strop. Taking my time, slowly using only the weight of the blade. Ran about 50 to 60 strokes. Looking at the blade, the edge looked like a mirror. So at this time I don't think I need a re-hone, but now I am looking at antiuge stores and flle markets for older razors so I will most likely need a honing service in the near future. I now have a Boker Red Injun that I am trying to re-condition.

As for prep work. After washing my face, I use the hot towel, and start on the lather. I have recieved my Mama Bear soap the same day I put the stone to my blade, and tweeked the strop. I had bought Vanilla Musk, and Marauder's Citrus. The Vanilla Musk smells awesome. It makes my want to put on my kilt, go out drinking, and get in a fight. I think I'll save this one for special occasions. The Marauder's Citrus is like a slash of bay rum with a twist of tangerine, and is now my daily shave soap. I cant get a realy good lather even with just a boar brush. I think I will bite the bullet and invest in a good badger brush in the next few weeks.

As for technique, I was not streching my face tight enough. I am also training my left hand for the left side shave.

This last shave there was very little pulling, and the only issue I had was from the left hand. Gave myself a real nice slice right next to the corner of my mouth. Chicks dig scars and kilts, right? Even with the cut I and very pleased with how this is going. I still need a lot of practice, to move slower, and take my time. Too bad my beard grows so slowly.

So untill next time. Thank you for all the support.

Don't forget your towel.

42.
08-30-2007, 08:53 PM
dave5225

Glad to hear your shaves are getting better , Arthur :tu . Sounds like you're hooked :D .
08-30-2007, 11:17 PM
Dewey

Great attitude to keep developing the smooth shaves of your dreams! :)
08-31-2007, 02:02 AM
Arthur Dent

I try not to let it get to me. If I cut my self, I think well that didn't work, next time try doing it this way. This hobby is becoming an addiction. More razors! More soap! More Bay Rum! I did get some new towels. Since an now shaving left handed I needed some dark ones. And I always know where my towel is.

Arthur
08-31-2007, 03:02 AM
izlat

Wishing you many more best shaves :)

Cheers
Ivo
08-31-2007, 03:35 PM
billymeter

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arthur Dent

I try not to let it get to me. If I cut my self, I think well that didn't work, next time try doing it this way. This hobby is becoming an addiction. More razors! More soap! More Bay Rum! I did get some new towels. Since an now shaving left handed I needed some dark ones. And I always know where my towel is.

Arthur

Am I the only one who gets your name? Or is everyone else just not commenting on it? :shrug:
08-31-2007, 03:43 PM
floridaboy

(Not Commenting) Congrats, you are on your way, just keep doing what works for you, half the fun is finding it.

Phil
08-31-2007, 03:46 PM
izlat

Quote:

Originally Posted by billymeter

Am I the only one who gets your name? Or is everyone else just not commenting on it? :shrug:

No, you aren't. And people (not me, btw) have already commented on it :D

Cheers
Ivo
08-31-2007, 03:58 PM
dave5225

Quote:

Originally Posted by billymeter

Am I the only one who gets your name? Or is everyone else just not commenting on it? :shrug:

Call me clueless , I don't get it :confused: .
08-31-2007, 04:21 PM
floridaboy

Had that talk with some one today, and yes we had TV when I was growing up. Black and white, But it was TV.

Phil
08-31-2007, 06:28 PM
billymeter

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave5225

Call me clueless , I don't get it :confused: .

Arthur Dent is the main character from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
08-31-2007, 11:58 PM
dave5225

Thanks Brad , looks like I'll have to read that book . I don't recall ever hearing of it . I must be getting behind the times lol.
09-01-2007, 12:30 AM
Kyle76

Quote:

Originally Posted by billymeter

Am I the only one who gets your name? Or is everyone else just not commenting on it? :shrug:

Been commented upon previously, but worth bringing up again because it's a hilarious set of books. I read the first three when they came out. Never did get around to the last one ... :(
09-03-2007, 04:44 AM
vgod

i have been using a str8 for about 3 months, but only about 8 shaves under my belt. do most people learn to shave with both hands vs. only their predominate hand?
09-03-2007, 05:53 AM
billymeter

Quote:

Originally Posted by vgod

i have been using a str8 for about 3 months, but only about 8 shaves under my belt. do most people learn to shave with both hands vs. only their predominate hand?

I've only have a handful of shaves under my belt as well, but I've been focusing shaving only with my predominate hand. It's a little awkward at first but you start to get use to it. Some people use both their hands though. It's all just a matter of preference and what you're comfortable with. Hope this helps :tu
09-04-2007, 02:23 AM
Arthur Dent

I kept getting a blind spot when I moved over to the left side. So I changed up. Not too bad for my week hand. So far I have one good slice on the left side right at the corner of my mouth. I now look like Ichi the Killer minus the rings. I did have a shave right before my friends wedding, without a single cut. I look good in a tux.

Big local flea market. Found a nice Taylor Sheffield, and M. Jung bone handle. Also a nice barber hone. More on those later, in the another section. Now I think I'll have a shave.