Thread: Noobe just got initiated!!

Hi all,
I just took a leap of faith and shaved with a straight today. It was an adrinaline rush and a bloodbath. I used a DOVO INOX 5/8 (bought from another forum member as shave ready), T&H 1085 cream, and B&B brush. The shave came out a little better than a DE shave but a little more "raw" on the skin. I had three small cuts that were due to too much pressure and dragging. I begin to think that the razor is not as "shave ready" as I though and need a little more work on the blade. All in all, I thoroughly enjoy the shave but only because I had all the time in the world to do so. I survived!!!. Andy

Congrats Andy! Keep practicing. The technique will improve. You'll need a strop if you don't have one.

Jordan

You got probably got pretty darned shave ready if your results were that good on the first try.
Mind the stropping and shaving technique.
Coming off the strop well makes all the difference for me.

I think that you have a shave ready razor. AS you did not mention strop. You might want to check out Tony Miller, You will find him in the members list. He sells same excellent strops, and has the best customer service. You need to strop befor each shave, but it sounds like you are well on your way. Keep it up and do not get discouraged.

Phil

Thanks you guys. I stand corrected about the shave readiness of the razor. I currently do not have a strop and am still reading on it. Thanks for the tip with Tony Miller. I'll get in touch with him after I find out which strop I'll need. I can't wait until the next shave. Andy

I'm not sure if it's advisable to try another shave without stropping. If you do, make sure you stop if it's not comfortable - it's not worthed messing up your skin.
I don't think you can tell which strop you need - as far as i understand they are all fantastic with a slightly different feel for the different finishes. You wouldn't know what you prefer until you try several It looks like though most people end up preferring whatever they used first.
I think newbies usually get some version of the pasted paddle which also serves for light touch-ups and seems to provide a nice transition towards honing.

Read some of the other newbie threads concerning strops, but no matter what you order from Tony it will be a great choice.

Originally Posted by gugi

I'm not sure if it's advisable to try another shave without stropping. If you do, make sure you stop if it's not comfortable - it's not worthed messing up your skin.
I don't think you can tell which strop you need - as far as i understand they are all fantastic with a slightly different feel for the different finishes. You wouldn't know what you prefer until you try several It looks like though most people end up preferring whatever they used first.
I think newbies usually get some version of the pasted paddle which also serves for light touch-ups and seems to provide a nice transition towards honing.

Read some of the other newbie threads concerning strops, but no matter what you order from Tony it will be a great choice.

The hell with that! Skin grows back!
Welcome to the world of straights!!!

Get a strop!

Until you get it you can use a leather belt. Using a razor without stropping is very unlpeasant for me. I just plain refuse to do it. Heck, I'd strop on my forearm or palm pad if I didn't have anything else.

Can't really know about shave-readiness - but it doesn't sound so; I think it's more to do with your technique.

Good luck
Ivo