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I’m preparing to move from using disposable 2 bladed Gillette razors (Gillette Good News! Model) to a straight razor I’ll try and get in a kit from The Topher. One piece of advice I heard was to start using a more abrasive face wash, to help even out the skin ahead of time. Can anyone back this up, or disprove it? Any other advice I should be heeding in the week or three before The Topher finishes his project, and can supply me with my first razor? Thanks all!
When I first started shaving with a straight, I had no clue about preshave oil and suffered some skin irritation as a result. I suggest finding some. It doesn't have to be fancy. Your local Walmart, if you have one, sells a product called, "Shave Secret." Its not the best stuff but it works. Just rub it again against the grain before you lather up. If you are fortunate enough to have an ULTA around, check out the American Crew line of preshave oils. Stay away from their shave creams though, they are greasy, nasty and cake to the blade.
Also, a badger brush never hurts either. I had a Boar brush thinking it shouldn't make too much a difference. The wife got me a badger brush for Christmas and they lather much better. Just my two cents!!!
Kyle
Ok, I haven't moved to a straight razor yet.. am waiting on a custom job to be finished but here is what I'm doing:
1. got a cheap reasonable DE razor and am using that to prep my face (coming from an electric) - why DE? because you can start playing with the angles a bit and it will get you used to ambidexterity.
2. Exfoliating twice a week BEFORE the shave with King of Shaves KX pre-shave in the shower, though any cheap exfoliant will work - I don't agree that you need to do this if you are already on blades as opposed to electrics
3. Bought some cheap shave soap (proraso) that isn't half bad to use with a badger brush I have had for a long time - if you don't have a brush, you can purchase a cheapy to get you by till Topher puts together that kit for you. Get used to making lather before you get the razor, it's an art in itself.
4. Got some after shave balm (cheap - nivea extra sensitive) to use after the shave.
5. Look on youtube for some of Mantic59 's videos on shaving, there are some really fantastic tips there http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=mantic59
6. Reading/watching all I can about every type of shaving, so I have the theory down pat before I even set hands on a straight.
Beyond that, I'm not getting a kit so I've started putting together some products to use on my skin, sticking mostly to the body shop stuff which tends to get reasonable reviews and isn't overly expensive or scented (so I can wear cologne). I now have their shave cream and arbor after shave balm - though I haven't tried them yet as I only just got them today.
Hope this helps