Thread: Another first timer

I have been thinking of delving into the world of straight razors for sometime now and I finally made the plunge for the first time this morning. Got my first straight in the mail yesterday and with the assistance of Dr Moss's manual I completed my first shave with a straight.

Only cut myself three times, and that was because I was not stretching my skin at all. Never mind the right direction got to remember to stretch the skin as Dr Moss tells me to do. I must say that this thing is better then the worst double edge shave that I have ever had. I need to admit that I am still using the double edge to touch up from the straight. Eventually my straight is going to take over from the double edge.

I guess that this is ok since its my first time doing the job and I do not have a Mrs who was a hair cutter like Navy Chief. My Mrs is a office worker.

Welcome into the ranks of straight shavers. I think you did very well for a 1st time! Practice will make perfect! On YouTube and Lynn's DVD you will find lots of video info to keep you busy!

If you can get a presentable looking shave with the straight I
would recommend staying away from your DE for touchups.
You'll get the benefit and enjoyment of seeing the progress of
your straight shaves and find them getting closer and closer,
it's really a good indicator and guideline for learning your tech-
nique.

- Scott

Good point scott but there is a reason why I have not done so as yet. Comfort level, being that this was must first time out I was a bit nervous, as my skill and confidence increases I will put away the double edges for my son. Will make more room on the bathroom counter as the double edges take up quite a bit of space.

Just 3 nicks, thats a first shave well done, and t second Scott, stay away from the DE for the touch ups, and do practice shaving with both hands, it'll come in handy.

How often do you hone? How often do you strop? I want to be able to put this one in my will to my son and grand son.

Strop everytime before you shave. Brush or rub on the shave bubbles then strop then re-apply bubbles then shave.

Honeing (with the stones and water) depends on a lot of factors. Most people say every couple months. Touchups on a pasted strop will push that out a little more.

Day 2 - Much better, again very presentable stretched the skin a lot more then on day one and got a better shave out of it, only cut myself once rather than the three times on the first day, this time for some odd reason I banged the blade at a 90 degrees to the skin directly into the chin. Don't quite understand why I did that but I did.

Originally Posted by 0o.Mark.o0

Strop everytime before you shave. Brush or rub on the shave bubbles then strop then re-apply bubbles then shave.

Why lather 2x?

Day 3 - a bit better quality then day two, still not satisfactory quality. Was thinking about all of the straight razor shaves that I have had when I was in undergraduate in Ohio. None of the barbers out there ever used soap of any sort. They would wet your beard and shave away. Going to see how that goes on day 4.

What is your opinion of this method of straight shaving, no soap?