Thread: What do we really need to start?

Originally Posted by looking

^^^


Thanks for the info guys, keep it coming. Is 1 blade really enough??? I'm worried that I strop the blade incorrectly and have to get it rehoned, which would put me out of commission. I'm not sure though...if you guys suggest 1 is enough then I'll go with that..more opinions please....



I understand that straight blade shaving is an art, but I'm going to need some practicality. I just want to know how particle it is to shave...with the blade..

Oh one more thing, how much better is a straight blade shave compared to the multi blade shavers out there, in terms of comfort and closeness? I know this is a straight blade site, but please try to be as unbiased as possible. hahah

Okay, another recommendation I will make is tracking down the PDF titled "the art of the straight razor shave" By Christopher Moss (is this available somewhere on the site?) and Also getting Lynn's DVD (it is set as a sticky in the BST forum). As far as practicality is concerned, you can eventually get pretty good with a str8 and shave fairly quick, however; most folks do this so that they can enjoy the ritual. Your first few shaves will take longer and be a little worse than you are used to but it will improve. Stropping seems to be the biggest hurdle for folks starting out. I haven't had a problem but I am very meticulous and anal about keeping the strop tight and going nice and easy so that my technique is good. In the end, if you can do three passes with the blade (with the grain, across the grain, and against the grain) your shave will be closer than ever before. I do the WTG and XTG passes and I am usually much closer than the old mach 3 ever got. You may look into Double Edge shaving as an interim step if straight shaving takes to long. You can get really good results with a DE razor and it was easier for me to learn than straight shaving. Hope this helps. Keep in mind: everyone is different. Good Luck!