First reactions, first strop.

[TheDoctor]

Now, as a first strop I'd really, really like to invest in a Tony Miller 2 1/2 inch Artisan Red Latigo with handles and genuine linen, but it's also very expensive. After buying a few cakes of Williams Mug, a Tweezerman badger hair brush, and a shave-ready straight off of BST, I've run one or two test shaves and... wow. Steep, steep learning curve.

All I've got to say is...

it hurts. ;_;.

It's gotta be my technique, because something about this is just wrong. It hurts, and the shave isn't close at all. So, while I'm still up in the air about whether it's worth continuing this adventure, I'm trying to keep at it for at least a couple months. But, if it's only going to last a couple months, that fancy strop just doesn't seem worth it. So, I looked around for cheaper alternatives to get me through.

What do you fine gents think of these:

http://www.pointshop.com/Mall/Catalo...000027931.html

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0010EN6X8?...0&linkCode=asn

Now, if only I could get someone out here in the Baltimore MD area to give a noob an in-person tutorial!

[skiblur]

Hang in there man, it's worth it.

My guess is you're likely cutting too much skin off (i.e. pressing too hard). The best advice I have heard is to try to take off the hairs by coming ever-so-close but not actually touching your skin - the gentlest touch possible. It sounds easy, but after hammering my face with a cartridge razor all my life, it's incredibly easy to forget about keeping a super light touch.

Also, just do one pass per shave for the first week or two until your face gets used to the blade.

That Jemico looks very similar to a Dovo that has gotten good reviews. At that price, however, you can get a TM synthetic strop. TM starter strops are even less, and I would definitely think the TM starter would be recommended over the "Horsehide" one you have listed.

[skiblur]

Hey by the way, look up mantic59 on youtube for some exceptional video shaving tutorials. I know they helped me a ton since I'm a very visual learner. Do kind of like Einstein and do a "thought-experiment"... that is, visualize yourself shaving with all the variables included, like angle of the blade, thickness of the lather, etc., and see what your brain naturally tells you (will it work? will it catch your skin?). This will also allow you to identify problems beforehand, like if you hadn't thought about how you were going to hold your razor the best way or something. Just an idea

[TheDoctor]

Awesome, I'll check it out!

And the vegan strops are looking mighty nice. But, have you ever heard anything about the products from the Illinois Razor Strop Company?

[crichton]

From what I've heard the Illinois strops are supposed to be pretty decent - but I've never used one myself.

[Tony Miller]

Doctor,

Did you know that we are nearly neighbors ? <g>

Send me an e-mail or give me a call after Easter and I can give you some pointers. Things have settled down a bit here and I'd be glad to help now.

Tony

[TheDoctor]

Yes! I actually just sent you an email from your site, asking if you had a storefront. What I as -really- getting at was if I could stop by, and you could advise me as to the quality of my razor and some hands-on advice while I bought a strop.
Have a great Easter though, I won't bug you until after the holiday. I'll be up to my ears in cooking activities until monday anyhow.


(Once you go to culinary school, the family expects you to cook -everything- for -every- holiday. -.-)

[Tony Miller]

Ian,
Yes, I remember the e-mail now. Give me a call after Easter.

Tony