Thread: Advice for a Barber converting from injector to a 'real' straight razor ...

Welcome Joe!

I would suggest shaving yourself for a little bit as the variances in honing and stropping take some getting used to.

Personally, between barbicide and stropping a razor I think your well ahead of the curve, hygenically, with a straight. I wouldn't even give such concerns a second thought. I assume you don't use a brush.

Once you learn to hone and strop the only variance that comes to mind is that it'll be easier and that a traditional requires atleast a full extra minute of prep lather "set-in".

Due to your variety in customers I'd suggest a 6/8 blade as well.

You'll be much less likely to nick customers so don't let that get you complacent.

Don't forget that you'll need to always go against the grain under the bottom lip and you should always pull the skin off the adams apple. With a traditional straight its easier to forget that.

A scything motion is more important with a straight when your up against multiple customers.

I think the hardest transition is to know when the blade won't pull on the skin. After honing and stropping I take the blade and run it over my arm hair and ensure that the blade obliterates the hair on instant contact. Failing that, I know its not perfect. I would learn and embrace the thumb pad test. PM me if you need full details.

And of course go to the main page, look in the Permanent Archives under the library and read the 1961 Barbers manual.