Thread: So I just got my razor

Originally Posted by nitram

I've also never used a soap and brush before. I'm just wondering if I just drop the soap in the mug that I got and rinse the brush under water and rub the surface of the soap with it?

What kind of soap did you get? Some of them are fine out of the box, but some of them perform better if you put a little water on top and let it get absorbed for a while.

My recommendation: fill your mug with the hottest tap water you can and set your brush in it. Then run a little water over the top of your soap (presumably the soap is in a mug, cup, dish, or other container). You can either let that sit for a few minutes, or, more commonly, take a shower while the brush and soap absorb the water.

When you are ready, take your brush out of the mug and give it a few hard shakes to remove excess water. Dump the water off the top of the soap, and swirl your brush on the top of your soap to load it with soap. Don't skimp on this step...swirl your brush until the tops of your bristles are really good and loaded with soap.

Then, add a little water back to your brush, and lather on your face. Keep rubbing the brush in circles on your face as the lather builds...merely getting your face white is not enough. You want to rub until a good lather appears.

Finally, let the lather sit for a minute or two to soften your beard (this is when I clean my ears with Q-tips, lol), and go to work!

Hope that helps,
Dave

Originally Posted by DaveF

...
Finally, let the lather sit for a minute or two to soften your beard (this is when I clean my ears with Q-tips, lol), and go to work!

Hope that helps,
Dave

Q-tips...hmmm Maybe I'll start using them to clear the lather out of my nostrils!

Jordan

I believe most of our honemeisters strop, shave test, and re-strop after they hone the razors. It's always a good thing to check on, but in this case you do not need to strop your razor. Well, perhaps a couple times through just to make sure the edge is clean, but otherwise it's ready to go.

As the others have said, the oil is normal. Just wipe it off, then run hot water over the blade and dry.

I wouldn't even worry about the hair test right now. Get your lather built up and shave-test that puppy. Watch your angle and pressure, and see how you do. Also, most suggest that you only shave your cheeks (maybe neck) the first time around. Just a little easier to work on your technique and not worry about nicking your chin and upper lip.

If this is your first shave, I wouldn't expect perfection. As someone stated in another thread, just because you have a nice blade honed by the master doesn't mean you're going to get BBS. Too many other factors influence a great shave.

ANYWAY! Have fun, enjoy yourself, and keep us updated.

Good luck!

Originally Posted by jnich67

Q-tips...hmmm Maybe I'll start using them to clear the lather out of my nostrils!

Jordan

LOL, hadn't thought of that...one of the advantages of a goatee, I guess.