Thread: First Shave Quit Lengthy (Sorry)!

Originally Posted by Black Beard

Thanks for the kind comments.

I totally respect the sharpness of the blade and just how easily it can be ruined. I wish I felt as confident holding the strop in my hand as I do the razor. Here was me thinking that was going to be the easy part, but I have already managed a couple of nicks in the practice strop . Glad I've put the Artisan away for when I have my technique down.

Just a quick question if I may...... Do you apply any oil to your blade each time after you have used it, or do you simply ensure it is properly dried?

I did the latter, but really want to take care of my blade.

+1 on everybody saying you did very well.

Stropping will come to you soon enough. You are right to be very cautious with it. Dulling a blade is easy with a strop.

I only oil a razor if I suspect I might not be using that one for a longer period of time. (I have 6 razors, that I don't really "rotate", I might shave a whole month with one, and then put it aside for another one - that's when I put a drop of oil on)

I'm still having as much fun as during that very first straight razor shave. Amazing.

Bart.

Thanks Bart.

Congratulations on your first straight shave - as the guys before me said, stropping will be something you'll get the hang of. I just takes some time to get the technique right. Best wishes for your next shaves!

For drying the razor, I wipe it down with a towel being careful not to get too close the the cutting edge - I then, very lightly "strop" the blade on a towel to remove the water near the edge. Once that is done, I strop the blade on my strop about 15 times just to ensure that the edge is very dry. I then put the razor on my dresser, outside of the bathroom, in an open 90 degree position to allow it to air dry for at least a couple of hours.

No rust yet with this routine!

Hope that helps,

Mark

Congrats BB! It sounds like you did really well your first time out. Careful with the stropping - maybe practice with a butter knife? Enjoy!


Jordan

congrats on your first shave with a razor honed by lynn what a great feeling