Thread: Do You agree with new advice for newbie?

I saw a "demonstration" at The Art of Shaving" store- ok- so I'm game and here I am- found this group through YouTube. I did NOT yet buy a razor from The Art of Shaving- too expensive, and I need to learn some skills first...

ok- so I find this barber near my home- advertises that he's a Master Barber and can show me how to shave. Gave me a quick lesson. He told me to buy a straight razor- the disposable kind- the one you can change blades. Showed me how to shave on a Kiwi first- told me to practice on the Kiwi at home, then on a balloon, and then on my face. (I ordered a cheap disposable staright razor off ebay- should be here any day) Says when I get good, I should then buy a more expensive razor from the art of shaving (or elsewhere). The barber said he would show me how to hone it, strop it, etc...

How does this advice sound?

Originally Posted by gary70

I saw a "demonstration" at The Art of Shaving" store- ok- so I'm game and here I am- found this group through YouTube. I did NOT yet buy a razor from The Art of Shaving- too expensive, and I need to learn some skills first...

ok- so I find this barber near my home- advertises that he's a Master Barber and can show me how to shave. Gave me a quick lesson. He told me to buy a straight razor- the disposable kind- the one you can change blades. Showed me how to shave on a Kiwi first- told me to practice on the Kiwi at home, then on a balloon, and then on my face. (I ordered a cheap disposable staright razor off ebay- should be here any day) Says when I get good, I should then buy a more expensive razor from the art of shaving (or elsewhere). The barber said he would show me how to hone it, strop it, etc...

How does this advice sound?

Sounds like you have a very helpful barber. I've never tried shaving a kiwi or a balloon before. Started on my own whiskers. Not sure if that's good advise or not. What type of disposable did you get?

Well, that may be a little excessive...

To be honest with you shaving with a straight is pretty easy. You'll be a little nervous the first time, maybe get a little shakey at some points. Probably give yourself a couple nicks the first couple times. All in all, though, if you shave every day within a week you'll likely be able to get a pretty close shave pretty comfortably. After that, it just keeps getting better.

I don't see any harm in following that advice (some more experienced members would know more about switching from shavettes to straights, however) but if you want to grab something cheap, try hitting the BST and posting asking for an inexpensive, honed, starter razor, buy a strop and rock and roll.

Honestly, it's really not that tough to pick it up. You'll likely have a couple rough shaves, but soon enough ...

At the same time, if you don't follow his advice, you may tick off the barber...

Its a little bit different between the disposable and the straight, I would go to the straight first, less expense and you dont have to learn twice. talk it over with the barber, as was said before you dont want to tick him off. If worse comes to worse you can learn everything here. God bless and good luck.

Shaving a Kiwi.
Image:Apteryx owenii 0.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

That really makes my day.

Having a mentor to teach you straight razor shaving, is the greatest thing. I would follow his advice. Period. You're a lucky man.

There are many ways leading to straight shaving nirvana, and every tutor would probably follow a different approach. That barber is your friend. Humor him. I bet he won't let you down.

Good Luck,

Bart.

Originally Posted by Bart

Shaving a Kiwi.
Image:Apteryx owenii 0.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

That really makes my day.

The best part would be how to hold it still to prevent cutting it... my... if the WWF knew that, you could be prosecuted

I've heard the balloon story before but never the kiwi one... maybe he was speaking about New Zealanders

But it is nice to have somebody nearby to teach you a few things live; I just bought my first straight and shaved. I couldn't practice on balloon, I would have be too scared to spend the day inflating them one after another.

Take him up on it. I'd love to have had the kind of training you have the opportunity to achieve.

Those disposable blades don't get honed, they get tossed. Most use standard cutthroats around here. The solid, honed type. Maybe he's planning to progress you onto them. His approach will be different than many of ours, I suspect and that is a good thing. If he's a firm believer in the disposable blades you may have to progress on your own. You can get some good starters from $30-$60 here, just keep your eyes peeled on the BST forum and if you see something you like in your price range ... ACT FAST!

X

I would be scared to shave a balloon with a shave-ready straight. I can just see it popping and me dropping the blade in the ensuing nervous chaos and losing who knows what (fertility, a big toe, a shave-ready edge...) Thinking of this makes me think of the first Mighty Ducks movie where Goldberg, the goalie, is practicing to be a barber and he shaves a balloon

I agree that you are lucky to have a mentor.

Good luck and welcome,
Adam

Interesting idea, but being a fairly successful new straight shaver myself, I say skip the balloon exercise for several reasons.

1. A balloon doesn't have WHISKERS---especially thick, wirey ones.
2. You won't feel the blade and how it's reacting to your face. The balloon won't tell you either!
3. You're probably not going to shave that balloon in the mirror, are you! You aren't going to learn all the contortions you need to do to shave certain areas of your face. Is your face perfectly smooth and round? On the other hand, your face doesn't pop if you nick it, flinging shaving cream everywhere!

Skip all the hooey and just do it. Just make sure you've done a little reading and watching of videos or others and you'll figure it out if you want to. It really is not rocket science or something to be terribly afraid to try. Just remember, EVERY guy used to shave like this--it can't be that hard. With regular practice, I'm convinced anyone who wants to can get a superior shave with a straight. Good Luck.

Originally Posted by AverageJoe

Just remember, EVERY guy used to shave like this--it can't be that hard. With regular practice, I'm convinced anyone who wants to can get a superior shave with a straight. Good Luck.

Averagejoe, I like your attitude! Very recognizable.

But that final statement is debatable. Many guys suffered while trying to shave, and needed to rely on a barber's services to get a smooth shave. Even in the heydays of the straight razor, shaving oneself was not considered easy, and how the bloody thing was sharpened was a complete mystery to many.

Bart.