Thread: Well, I'm alive...

Sorry for all the new posts, but since each happens to be on a somewhat different topic I thought that was the way to go. Anyway I finally gave the straight razor shave a try tonight, is there supposed to be this much bloodshed? Actually it wasn't all that bad, I got several good nicks and learned a ton. First off I watch a bunch of Youtube videos of people shaving with straights. This didn't really help a great deal, I kind of figured out how best to hold it as I went along. I read the Wikapedia article on straights and found that my particuler razor is a spike razor and not really recommended for a newbie, after shaving with it I now know why, I would say that 100% of my cuts where caused by that nasty little point. I actually shaved about 75% of my face until I let the blade down wrong to start a cut and left a nasty long cut on the side of my neck, then I decided to finish off with a electric razor. Something I learned was that my razor wasn't nearly sharp enough, and that likely caused me problems, I could feel it grabbing slightly sometimes. Also I think the cheap soap I bought isn't good (however the cheap brush I bought rocks). The soap seems to lather up really thinly, I think it needs to be alot thicker so that the blade has some lubrication, most of the time it felt like I was dry shaving. Also is it true that you shouldn't let your razor get wet with water? I just wiped the lather/blood/hair off on a clean cloth and when I was done I wiped the razor good and coated it in mineral oil. I got a lot of nicks around my chin and my ears, that was my two trouble spots. Interestly under my nose seemed really easy. So that is how it went, I must say that I will for sure keep trying this, it's p$ssed me off so much that I got all the nicks that I'm determined to master this now. Makes you appreciate how difficult it would have been for a teenager around 1900 just learning to shave. Also I was pretty nervous with this being my first try, so my hands weren't what I would call steady either. Any tips that you guys could give me would be awesome and hopefully help me out here. Thanks..

Well.. A teenager back in the day would have the benefit of hands on training from his father or grandfather. All we have now is eachother.

You'll be amazed how much you will have learned from that first experience. I can pretty much guarantee that the next one will be a lot better.

Don't be disheartened, and keep it up. You will get there in th end!

First try is always the worst. There will be blood, as you have learnt. You'll start to "learn" your face & beard & accuracy & time taken will improve. If you haven't already, get yourself a razor which has been honed by an expert. The difference is amazing & you'll not nick yourself as much.

Welcome to the coolest club Anywhere!!!

Well my razor was honed by Gugi, I bought it off him, but he said it needed stropping. I did strop it but maybe my technique is not so good. After sleeping the night I washed my face this morning and you can hardly notice all my nicks. You guys are sure right about a close shave though. Where I shaved with the straight is still smooth this morning, but where I shaved with the electric razor is getting rough already.

Originally Posted by FLYBYU44

Also I think the cheap soap I bought isn't good (however the cheap brush I bought rocks). The soap seems to lather up really thinly, I think it needs to be alot thicker so that the blade has some lubrication, most of the time it felt like I was dry shaving.

If you have a normal to tough beard you will find you haven't been doing enough prep-work before you shave.

Find ways to soften your beard, spend the extra time and you will find it much easier to shave nick/cut free.

Shower before shaving using either Noxzema or Proraso, Shave cream/soap soaking into your beard for at least 15 minutes. The hot towel treatment in place of or in addition to the shower is good too.

PREP!!!!!

Not a whole lot to add to previous posts, but you did mention a thin lather, could be a little of the brush and a little of the soap, more than likely too much water in the brush. Play with lathering, using a little less water and see what happens. Im not there with you and dont know for sure, but from your post it seemed like a possibility.Good luck, I think youve already made great strides with your first shave and the next will be far better!

Ah, good to hear you tried it
I (partially) shaved with the razor just before it went out and I'm sure it was plenty sharp, but I will certainly be happy to take a look at it again. However do give it a few more shaves and see how it goes.
The spike on this one was indeed almost perfect and you need to be mindful of it. I've never had any problems with the spikes (including this one) and I started with a spike, but I suspect different people are different. I really like the precision of the pointy points - if I need to take off a single hair somewhere I can just go and do it.

Other than that I'm a bit worried about getting such a close shave on your first shave - I'm thinking you may have been putting too much pressure. Krusius bros though are great razors, so may be I'm wrong. I certainly got great shaves out of it, but I like to think that the experience counts for something

In any case, if you are not happy with the razor, I'll certainly take it back for a full refund and I'll cover your shipping costs too

Originally Posted by gugi

Ah, good to hear you tried it
I (partially) shaved with the razor just before it went out and I'm sure it was plenty sharp, but I will certainly be happy to take a look at it again. However do give it a few more shaves and see how it goes.
The spike on this one was indeed almost perfect and you need to be mindful of it. I've never had any problems with the spikes (including this one) and I started with a spike, but I suspect different people are different. I really like the precision of the pointy points - if I need to take off a single hair somewhere I can just go and do it.

Other than that I'm a bit worried about getting such a close shave on your first shave - I'm thinking you may have been putting too much pressure. Krusius bros though are great razors, so may be I'm wrong. I certainly got great shaves out of it, but I like to think that the experience counts for something

In any case, if you are not happy with the razor, I'll certainly take it back for a full refund and I'll cover your shipping costs too

Actually I'm delighted with the razor, it is in spectacular condition that must speak of the dedication and thoughtfullness of it's former owner. I will try to keep it in the condition I received it. I actually don't think the razor is dull now, I've been reading posts on here and I think my prep work was lacking a lot. That is something that I will work on. I did a test after stropping the razor with a hair off my wife's brush, I held it up and it sheared right throught it several times. As for the point, I think it is something I will grow to like, I did notice that it makes the area under the nose and side burns way easier to trim then they might be with another razor. I have a quick question for you though, I was curious as to how old that razor is. I tryed to Google it but didn't come up with anything, thought you might know. Anyway it is in beautiful shape, whatever the age. Oh, and don't think you can get it back with your full refund offers, you sold it so it's mine now.

Hmm, not sure how old it is - Krusius Brothers is a major cutler and I think they may even still be in business. I'd imagine that they must've stopped making razors around the same time as boker did and Dovo remained pretty much the only one.
And yes, the razor is in excellent condition and it's always a pleasure to find such razor - it's not hard to keep it that way, just dry it off after shaving.

Also 6/8 being my preferred size I do have the 6/8 version of it - I am experimenting with decreasing head count, but that doesn't mean all my great razors will go