Thread: Newbie questions

1. If the razor looks good to you, go for it. 5/8 is a good size to start with, and for many, a size to stick with. As long as the razor is adequately honed by someone who knows what they are doing, the razor will be fine for you to use for learning how to shave. If it turns out you don't like it, you will be able to re-coup most of your expenses by selling it through this forum.

2. Yes, if you get the razor honed by "Mr. Abrams," you should have a good shaving experience. I believe that when Lynn sends out his razors, he notes that you do not need to strop it the first time you use it. For a beginner, the advantage of this is that your brand new professionally honed razor could be easily trashed by your non-professional first attempt at stropping. Thus you want to experience how the razor performs straight out of Lynn's hands and then compare it subsequently to how it performs after you have stropped it. In direct answer to your question, I would say yes you should have a strop right away because you will need it for your second shave after your cuts heal.

3. Definitely every time right before you shave. Some also strop right after shaving but personally I think thats a waste of time. Others will disagree. Some strop to dry the blade. Some say stropping after shaving will prevent the edge from having a chance to recover--supposedly it takes ~48 hours for the edge to re-align. (That might be one of the excuses some of us use for having more than one razor!)

4. Use them. That will determine if they are usable. If don't like them, buy a new brush when your finances allow.

5. Never used it but it can't hurt to try it. I'm a huge fan of Tabac for quality lather but if you check this forum you can find lots of opinions, reviews, and recommendations for your consideration.

If you look around in this forum you should be able to learn everything you need to know. If you can't find the answer, just ask.


Welcome aboard and congrats on potentially dumping the disposable razor!