Thread: Noob saying hello

Hi Everyone,

I've been kicking around for awhile trying to absorb as much as possible. Decided to get things going and introduce myself and ask a question (or two).

I've been DE shaving for a few months now and am interested in trying straight shaving. I was fortunate enough to win a PIF contest and received a "shave ready" Boker straight razor. I don't own a strop yet. Here's my first question (probably more to come ).
No offense intended to the generous gentlemen who PIF'd it to me but, the shaving edge isn't perfectly straight. However, I'm not sure that it makes any difference for shaving as long as it's sharp all along the edge. To explain what I mean by straight...if you took the shaving edge and stood it on a perfectly flat plane, there would be a section that doesn't touch the flat surface.
Is it okay to shave with?
I'm eager to start and know to take it slow.
If it is shave ready, do I still need to strop before trying it out?

Thanks in advance.

Bill

Since a picture is worth a thousand words:

Welcome ot SRP ! Straight razors frequently have smiling blades where the edge doesn't touch all the way across on a flat surface. A honing technique known as the rolling x is used to sharpen them.

I would recommend that you try shaving with the Boker before you worry about stropping it. An inexperienced practitioner can dull an edge if improperly stropped.

My first few weeks straight razor shaving I kept my DE loaded and ready to finish areas I couldn't get with the straight. Once my technicque improved I put the DE away and haven't gone back to it in 8 months.

Check out the help files accessed from the tool bar at the top of the page. Lots of good info.

Originally Posted by JimmyH-AD

Welcome ot SRP ! Straight razors frequently have smiling blades where the edge doesn't touch all the way across on a flat surface. A honing technique known as the rolling x is used to sharpen them.

I would recommend that you try shaving with the Boker before you worry about stropping it. An inexperienced practitioner can dull an edge if improperly stropped.

My first few weeks straight razor shaving I kept my DE loaded and ready to finish areas I couldn't get with the straight. Once my technicque improved I put the DE away and haven't gone back to it in 8 months.

Check out the help files accessed from the tool bar at the top of the page. Lots of good info.

Thanks Jimmy,

I have checked all the help files, great resource!
I'm going to give it a go on Saturday morning, but as advised I'll just start with the sideburn area WTG and finish the rest of the shave with my DE.

This may seem like a silly question, but...the razor came with oil on the blade. I'll wash off with some dishsoap. Should I soak in Isopropyl Alcohol for a few minutes prior to shaving?

Regards,
Bill

Just wipe off the oil, it won't hurt anything.

Originally Posted by bbsupersport

....

This may seem like a silly question, but...the razor came with oil on the blade. I'll wash off with some dishsoap. Should I soak in Isopropyl Alcohol for a few minutes prior to shaving?

Regards,
Bill

As the the oil removal simply rinsing it under hot running tap water should be fine... for sanitary reasons... a rinse with isopropyl will work great.

Also if you have stood this on edge on a flat plane.. you could have damaged the edge alredy... they really do not like that sort of abuse

Welcome to SRP!!!
Try shaving with it after you strop it about 60 times. It is the ultimate test of sharpness.
Be careful with your strop. Keep the tension on it. Only use the weight of the razor while stropping; do not press down at risk of rolling the edge on your blade.
Have fun,
Steve

Originally Posted by syslight

Also if you have stood this on edge on a flat plane.. you could have damaged the edge alredy... they really do not like that sort of abuse

Hi Jim,

I was just using that as an example to make sure I was clear in my description as I wasn't sure it would show in the picture. However, I appreciate the concern and the warning!

Originally Posted by netsurfr

Welcome to SRP!!!
Try shaving with it after you strop it about 60 times. It is the ultimate test of sharpness.
Be careful with your strop. Keep the tension on it. Only use the weight of the razor while stropping; do not press down at risk of rolling the edge on your blade.
Have fun,
Steve

Hi Steve,

I don't own a strop, the individual that gave me the razor told me it was "shave ready".
I may have to get one because my first attempt at shaving with a straight didn't feel right. I will explain in a new post.

Thanks.

Glad to hear you did not stand it on edge. As for a strop you need to use one right before every shave.

40 to 60 laps each time should work pretty well.

Originally Posted by bbsupersport

Hi Steve,

I don't own a strop, the individual that gave me the razor told me it was "shave ready".
I may have to get one because my first attempt at shaving with a straight didn't feel right. I will explain in a new post.

Thanks.

You really need to have a strop. "Shave-ready" is an interesting term. A razor can be in "shave-ready" condition but it always needs stropping before shaving. This provides the final alignment for the fine edge of the blade.