Thread: Mom buying son gift needs help

I just thought I'd toss my two cents in. I'm not sure how much research your son has done on his own, but you might also want to link him to this forum if he hasn't found it already. A huge part of what you're going to think about how well a straight razor is going to work lies in how well informed you were. I know when I first started, before finding this site everything I read made it sound like it was easy peasy with no real learning curve at all.

It's really important that you know how to strop a razor to get decent performance out of it.

Also, this may just be my own personal experience and those of my friends who took it up, but the first couple shaves seem to leave your face feeling like old, dry leather, or in some cases, old dry leather that happens to be on fire. :P

At least be sure to let him know not to get discouraged if he has some trouble at first, I think most of us did. It took me until about shave five to actually get a fairly close, comfortable shave. Also, let him know that while he has to respect just how damn sharp the blade will be, don't panic. In my experience a razor doesn't really want to cut you. He'll likely get a few little gashes, but they'll stop bleeding with some cold water or at worst a styptic pencil (which hurts worse than the cut, usually. :P) and heals up awfully quick. Just take your time, be careful and you'll be fine.

Oh, and one last piece of advice. If it takes him a really long time to shave, tell him to rinse off the soap and put on fresh, moist soap. If the soap starts to dry on you, it feels like the razor is pulling like crazy.


P.S. Best mother ever.

Some great info here, thanks very much for all of your input. I most certainly will direct him to this site. From what I have read I'm expecting him to initially have some learning curves along with small cuts and gashes. If there is any major cuts I'll just have to patch him up I'm a Nurse.

Originally Posted by Eights88

Some great info here, thanks very much for all of your input. I most certainly will direct him to this site. From what I have read I'm expecting him to initially have some learning curves along with small cuts and gashes. If there is any major cuts I'll just have to patch him up I'm a Nurse.

styptic and alum for the small stuff... superglue for the big ones! ...but hey, i'm not a doctor!

Hey, this is the son here.
It came a little late in the mail, due to the snow, but it was well worth it.
Hands down, best damn gift ever.
Thanks for helping my mom out you guys, she spoke very highly of this place so I registered.
I want to get started on my first shave with it right away, but I've got some learning to do first.

You have a great mum Col. What did she go with in the end?

Originally Posted by sidneykidney

You have a great mum Col. What did she go with in the end?

Yeah, she really is awesome.

She gave me a Heirloom Latigo strop, and a brush from Fendrihan.
The razor is a Dovo, with a zebra pattern on the blade and handle. It's beautiful.
Then a few kinds of soaps as well.