Thread: Another newbie nervious as heck!

This is one of the reasons why I am learning to usea straight razor, I can customize the blade to meet my needs rather than having to customize my face to meet the needs of the razor blade. Seems kind of funny when you think about it, "I need to reconfigure my beard its not quite the best thing for my razor blade."

Originally Posted by Joe Beardsley

Sorry to jump into the middle of this discussion, however, I have found that the bolded statement is very true. Lighter blades tend to flex, whereas, a heavier blade will not flex, but will cut instead of catching, flexing, and pulling the hair. All beards are different - density, hair type - coarse or fine, and how well the beard has been prepped for the shave.
I am sure that most of what I have mentioned has been discussed many times over on this incredible forum. However, I would like to mention two things before I shut-up, 1. don't let your beard cool down 2. don't let it dry out

Good advice always bears repetition well Joe.

Originally Posted by jmueller8

Otto; that's a good idea. I'm still finding the right place but I'm actually using my belt: looped through the strop's loop thing and wrapped around the faucet of the bathroom. Ingenuity or idiocy: you decide!

Door handle sounds a bit safer than the faucet.
If you slip off the strop how close is the nearest hard object ?

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Door handle sounds a bit safer than the faucet.
If you slip off the strop how close is the nearest hard object ?

The strop meets the belt a good 3 inches from the counter and the blade comes about 6 inches to the counter. It offered a good way to move it around!

Just making sure your stubble is the only blade killa you have to deal with

Well; I finally watched Lynn Abrams’ DVD and I feel much more educated. Had I watched it first; life would have been a little easier and a bit less expensive. That’s just not who I am though!

I went ahead and got a Norton Waterstone 4000/8000 combo and a second straight blade set: wider blade and pre-honed, new strop to use when I get the hang of the old one (because it looks like the dog got it….. yeah… that’s what happened), and the rest of the set (because they are just so damn cool.)

My financial advisor gave me the approval on the condition that it shuts me up; so I “literally” can’t complain! Actually she watched the vid with me (how friggen cool is that) and we worked out the solution together!

I’m going to watch the vid a few more times and when my stone comes in; I’ll give it a go! The 3X3-1X3-1X5 should be just enough to straighten out the damage and I’ll get one of those Coticules later.

It is, also, worth mentioning Vintage Blades https://www.vintagebladesllc.com as well. Not only did they provide outstanding customer support but they processed, assembled, and shipped everything out in less than an hour! Were I in a diaper; I would have….. well, needed it changed! Now that’s customer service!

Lots of guys strop in between sides for optimal performance.

Originally Posted by jmueller8

My financial advisor gave me the approval on the condition that it shuts me up; so I “literally” can’t complain! Actually she watched the vid with me (how friggen cool is that) and we worked out the solution together!

Iceee cool. You lucky dawg.

Sounds like you're on track. Remember we're always here to (confuse) , I mean help !!

LOL! Well one minor thing I had not been able to figure out (until now) is how the heck you all build your foam up so well! I was working at it so hard one day my wife had to ask if there would be anything left for her afterwards... thinking I was perhaps..... working on… my… stamina! All said and done; I was drenched in sweat with foam all over the bathroom whining because I just couldn’t get it to firm up… and now I know where my wife got that idea from!

Turns out you put the soap into the mug! That was another piece of information I could have used; however, what’s done is done and whenever my wife hears me building the foam she gets a little grin! Not a bad consequence I’d have to say!

I am a newbie as well, but luckily I watched Lynn's DVD and also emailed back and forth with him several times before even diving in with a cutthroat. That said, I am VERY GLAD that I did my research! Lynn was an invaluable resource--I am very appreciative of his time and concern, as well as everyone's thoughtful posts on this wonderful forum!

I have now shaved my whole face about twelve times or so with the cutthroat, and have yet to nick myself. Maybe it's just luck, or maybe I am past due for a little cut! LOL.

Anyway, I enjoyed all of the feedback on your thread, and also you sharing with us your learning experiences. You will likely help future newbies more than you will ever know! Have a great weekend everyone!

PS As far as products go, Tabac soap, Mitchell's Wool Fat soap, Prorasol shave balm, and Truefitt and Hill's Pre-Shave Oil are all amazingly wonderful!!! Considering you have a thick, coarse beard the T and H Pre-Shave Oil should be an ideal purchase...