Thread: Howdy From Maine

Realistic expectations

You'll do just fine

Welcome aboard!!!

Originally Posted by CRUM

And is aftershave really an important finish for a shave?

Since you haven't shaved lately, you probably want to use an after shave lotion....your skin is bound to be nice and sensitive after so many years of whisker protection. I have used the Afta after shave skin conditioner lotion by Mennen for years with cartridge razors and it did wonders for avoiding razor burn. Not only is it cheap, but easy to find locally (atleast around here)

Originally Posted by jnich67

................Being in Maine, I'd be surprised if you didn't have some local soap makers there too.

Enjoy

Jordan

Well thanks for the heads up about finding a soapmaker in Maine. Seems in our rural town here in Acton, there is "Farnham Ridge" soapmakers not 5 miles from me. They make goat milk based soap from their own goats. I am going to stop by when I get a chance.

Cool, please post a review if you find some good stuff!

It seems that crafts are very big in NE.

Jordan

Just a reminder...

DON'T staricht shave in the shower! Shaving in the shower is a great way to keep your beard/whiskers hydrated, but if you ever happened to drop your naked blade on your naked self.....

Originally Posted by Seraphim

Just a reminder...

DON'T staricht shave in the shower! Shaving in the shower is a great way to keep your beard/whiskers hydrated, but if you ever happened to drop your naked blade on your naked self.....

Yeah, that is good advice. Since I now have my first shave ready razor(an older henckels), once I get a strop, I should be ready to go. I have been thinking of where this first shave should take place. The shower was an obvious choice if I could figure out how to hang a mirror in there. Figured blood would be no mess, just wash it down the drain. I had not thought of potential blood loss from me being clumsy. Shower is out. Maybe the garage sink. I mess with the mrs.'s arrangement at the main bath sink and I am toast. So I will find my own place to set up my shaving apace..

CRUM, there should not be much or any blood if you keep it cool. The issue here is to proceed with extreme caution and not try to do too much at once. Start with a single pass with the grain and shaving only the easy parts of your cheeks. Because they are mostly flat, they would provide a nice surface to test angles, etc.. As you gain confidence, extend your shaving routine to other areas and try passes against the grain, etc. There is nothing wrong to use your old safety razor to shave the harder parts while you develop technique. Remember, the most important part of shaving is probably skin and beard preparation. Please, do yourself a faver do not skimp time and effort here... Take your time to build a nice lather. Start with little water as it is easier to add than to remove it ;-). By the way Maine is a beautiful state and the fishing is great ;-).

Al raz.

Welcome!

Good luck on your straight razor journey... It's very rewarding. If it weren't, there wouldn't be so many of us here. I hope you find using a straight as peaceful and as much of a Zen-like, calming experience as I (and many others) do.

Please post pics of the step by step of your foray into shaving and your subsequent beard removal.

+1 on the pics please.