NOOB

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Originally Posted by Kentington

I currently am using a Gillette Mach 3 Power. The blade cartridges are expensive and they leave so much irritation that I can only shave once a week. By the end of the week I have quite a bit of growth and it uses up one cartridge, even trimming with an electric razor first. The little fade strip to tell you when you need to change the razor is gone after one shave and I don't press that hard.

My face hurts so much and itches all the time, that if I don't get it for my birthday I will probably fork out the money myself.

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Welcome to SRP Kentington. You've already received some great advice from fellow members, so I won't repeat was has already been said. But judging from your quote above there might be some technique issues that are making your shaves miserable. First, as straight shaving is an acquired skill, don't throw out the Mock 3 quite yet, as you will still need it for touch-ups while you're learning. If you are getting so much irritation that you can't shave for a week (don't worry, I've been there too) you might have a sensitive skin problem as well. Throw out that vibrating razor and stick with either a regular Mock 3 or a 2 bladed cartridge. A badger brush and a good soap/cream will do you good as it reduces hand contact on your face pre-shave (and lathers better than your hands ever will). Have you tried mapping your face? In other words, figured out which direction the whiskers grow across your entire face? If so stick a with-the-grain pass in all areas and only touch up certain spots x-grain or ATG if you are bold. These are techniques that will help to break bad habits BEFORE you start to shave with a straight, and before you know it you can perform multi-pass BBS shaves with a straight razor of your choice. I hope this helps.

Ryan

Sounds like you are in serious need of a good shave. I don't know when your birthday is, but you might want to look through the classifieds and let your loved ones buy you a nice brush and soaps instead. Your call.

X

Thanks for the advice. I am looking at Anne Lee's Soap, right now. I saw a video with someone making a lather from a tube cream, is this better than soap? If so are there any recommended brands?
I may invest in the brush myself, I don't think they would understand the purpose of an expensive brush. I'm the only one of my family in this area with enough facial hair to worry about.
Will I need a stone as well? Would the pastes in the Classifieds be enough if I purchased a shave ready blade?
I plan on keeping my M3, but the brush and soap will be needed soon if I want to practice mapping my face. You were saying that I should go with the grain, but I don't get a close shave at all with the grain and it ends up looking splotchy. Any advice on the would be great. If you need me to post a picture of my face for advice just let me know.

Just adding to the good info everyone has given you already... check out ruprazor.com you will find some good low cost shave ready straights there. I don't think you need a hone or pastes yet... just get a strop, a razor, a brush and some soap (or creams... try this) and learn if you like the straight lifestyle. Take your time and check out the srp wiki for technique and buying suggestions. A shave ready razor and a strop (using good technique) will keep you shaving for a while. You can get a stone later when you have the feel for stropping and are ready to take on honing.

Good luck:gl:

You are right Del1r1um, this is good info and thanks for adding. I checked out The Gentlemen's Quarters, what scents of the cream have you tried and did the scent last afterwards?

Thanks for the advice everyone. I took the advice. I went to TGQ and purchased a Super Badger Brush and a Sampler of soaps and creams. 15.95 for 5 samples of soaps and 2 samples of cream, and for some reason it only charged me 13.95. Maybe I will call and let them know. I will try those with my regular razor just to get my faze and neck in good shape.

ah, yeah, i really like colleen's soaps, i'm not much of a cream person. i thought the sampler is a great way to try several.

as far as razor goes, ask SRD if they can stock the one you like, but my understanding is that there is considerable lead time with dovo. the other main vendors are clasicshaving and vintageblades - may be one of them would have it.

gugi: That's funny you mention SRD. I already had my eyes on some of the blades and Don directed me towards the Black Star. Nobody else buy it! At first I look at the Ebony or Silver Steel, Don suggested the Tortoise. I didn't really like the look of the scales and asked about the Black Star. Bingo. I'll ask my parents and send a link.

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Originally Posted by Kentington

I plan on keeping my M3, but the brush and soap will be needed soon if I want to practice mapping my face. You were saying that I should go with the grain, but I don't get a close shave at all with the grain and it ends up looking splotchy. Any advice on the would be great. If you need me to post a picture of my face for advice just let me know.

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Try doing some skin stretching (just like when straight shaving) and see if that helps. As I still resort to the M3 from time to time I find that it does help, and with little irritation, but that's just my skin.