Thread: Newbie with straight razors and eager to learn

Hello Lyn n guys,
I have watched your clips etc on youtube today for hours, then hunted out the 2 old Straight Razors i have stashed away, one bleck & 1 white handled from a company called C.J. Chrise Johnson & Co on both Sheffield ENGLAND. I don't have a clue on age. my aim in a moment is to climb up in the attic and locate my Grandfathers Straight which was passed on to my father then me.
All very daunting on what blade to buy,strop etc. so i will see what condition these 3 are in and take it from there
i still have to buy the creams brush etc so i will read and read on here til i am happy.

many thanks for reading.
take care,
Brian

Welcome! You've come to the right place. When you find the razors, be sure to have them honed by someone who knows how to sharpen straight razors. Do not simply take them to the local cutler. Enjoy.

Jordan

I also can HIGHLY recommend getting a proper strop: Tony Miller's strops. (Coming Soon...)

His PRACTICE strop (low-grade in his opinion) is the only one I've been using, as I'm setting up to use his proper strop, and it's unbelievable.

Send the razor to Lynn, he's the best at honing (I've not used him yet, but it's what I hear).

Other than that, Welcome! PM with any questions / recommendations for soaps / creams / etc...

Many thanks guys for you quick kind words.
I JUST TOOK THE BULL BY THE HORNS!!!
i got a cheap razor which uses 1/2 of a double edge razor....hot towel process....pre shave oil...then cream with my new badger brush.I started very slowly and practiced on the parts i imagine were easier.All i had left was my tash and my chin so as you can imagine i was exited by this time with no sign of the dreaded RED stuff..BOY!!! i found this chin area very hard.
I battled on and eventually i was left with 3 white pieces of tissue on my chin...a glowing face and a big lesson on what i will do the next time..
I think 4 days worth of a stubborn grey beard isn't a good idea for a beginner!!!
Oh well i have at least started my experience in the Art of the straight blade razor.

I know the amount of information can seem almost overwhelming and daunting. Take a step back and collect your thoughts. I highly recommend ontaining a copy of Lynn's CD. It's over 3 hours long and is chocked with lots of great information for the person new to straight razor shaving. Next, are you planning to resurrect one of your grandfather's razors, or purchase one. If you are going to purchase one check out the classified. You will find many razor that a very good razors at reasonable prices. You can also check with Kenrup (a member here) who sells starter sets.

At a minimum you will need the following:

1. Shave ready razor
2. Strop (hanging is the best, a paddle will work)
3. Shave soap/cream (personal choice, lots of sources)
4. Brush (from under $10 to obscene prices)
5. Barber's hone (can wait a few months for that)

Don't be afraid to ask questions...

Welcome to the straightpath Brian and congratulations on your first straight shave.

I started out with a shavette and found that shaving with half a DE blade it pretty unforgiving.. every error in blade angle,beardprep,pressure you name it ,will result in a nick. The chin is very difficult to shave at first with a straight.

Just hang in there and dont forget to have fun and you'll be alright.

Oh and send your "real" straight to somebody that knows how to hone them.. I send my razors to Bart if I'm not able to hone them myself (I;m not that good at honing yet)

Maarten

Sheffield made razors are traditionally very good bits of steel. Get them honed by one of our honemeisters and learn what 'sharp' really means.

X

WUW WUWWWWWWW!!!! not 1 sarky reply on my litle mishap on the chin....suppose you guys are really friendly or know how it is to start off.
thanks for the nice words and advice i am going to contact scale of charges here in the UK and get my Grandfathers Blade done proper.
This razorette thing really did knock the stuffin out of me for a little while....but i got thinking that was my 1st shot at the whole face so not bad.
i will get Lyn's CD and learn n learn. Practice makes perfect.

"Practice makes perfect."

I hate this phrase like you wouldn't believe. Perfect practice makes perfect. Practice makes permanent. If you keep practicing a bad strop technique, you're always going to have a bad strop technique and the shaves you get will reflect that. Always focus on improving your technique, and you will slowly improve.
J.

Originally Posted by manxnorton

not 1 sarky reply on my litle mishap on the chin....suppose you guys are really friendly or know how it is to start off.
.

Exactly..... we've all been there and paid for our skills with our own blood, just some more than others . Congrats on the progress you've made. Once you try a real straight you probably won't look at that shavette again.