Thread: Intro and couple of questions

Hello all,

I recently received a shaving kit as a gift. I got a strop, some soap, a DOVO Best Quality razor, a mug, and a brush from Straight Razor Designs (and a funny children's kit, which is my son's new favorite thing). I've only had straight razor shaves at the local barber's, so I bombed around the net for a few days and finally gave it a try. Surprisingly, though I have an extremely course beard, I survived the experience with only a minor nick by the cheek bone and got a decent shave as well. But I do have a couple of newbie questions...

1. So I've got this black soap dish... do I need to transfer the soap into the mug? And if so, how? I thought maybe I could dig it out and heat it up, but before I made a mess I thought I should find a forum and ask.

2. Are there razors that are better suited for thicker beards?

3. Are there shaving soaps better suited for thicker beards?

4. I did get a little razor burn -- Should I get aftershave? Talc? What? Any suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Chris

welcome chris,

1) i don't know what dish it is, but keep the soap in the original container. take a look at the wiki entry on making lather - you'll get the idea.

2) i don't think so - if you want to experiment you may find you like cetain products better. lather does the same thing on any beard - the water enters into the hairs and causes them to swell and soften.

3) the alum block is nice for skin tightening and disinfection, but you may not like the sensation, and you may need something moisturizing after it as well. use any aftershave you like. take a look at the forum section for ideas and what works and doesn't work for others. the SOTD threads are another nice place to see what members use daily.

+1 to gugi's post.

If you're having issues with your beard not being soft enough, you might want to try the old hair conditioner trick - massage some plain old hair conditioner into your beard, leave it in there for a minute or so, then rinse out - it makes your beard slightly softer, which should reduce the razor burn, hopefully.

A bit of razor burn is probably going to happen at first as your skin gets used to the new razor, but you can reduce that with proper beard prep and stropping (can't emphasis these two enough!), and follow it up with a soothing aftershave balm, such as the Nivea shaving balm, or the Geo. F Trumper Skin Food.

Regarding a particular razor for heavier beards (not a problem for me, I have a very light beard), I recall reading here a half-hollow or wedge grind may be better for heavier beards than a full hollow, as it will distort less from flexing as it passes over your face, but I don't know how true that may be.

Welcome to the forums and to straights, and good luck with your future shaves.

Hi,
As mentioned, the stiffer grinds are often favoured by those with a heavier beard. They feel a little different to shave with & are very quiet when they plough through the stubble.
Witch hazel is very soothing if you're getting a bit of a rash. Vitamin E oil is also great & will ease any burning almost instantly, as well as being a fantastic moisturiser.
I like Alum too. It stings like the devil if you've been a little rough on your skin, but is a very good indicator on how to improve the shave. It'll highlight any nick, but i really recommend you pick some up. Get the stuff specifically for shaving, but the cheaper stuff is fine & it lasts an age. If you find it stings all over, ease off the pressure & just go for more passes. When you've shaved perfectly, there will be no sting at all, & i quite enjoy the sensation!

All advice given above is good and will help resolve your issues. All I can add is about the razor burn. A heavy hand, meaning pressure on the blade while you are shaving will cause razor burn. Be aware of the pressure you are using and use almost no pressure. Just keeping the blade in contact with you shin is moe than enough. Second, the angle may cause razor burn also. Twice the spine thickness from the skin is the correct angle. More than that may cause razor burn. With all that is going on while learning to straight shave this is hard to keep rack of and often the blade is not in full view. I had my wife watch me shave and let me know where the angle got too steep. After a few shaves with her watching I knew where to watch closer and developed a 'feel' for holding the angle in areas I couldn't see very well.

Two more tips:
1) Take a hot shower before shaving and use shampoo and conditioner on your beard to soften it up.

2) shave near the end of your day in stead if first thing in the morning, you will be less rushed and more alert.

Good luck and welcome to straight shaving!

<Witch hazel is very soothing if you're getting a bit of a rash.>

Here is the Sharing response just returned to the Dickinson's Witch Hazel website: I want to share more about Witch Hazel as my experiments in producing a whole extract from the bark & leaves of the Hamamelis virginiana shrub, native to North America, progress, Lord willing, but let's start here ...

http://www.dickinsonbrands.com/aboutdickinson.htm

A native of Connecticut, whose ancient motto is "Qui Transtulit Sustinet," (He Who Transplanted Still Sustains), I have used Dickinson's all my life, till 1980, when because of a new-found "face burning" sensation, the Dickinson's Chemist told be that the 14% Alcohol required to prevent spoilage had been denatured in response to government regulators. Now I am overjoyed to learn that Dickinson's has replaced that adulterated essential alcohol with the all natural product which contains no such adulterants! Finally, I can return to Dickinson's from the undependable generic products, even the natural store sold ones which have come & gone throughout the intervening quarter-century. I am thrilled that T. N. Dickinson's traditional strong Witch Hazel is available at better local stores here in Eugene, Oregon, such as Albertson's & Fred Meyers, and even Walmart. Nothing instantly "repairs" my face from the daily morning shaving experience like good Witch Hazel, which instantly halts razor burn and minimises bleeding from tiny cuts and which is so soothing and fresh smelling, and stops itching and helps to remedy all kinds of skin irritations & reactions, and even "takes care" of mosquito bites. GOD Bless you all!

I appreciate all of the responses. I'll definitely check out the alum and witch hazel -- I think we may have some in the bathroom already. And thanks for all the welcome messages - this is a great site - I can't wait to pick up a razor or two from the classifieds.

Chris

Originally Posted by chrishough

1. So I've got this black soap dish... do I need to transfer the soap into the mug? And if so, how? I thought maybe I could dig it out and heat it up, but before I made a mess I thought I should find a forum and ask.

If the soap is already in a container leave it there. Just load the brush then lather in the mug.

2. Are there razors that are better suited for thicker beards?

They say that thicker grinds 1/2 hollow or thicker, heavier blades. Although I have a light beard. I think that it is personal preference. As long as your razor has been professionally honed you should be fine with any grind. Your razor was professionally honed right??

3. Are there shaving soaps better suited for thicker beards?

No all soaps are not created equal though. I do not know what you have as far as soap but TGQ, Proraso/Bigelow are great places to start. A good brush is also integral to lifting that beard. A hot towel will help also if you do not shave directly out of the shower.

4. I did get a little razor burn -- Should I get aftershave? Talc? What? Any suggestions are appreciated.

Razor burm on your first forey is normal. People are so used to pressure that it takes to shave with a Mach80 that you have to unlearn that. I use alum, Crystal deodarent from the local hippie mart, and Shave talc from Pinaud. I stopped using alum in favor of the talc but for newbies I highly recommend Alum because it will tell you where you put to much pressure because that area will sting more. A/s is good to seal the skin, a balm would be better so as not to inflame the skin more. Failing that Thayers has an alcohol free product or two that may help.

Thanks in advance,
Chris

Lastly, please make sure that the razor was hone by a professional. That will help to suss out any burn problems.

Originally Posted by chrishough

Hello all,

I recently received a shaving kit as a gift. I got a strop, some soap, a DOVO Best Quality razor, a mug, and a brush from Straight Razor Designs

You did fine, This is a fantastic kit and they do come shave ready!!!!
Lynn and Don put these together with very good products so that all you have to concentrate on is the shaving aspect...

It does take a little time to get used to the razor, it just does....

Welcome aboard the straight train, great to have you here....

Originally Posted by chrishough

4. I did get a little razor burn -- Should I get aftershave? Talc? What? Any suggestions are appreciated.

I'll second the witch hazel suggestion for starting out because you can pick it up just about anywhere. I started using it because we already had a little bottle when I first got into straights. The alcohol-based ones (probably most generic brands) work as an astringent but you might need some moisturizer afterwards.

If you're gonna buy some witch hazel, go with Thayer's brand. I'll give a link to their store locator, but it's sold at GNC and "Old Country Store" in Hot Springs, AR. Thayer's doesn't use alcohol and already has moisturizers -- there are also various scents if you want to go that route (I use rose petal, personally).

Thayer's Natural Remedies

It's about $10 a bottle at my local market.