Thread: My First Razor and shave...

I'm sure my story isn't unique, but I wanted to share anyway!

I am new to straight razors. I just purchased the Lynn-honed Dovo Special Tortise shell in 6/8. I also purchased the Rock Hard Felt strop. My thinking was to get a quality razor, and a capable strop. I try not to skimp on tools, it's cheaper in the long run to buy quality first. A deal like SRD's with the free pro honing and a certificate for an additional free honing is hard to beat. even if you get the same razor somewhere else for le$$, you still have to put out $$$ to get it ready.

I lurked through all the forums here. I mined youtube for information on everything from brush selection to creams to techniques. I talked to Don at SRD. He gave me excellent guidance, and I didn't get the pressure to spend $$$ when just $ would work.

I got
Dovo Special Tortise Shell in 6/8
SRD 3" Rock Hard wool with the standard black webbing for the 2nd material
.5 Micron Diamond Spray 4 oz

I placed my order on Friday afternoon PDT. The order was on my doorstep the following MONDAY. WOW!

I prepped the strop per the directions. It was tough to hold back from just going for a test run with my razor, but it was honed, not stropped, and I had to wait for the diamond spray to dry.

I found "Jockeys" on youtube.Awesome shaving tutorials, and Uber-Lather. Based on Jockeys input, I stopped in at the Mall and bought the Bigelows Shave Cream at Bath and Body Works.

I stopped at Wal-Mart and bought a shaving brush/bowl/soap kit for a little over $7. It's a boar brush, but it works for a newbie like me for now. I didn't have the glycerin tonight, but the Semi-Uber Lather came out nice anyway!

Tonight was my first attempt at shaving.

I stropped my razor, going slow, remembering all of the advice I found here and on youtube. I practiced getting the motion, the flip and the almost no pressure techinque.

I mixed up the Semi-Uber Lather in a big Starbucks coffee mug. I only needed a little lather because I wasn't going for my face tonight. I shaved the back of my left hand instead. A slash there would be easier to deal with, and easier to explain when people see it. Anyway...

I brused the foam on my hand...and put the blade to it. I really had to focus on the 'no pressure on the blade' warning. It was as if I had to employ a sniper 'BRASS' technique..Breathe...Relax...Aim...Slow Shave....

I now have a left hand that is hair-free and BBS.

Anyway, lathered and shaved it 3 times, 3 directions. No nicks, no blood. Felt pretty confident on the third round, but still took it VERY easy.

I'm hooked.

So thanks everyone who posted guidance on these forums. Thanks to Don and Lynn at SRD for making this a fun adventure. I *will* be back when I need my second razor.

ShakyHand

Welcome to SRP

Happy to hear that your first try went well and you're on your way to flourish the blade to your beard.

Though it is good to get your bearings with the feel of the razor, I can imagine explaining the cut in the left hand
-"cut it while shaving"
-"so... you got lost on your way? ".

You obviously did your homework, so you know that wiki and the search function on this board is quite handy way to search information.

Welcome to SRP. Maybe I missed this but do you have a leather strop? It sounds like you have felt and black webbing only.

SRD 3" Rock Hard wool with the standard black webbing for the 2nd material

For daily maintenance I think you should have a leather strop, unless there's some new twist to razor maintenance I'm not aware of?

Sounds like you've done your research and you're off to a good start. Good luck when blade touches face. Keep us posted.

Originally Posted by keenedge

Welcome to SRP. Maybe I missed this but do you have a leather strop? It sounds like you have felt and black webbing only.

For daily maintenance I think you should have a leather strop, unless there's some new twist to razor maintenance I'm not aware of?

Sounds like you've done your research and you're off to a good start. Good luck when blade touches face. Keep us posted.

Hi Keenedge...

I do have only the felt and webbing...maybe I misunderstood the function of the felt strop? When I talked to Don at SRD, I thought he recommended the felt as an alternate (especially for a beginner like me). It didn't seem like it was an 'in addition to leather' recommendation. He did say that the Latigo leather strop is a good way to go..

Will the leather strop give me an even sharper edge? How many strops might a typical razor-nut use? It sounds like I should have one more at least...the black webbing to straighten and heat the edge, the felt with the diamond spray to clean up the edge, and a leather strop to put the final touch?

Thanks!

Originally Posted by ShakyHand

Hi Keenedge...

I do have only the felt and webbing...maybe I misunderstood the function of the felt strop? When I talked to Don at SRD, I thought he recommended the felt as an alternate (especially for a beginner like me). It didn't seem like it was an 'in addition to leather' recommendation. He did say that the Latigo leather strop is a good way to go..

Will the leather strop give me an even sharper edge? How many strops might a typical razor-nut use? It sounds like I should have one more at least...the black webbing to straighten and heat the edge, the felt with the diamond spray to clean up the edge, and a leather strop to put the final touch?

Thanks!

If you're stropping every time you shave on a diamond pasted felt strop, I think you do need a leather strop. My understanding is the diamond paste should only be used when the blade needs a little touch up. In other words when the razor starts dulling a bit after a few shaves (pulling on your whiskers), then you use the diamond paste. In between you'd use the black webbing and leather each time you shave.

Honemeisters, please step in here and advise this gentleman. I don't want to be steering him down the wrong rode, but what he's doing I've not heard advised before. Thanks

Welcome to SRP and congrats on your shaving success. I like an untreated leather strop for daily stropping. I also have the felt with the diamond spray for when I feel like using that. My current favorite and daily driver is SRD's premium 1 with the webbed fabric. A lot of guys like leather with linen or cotton as a second component.

Well...you guys were right...I was missing a very important piece of equipment...I spoke with Don, and I missed the part where the felt strop was in ADDITION to a leather strop. I got a pretty nice shave this morning, anyway...

My SRD Premium I leather strop has been ordered.

Thanks, all!

Good deal, glad you got it straightened out.

From what I've read, I think the diamond pasted is more for a light upkeep when the razor is starting to pull rather than a regular "x strokes before shave" type of maintenance.