How am I doing -- so far?

I'm completely new at this, so I'm wondering if I'm heading in the right direction.

1. Asked a lot of questions here - I'm sure lot's more to come.
2. Ordered Lynn's DVD.
3. Planning on getting shave ready and tested DOVO razor -- comes with free resharpening
4. Looking at the Filly strop at Rup Razor.
5. Ordered very cheap razor for practice -- not for shaving, just to practice stropping and honing when the time comes. (reviews say it sucks as it comes, but holds a good edge when sharpened)
6. Holding off on hone.
7. Already have brush and soap.

Where am I going wrong, or what am I missing?

TIA

Looks to me that your on the right track. I wouldn't actually begin shaving until you get the strop. You just need to decide if your going to use a hone or pasted strop for touchups. Initally you don't need either but you'll find out how many shaves you get before you need a touchup. It could be as little as 15 or into the hundreds.

TIA,

Sounds good so far. It's pretty much the way I started, sans the DVD, as I watched my grandfather shave with his staight razor about 50 years ago and just tried to do it the same way. Lynn's DVD goes into very good detail, so I think you are going to be going straight in the right direction. Just take it easy at first and do the easy parts of your face first - and that's probably your cheeks.

good shaving,

A little too detailed for me, I'm more of a "just do it" guy, and this is how I approached straight shaving several years ago. But, if this is your way, then go for it.

Looks like you got what you need. With regards to the touch ups, very good advice. I would try and decided sometime soon after getting/using your razor what you would like to try touching up on. Of course, it may be the case that you rarely have to touch up. I was getting great shaves with one razor, and as soon as I thought it needed a touch up I sent it out to hi_bud_gl to touch up for me (normally I do it myself but I wanted to try a stone of his) he told me that the edge was over honed and needed a whole rebuild lol... so apparently I have tough skin or a soft beard or something. Point is you might not need it right away, but eventually everyone needs a touch up.

The strop I'm looking at already has a .5 diamond spray (or something like that) on the back for touchups. I'm assuming that will do me for awhile.

I"ve seen so many videos on honing I think I can do it in my sleep. Worst case scenerio, I figure out what I did wrong and have it professionally sharpened again.

Also, yes, I do tend to go a little overboard when I do these things. I got interested in guns, and now I'm a NRA instructor. Not sure where this will take me. :)

One last thing you might do is find a competent barber who can give you a straight razor shave. This will give you a preview of the joy of a str8 shave and a feel for what the results should be.

Rich

"There is no native criminal class except Congress,"- Mark Twain

I don't think you're doing anything wrong. I would stongly recommend you get the essentials quickly though. It's one thing reading, but just getting on and doing it will answer a lot of questions and present more that are unique to you.

As for hones, it's not a difficult process at all. The difficult thing is choosing which path is right for you, it's basically subjective. I went with natural stones and will stick with them.

I notice, also, that you haven't mentioned beard prep of any kind. Absolutely essential.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Richard

One last thing you might do is find a competent barber who can give you a straight razor shave. This will give you a preview of the joy of a str8 shave and a feel for what the results should be.

Rich

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Had one a long time ago. I do remember what it was like. Very clean and very smooth, and a spa-like experience.

Welcome ziggy

1. Be careful and don't be in any hurry, especially when doing the actual shaving of your face, develop proper and good technique first.
2. Be careful and don't be in a hurry.
3. Refer to #'s 1 & 2 above.

Did I mention to be careful and don't be in a hurry.

A gash will not be forgotten, and a hard lesson is well learned.

I think doing all the reading is great. Just be patient and persistent. Everyone has a different learning curve and time will tell how long it takes but I think you're doing just fine.

Sounds good, instead of getting a cheap razor, I'd get a cheap practice strop. Most guys cut them or nick them, right off the bat when they start. A cheap razor is good for when you start honing.
Dovo is a good razor, good choice. Let me know if I can help. Pm me if you want....
Welcome.....

Rich

OK, thanks for the encouragement. I ordered the razor, and the inexpensive but good strop. I have the brush and soap, and even picked up a styptic pencil. :)

With all the help here it should be more fun than frustration.