My New Razor

Here is my first straight razor that I'll use. It's a classic Sheffield blade. I just had it honed and will begin the breaking my skin in process. I've got all the lathering stuff as I'm a DE shaver. I've got the Filly from ruprazor as my first strop and as the perennial hobbyist, I've got 2x4's and balsa galore around to make a balsa Cr2O3 strop. I've seen the instructions and also looked at a few, quite easy to make.
http://www.gsccdallas.org/images/DSC_1695.jpg

http://www.gsccdallas.org/images/DSC_1696.jpg

Nice! Best of luck to you as you begin...

You're all set! Take your time and enjoy the journey!

Welcome to SRP! I do think a 1 x 3 would be better than a 2 x 4 for a paddle strop, though...

I have plenty of them laying around too. Thanks.

Cool, koine2002. Good luck, its very important, that you already had it pre-honed. it will save a lot of grief. You have probably established a pre-shave prep, as you are a DE shaver. So, you are all ready. Let us know how you do, on your first straight shave. Once again good luck. STRAIGHT RAZOR 13.:tu

So, I did my first straight razor shave tonight (since I have to be up at the crack of dawn to make lattes). I used my new homemade soap formula (glyceryn/shea butter base w/ extra glycerin and eucalyptis)--a whole lot better lather than Williams. Anyway, after a shower with a glycerin soak (while showering) and face wash, I was ready to shave. My sideburns are already a bit sensitive since I've only been shaving them for 3 days since I shaved them to skin for the first time in three years (I switched back to a goatee). My neck area is good and used to shaving. I have a really, really thick, coarse and fast growing beard (thanks to my German roots) so I have to do a lot of prep.

Anyhoo, I came out of the straight razor shave with two nicks (due to a pimple and adjusting to a round spot). The blade was like a hot knife through butter. I'll be doing it every other day until I run out of DE blades (I've got 50 of them and don't want to waste the money I'd spent) and then I'm full on SR. Anyway, I loved the shave, but the angle of the blade as well as holding it on the bottom of my neck will take some getting used to. Also, the hair on my face changes directions of growth in several locations, so it makes for some creative mapping.

By the way, I tried melting down the Williams soap so I could add some more glycerine to it, well it just simply turned into a ball of thick goo that would not liquify.

Congrats on your first shave- it sounds like a very successful first attempt!

Welcome! Glad to hear that you are doing so well in your new endeavor, just curious though are you going to try out the Williams goo before you throw it out, ya never know, you just might be on to something. Good luck and have fun!