Thread: anticipation is thickening

okay - so I got into this whole straight razor thing a little bit ago and got a straight razor off of the classifieds - lets just say it didnt work out like I thought it all would - I can chalk that up to beginners luck and let it go - so upon further research on here and local barber shops I ordered and highly anticipate getting perhaps in tomorrows mail a shavette type razor - I also anticipate by Friday receiving the blades for said shavette and officially begin a new chapter of my life - as long as I dont chop my face apart with it I will be thrilled - I am so excited about starting this process - Im already a little ticked off though that my styptic pencil labled with "does not sting" seems to sting fairly well for a few seconds - but it does stop the bleeding fairly well - so its a good starting point I suppose.

Well cheers to you all and may the force be with you - always.

Just do good prep, stretch the skin properly, and watch your blade angle. Use little or no pressure and follow the advice in my sig line below. You might want to re-read Lynn's instructions for beginning straight razor shaving here. If you ease into it like Lynn suggests you might not need that styptic pencil.

Just curious, but how did the straight from the Classifieds not work out for you?

Good luck, and hope to hear how your progress goes

I say it didnt work out for me - but being the total rookie that I still am with this I will put the "blame" on myself this time - but it turned out that the razor has a crack in it of the 3/16 of an inch size - as Im sure you know - cracks tend to run and I am advised that upon being honed (which is needed) the blade would likely crack.

Originally Posted by jcash1

I say it didnt work out for me - but being the total rookie that I still am with this I will put the "blame" on myself this time - but it turned out that the razor has a crack in it of the 3/16 of an inch size - as Im sure you know - cracks tend to run and I am advised that upon being honed (which is needed) the blade would likely crack.

Wow, that's horrible. Did you try sending it back and asking for a refund? I would expect only gentlemen behavior here in the classifieds section.

Ah. That's a pretty major issue.

I'd certainly try to get my money back, but, regardless, I don't think you should give up on using a traditional straightrazor. While shavettes have their uses, nothing can compare to the zen experience of shaving with a real SR, in my opinion.

Wow, that's horrible. Did you try sending it back and asking for a refund? I would expect only gentlemen behavior here in the classifieds section.

Ah. That's a pretty major issue.

I'd certainly try to get my money back, but, regardless, I don't think you should give up on using a traditional straightrazor. While shavettes have their uses, nothing can compare to the zen experience of shaving with a real SR, in my opinion.

Lets see here - I have not tried sending it back and dont really plan to - I'm sure I could get a refund from the seller as we are all gentlemen here and yes a crack of that size is certainly a major issue I have learned. However being as it was my first attempt at it all I can easilly place it on myself this time - next time will be different story I promise. Im not at all giving up on the traditional straight razor shave - it turns out the barbershop of my first straight shave used a shavette type blade for the entire process and I was totally thrilled with it. I know the learning curve is steeper with a shavette and that kinda appeals to me as well. Once I master the shavette approach I will be ready to drop bigger money on a "true and shave ready" traditional straight razor. Cheers

Originally Posted by jcash1

Lets see here - I have not tried sending it back and dont really plan to - I'm sure I could get a refund from the seller as we are all gentlemen here and yes a crack of that size is certainly a major issue I have learned. However being as it was my first attempt at it all I can easilly place it on myself this time - next time will be different story I promise.

I don't quite get this. Did you do something that caused the crack? If not send it back and get a refund. You shouldn't have been sold a razor with a crack in it.

Im not at all giving up on the traditional straight razor shave

Good deal. It will come together, it will just take some time.

Originally Posted by keenedge

I don't quite get this. Did you do something that caused the crack? If not send it back and get a refund. You shouldn't have been sold a razor with a crack in it.

What keenedge said ! If a member knowingly sold a razor to you with a crack in the blade he ain't no gentleman.