Thread: total noob but not for long

hi totally new guy here, i got a straight razor for christmas, have allways wanted to learn ever since i got a straight shave at a barber, but with being in the military for such a long time it was lots of hurry up and shave...

so my name is millerasm, and im 35.. just got a solingen razor (anyone know anything about it) and good or bad.. got a leather strop and a canvas one stil reading up on what and how to use so wish me luck

great site with lots of info so im gonna be reading...

if it was made in solingen its going to be a great razor! BUT has it been honed to shave ready? if not send it off and have it honed so you dont carve your face like a christmas ham while its out getting honed you should find a good badger hair brush, a shaving mug or scuttle if you choose you can always steal a bowl from the kitchen and use that
and some good shaving cream or soap theres a section on here for reviews of creams and soaps..dont skimp on this get something quality. i use taylor of bond street creams. its fairly good price and works very well then theres the top of the line stuff like truefitt and hill and the castle forbs collection theres also a wiki site on here with tons of info on whats good and what to avoid. good luck and welcome aboard.......thats funny you say hurry up and shave.. for me it always seems to be the hurry up and wait.. be here at 0400 and dont do anything until 0930

Millerasm,
I got my first straight on Christmas 2006 and have been using them daily ever since. Don't get discouraged, just keep on shaving. The learning curve is months, but you will have a lot of progress in a couple of weeks if you will keep at it. You will find the forums here very useful, but there is no substitute for daily shaving.
Scott

Welcome to SRP!

As has been mentioned if the razor was not honed be sure to send it out before you start using it. Check out the Wiki and try to view the stropping videos.

Be sure to ask any questions, you will get plenty of good information here.

Good Luck!

Lu

Welcome to SRP. If you let us know the brand name stamped on the razor we could better tell you what you have. Usually Solingen made razors are good. As the previous posters said , pro honing is the way to go if it didn't come with that service provided.

Read this post here by SRP founder Lynn Abrams and follow the suggestions for best results before your first shave. Also read my sig line below to avoid nicks and cuts.

thanks guys... yeah it had gotten sharpened already before the girlfriend bought it.. her dad used to shave with one...so she knows a little.. (dont tell her i said that.. shell hold it against me...lol) anyway i been reading about honing and stroping and stuff, ive been a chef (culinary school the whole 9yards..)ever since i got out the military and.. i have some hones but most of them are to corse for this razor.. i think ill pick up that part pretty easy.. all i need now is to got and get some creams and the few odd and ends that ill need to start...

one question i did have is my beard is real and i mean real corse.. i also get a lot of ingrown hairs from regular shaving.. im gonna let my beard grow in a little first before i start.. do you think this would be a good idea or should i start while the hair is short/stubble

thanks guys for all the great advice, through out the posts

you can do either one.. i have a prety course beard as well so its easier for me to just shave every day. i have never had to much problem with ingrown hairs unless i shave againt the grain which i dont do any more because of that.... but if you let it grow out i dont know how sensitive your skin is but with longer facial hair you may have to make 2-3 passes WTG before you go across the grain. a hot shower before hand is a must it really helps make it easier on your face. and yes kitchen hones will be way to course look for a barbers hone just to keep that edge fresh when stroping is no longer enough