Thread: Beginners Straight Shaving Journal

Hi Everyone,
I have decided to start up a Straight Shaving journal to record my progress, and to gain much needed advice along this journey.

At the moment i shave with a Mekur Progress which my Fiancee purchased for me for Christmas. I always wanted a straight razor, but always figured they would be way to hard to obtain and upkeep. I first became obsessed with straight razors after watching the movie Sweeney Todd. After I found this site I started reading all i could about them. I figured that I wouldnt know if i could do it or not unless i gave it a try. So i went to the classifieds and ordered a razor from LarryAndo (i believe his name is)
The Razor just arrived in my mailbox this afternoon and im excited to give it a try. She's a BEAUT. A J.R.Torrey razor with dark green scales.

Tomorrow morning i will have my first shave with it and i will update this to let you know how it all went!

I hope he survives.

I guess he didn't make it.

RIP, Brantd, RIP*...

* "P" in this case may be plural, depending on the severity of failure.

Brandt,

Congratulations on making the move! Torrey's are nice razors.

The Wiki SRP suggestions will serve you well and SRP members are here to support you.

Don't forget to treat yourself to a Strop.

Pabster

congrats...let us know how it works out for you...

Welcome to our elite brotherhood. When I was starting out, I found the words of wisdom on the site to be invaluable. I think the most useful peices of advice I got were 1. start with the easier areas and move into the more difficult places as you get more comfortable and 2. Patience, patience, patience. Good luck. (I hope AlexH was wrong).

Originally Posted by AxelH

I guess he didn't make it.

RIP, Brantd, RIP*...

* "P" in this case may be plural, depending on the severity of failure.

It's so sad when they leave us so young.

Haha, no i didn't pull a Sweeney Todd on myself (thankfully). I attempted my first time this morning, but didnt have enough time to right do a right up because i had to get to work. so here it goes:

Prep: Hot shower
Razor: Brand new (to me) J.R. Torrey razor
Brush: Fendrihan Pure Grey Badger
Cream: Kiss my Face lavender shave cream
Aftershave: Neutrogena razor defense
Result: decent

As it was my first time handling a straight razor, i was fairly nervous as i didn't want a scene from a horror movie to unfold in front of my eyes. I realized that all the movies and scenes really give straight razors a bad name. My first shave was successful!!! no nicks, no cuts, and a decent shave!!! I started with a WTG pass followed by a XTG pass. Although my face isn't completely smooth i think i did an alright job. The usually areas, such as the chin and neck are still a little stubbly, but not too bad.

I think i might watch a video or two to watch learn some better techniques after I get back from my second job tonight.

Originally Posted by Brantd

Haha, no i didn't pull a Sweeney Todd on myself
no nicks, no cuts

dont worry about it you will get there

(not the sweeny todd part i hope)

Two things that should never be in the same room together:

• haste
• straight razor