New to SRP and Straight Razors

[mbrando]

Hi,

I thought it would be good to say 'Hi'. I received a shaving setup as a gift. I have a La Grange razor, a strop, a soap cake and a hone. I'd have to say that SRP has a ton of great info. I've been watching some of the videos and reading the wiki/FAQ. Its a lot to take in but I'm seeing that that the difference is in the details.

I've only shaved 3 times so far. After the second time I watched video on stropping and discovered I was not doing it correctly. My 3rd shave was much easier after stropping correctly.

Any how, 'Hi' and thanks for putting all of this info in one place.

Sincerely,
Mike

[leadduck]

Welcome to SRP and the to art of straight razor shaving. Sounds like l nice setup you were given. I'm sure you've read of the difference between pre-sharpened and shave ready. Has your razor been honed? If not, you'll get a much better and more comfortable shave after sending it out. Yeah, I know it'd hard giving it up for a few days, but it's got to be done. Again, welcome.

[mbrando]

Hi,

Thanks for the welcome. When I was given the set I was told that it was 'shave ready" and honed; and that I should only use the strop, for now.

Getting the stropping motion down is tough. I'm a bit clumsy at it. At first I was rotating on the blade side and thought, 'nice sound', the shing at the end. After watching a video I noted that I was doing wrong, supposed to roll on the spine. So when I strop have to draw spine fist, pause roll on spine draw back. Practice practice practice.

Mike

[JimmyHAD]

Welcome to SRP Mike. Here is a 1961 barber manual except on honing and stropping from the SRP Wiki help files. They recommend practicing flipping the razor without doing the stroke until you've got that in muscle memory. A useful exercise IMO.

[mbrando]

Welcome to SRP Mike. Here is a 1961 barber manual except on honing and stropping from the SRP Wiki help files. They recommend practicing flipping the razor without doing the stroke until you've got that in muscle memory. A useful exercise IMO.

Thanks Jimmy. I'll take a look at the link.

Mike

[deighaingeal]

Hello and welcome. I have to say these guys are very knowledgable and have helped out a lot, they seem very eager to help. You have probably rolled your edge having flipped it on the edge side I'd recommend a re-hone.

[mbrando]

Hello and welcome. I have to say these guys are very knowledgable and have helped out a lot, they seem very eager to help. You have probably rolled your edge having flipped it on the edge side I'd recommend a re-hone.

Hi,

Thank you. I'm still shocked at the amount of info on this site. Lot's to look at and read. The stropping seemed to help a lot, when I started doing it correctly. If more stropping does not help I'll re-hone.

Mike