Thread: Carried away

Good lather is imperative, and the chin is the hardest part to shave for everybody.

IMO you have two real choices for soap. You can drop a soap puck in a coffee mug and work up a good lather with your brush in the mug. Don't use too much pressure, and you'll soon find how much water you have to add to get a nich thick lather. As others have said, if it really sucks just pour it out and start over. Don't rush. I'd say that whipped cream analogy is a good one, and if you take your time you find the lather will build to that consistancy.

The other choice is to use a soap like Proraso which comes in its own plastic tub. Just work your brush over the soap and when the brush is picking up the soap paint it on your face, a section at a time. Then, work up the lather directly on your face using more or less water on the brush to get the consistancy you want. This method actually takes a little less time than working up the lather in a cup.

Sounds like you are off to a good start. You just need to take your time. Let us know how it goes.

+1 on ziggy's advice.

Congratulations as well on your succesfsful entry into the world of straight razor shaving.

Take care--and smooth shaving.

It's all been such great advice. I've been working on getting my soap to water ratio down. I think I've about gotten it. The chin has gotten muh better. My Mach3 always left me with razor burn under my chin. I was pleasantly suprised with my chin not burned after m last str8 shave. Why did people ever give up str8s for disposables?

Try this on your chin: Shave left to right and right to left, swapping hands if you can. Grab the skin on your jaw with the free hand and pull back to stretch the skin. Go slow and take it easy and you should get a good shave around the end of your chin. Then, shave from the lower lip down to your clean chin, and do your neck as usual. I've seen people shave from the lower lip down and completely around the chin. I've seen it but I can't do it.

Good prep and maybe a hot towel can also help around the chin.

As for why people gave up on straights, just read Gillette's history. They sold razors cheap and made thier money on disposible blades. If you stay away from those multiblade razors they sell now, a double edge razor with disposible blades is still a good way to wet shave and not very expensive.

IMO straights are making a comeback more for asthetic and historic reasons, and it also turns your shave into a pleasant ritual. My electric is in a drawer somewhere, and I use a DE when I'm in a hurry. It's just fun smearing lather all over your face.

I get a better shave with my str8. The ritual is even better. So much better than the chore that shaving used to be.

Originally Posted by Kratzer001

I get a better shave with my str8. The ritual is even better. So much better than the chore that shaving used to be.

Amen brother!