Thread: Before and after

Oh rain away! That`s cool, I`m happy that experienced people are taking the time to help me out I`ve learned some pretty mad stuff in this way, my astrophotography for example, mostly learned from experienced people on forums, couldn`t have done it without them. I couldn`t have got where I am in my trade without listening to experience so please, feel free...
As I say I`m happy to take a few recommedations here as to what razor WOULD actually be a good starting point. The one I`m using at the moment still has visable grind marks near the bevel and the point which didn`t fill me with confidence straight away. I have managed to get it rediculously sharp mind you, the HHT is a dodle now, I need only touch the hair on the blade and I get a lovely "BEE!" sound as the hair just falls into two pieces. I never need persuading to get more tools though! lol If you`d recommend a few, I`ll pick one up as soon as I can.....

Originally Posted by Feebo

Right.... Yeah I was asking for pictures of the face. I suppose even if you have the closest shave in the world, you can still actually see the stubble can`t you? Todays shave has to be the best yet, I`d freshly stropped my razor with a few pasted strops. Red, black and then leather. That left my razor looking different, (the bevel was poilished) and sounding totally different too. I`ve started off with a cheap razor, I figure I won`t be ready for a beautiful antique for a year or so. Here`s my razor....
Imperial UK - SHAVING STRAIGHT CUT THROAT RAZOR + STROP on eBay (end time 22-Jun-10 21:13:38 BST)
I`m using Geo F. Trumper sandalwood shave soap and a pure Badger brush. I`m having a shower before each shave to try and soften the hair. I make sure my face is wet before I begin, lather up (one section at a time because I`m still quite slow) cheeks first WTG, then the top lip, scooping downward from the nose. I`m still finding this bit a little catchy and often have to come in sideways on the top lip. Then onto my chin, I`m still struggling to do the front of my chin properly because it`s too hard! If you see what I mean... Head up and WTG on the neck. I`m doing quite short passes, going back and forward again a little so as I cover the same spot a few times. Not really sure this is correct but it`s not causing irritation or anything. I then go ATG from the neck to the chin then cheeks. There are plenty of places I seem to need a sideways pass on, which I`m carefully attempting. I hope this is the kind of information you wanted and I`m not just wittering here lol So all in all I`m doing WTG then ATG and a few sideways to try and get some awkard hairs. There are plenty of places where I just can`t seem to get them. Like my neck where they grow in all directions but I guess that`ll come as I gain more and more experience.... How`s that? Enough? It`s probably worth mentioning that I`ve had a little trouble with the correct angle at first, it is quite difficult to maintain it with all those different contours isn`t it? As for my expectations, I would have thought I can achieve a shave so close I can feel NO stubble at all, like there was never any hair there, although as I say you`ll probably still see it a little won`t you. Even though I finished things off with my M3 today, I`ve ended up with what is definitely the closest shave I`ve ever had which is great!

If you are looking into a high power mirror (wife's make-up mirror) your face will look horrible. The magnification makes it appear like you did not shave since the pores are open and the stubble is (should be ) standing up. I did this and was shocked at what I saw. I no longer use that mirror.

As stated previously, let your hand, or better yet your wife's hand be the judge. There are other ways to test the closeness but those are better left for private conversations.

Hahahaha quite ! No I don`t use a mag mirror. I use a five foot by six foot normail mirror, it covers the whole wall in my bathroom

Originally Posted by Feebo

As I say I`m happy to take a few recommedations here as to what razor WOULD actually be a good starting point.

Here ya go. Pick one from this database.

Category:Straight Razor Database - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Oh excellent! Thanksyou very much I will do....

...... Wow that`s just a bunch of words lol I`ll have to try and figure out what that`s all about over a pizza later I think.....
Maybe if I could have a few specific recommendations for a begginers razor?

Originally Posted by Feebo

Maybe if I could have a few specific recommendations for a begginers razor?

You realise this thread will now be flooded with the same brands as in the Wiki

LOL Yeeeah... It`s just a little difficult choosing. I`m on a budget but want a trusted brand. I believe 6/8 is best to start with but don`t fully understand why. Width of the blade is it? making it heavier or lighter and more manuverable? Hollow grind or half hollow? I know not what the difference is performance wise..... I`ve asked the same questions in another thread, sorry if I`ve made a mess...

Unless you have a chance to shave with a number of different grinds & sizes you will not know the difference at this stage. 5/8 or 6/8 is fine
Just buy something "shave ready" from someone that will stand by that claim.
Generally " budget" & "trusted brand" don't go together but it's not impossible.
Check out the classifieds here . Often some great deals. Straight Razors - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

Cheers I`ve got someone helping me out now, hopefully I`ll be buying a razor from them