n00b joining the forums.

[shiznix]

Hi


You can see the strop on the photograph that I have taken ;-)


And yes, I know this shit is more expensive than it could be in other countries. Thing is, this is Switzerland and your american Dollar or Euro is worth only 50 cents here. everything is bloody expensive, but people also earn twice as much as in the surrounding countries.

And this shop really is the only place I know where I can get straight razors from a guy who actually knows what he's talking about. I might possibly get one in my town too, but I would not know of any competent straight razor veteran.


I have another question, about honing: I do not shave every day (more like two or three times a week) and I don't have much facial hair (in fact, only around the chin, moustache and sideburns, a few single hairs around my throat).

After how much time should I send my razor to some honing service?


thx so far.

/EDIT: BTW, the brush cost me around 60 bucks.

[BladeRunner001]

Hi


You can see the strop on the photograph that I have taken ;-)


And yes, I know this shit is more expensive than it could be in other countries. Thing is, this is Switzerland and your american Dollar or Euro is worth only 50 cents here. everything is bloody expensive, but people also earn twice as much as in the surrounding countries.

And this shop really is the only place I know where I can get straight razors from a guy who actually knows what he's talking about. I might possibly get one in my town too, but I would not know of any competent straight razor veteran.


I have another question, about honing: I do not shave every day (more like two or three times a week) and I don't have much facial hair (in fact, only around the chin, moustache and sideburns, a few single hairs around my throat).

After how much time should I send my razor to some honing service?


thx so far.

/EDIT: BTW, the brush cost me around 60 bucks.

Sorry...it was difficult to see the strop in the pict.

As for honing...once the razor starts pulling and tugging, it's time for some honing. At the beginning, it may be sooner than usual (3- weeks?), but once you start getting your technique down, it'll be every 2-3 months...this is very average, you know...YMMV

[shiznix]

Sorry...it was difficult to see the strop in the pict.

Nothing to apologize for ;-)

As for honing...once the razor starts pulling and tugging, it's time for some honing. At the beginning, it may be sooner than usual (3- weeks?), but once you start getting your technique down, it'll be every 2-3 months...this is very average, you know...YMMV

Hmm... every 2-3 months... sounds rather often. Guess I will need to learn to do this by myself.

How big is the risk of permantly damaging the razor? I mean... if you're being really patient and watch a lot of youtube tutorial videos and read lots of stuff prior to trying the first time, and treat the razor like you would treat your own baby child?

Is it like
"you're most probably going to f*ck your razor no matter how much attention you pay"
or is it like
"if you really pay a lot of attention and be careful all the time, it's unlikely you're going to brick your razor"
?

[BladeRunner001]

Nothing to apologize for ;-)



Hmm... every 2-3 months... sounds rather often. Guess I will need to learn to do this by myself.

How big is the risk of permantly damaging the razor? I mean... if you're being really patient and watch a lot of youtube tutorial videos and read lots of stuff prior to trying the first time, and treat the razor like you would treat your own baby child?

Is it like
"you're most probably going to f*ck your razor no matter how much attention you pay"
or is it like
"if you really pay a lot of attention and be careful all the time, it's unlikely you're going to brick your razor"
?

Remember, as you get better at this, honing will be less and less often. We tend to "ruin" the edge as we start out (bad technique, etc...). Also, 2-3 months is very much average (some go 6 months without honing), but daily stropping (with good technique) is important for maintaining a good edge...This is what I have learned from Wiki and other senior members here.

If you are going to learn honing, then this is what I suggest:

1. get yourself a couple of "practice" razors (eBay or classified, other)...something you don;t care about that much

2. Learn on it...not your every day shavers

3. Get some good hones...there are a lot of choices and with each comes different techniques. It is rather fun. I, personally have Naniwas (1k, 5k, 8k and 12k). I also have a Yellow coticule, which is a natural stone. There are many others, each with different characteristics...Study the Wiki and some threads by master honers (Lynn, JimmyHAD, and others...to many good ones on SRP)...Shoot them a PM and ask questions

[LouG]

Dear Shiznix,

It looks like a pretty good setup to me. You are on your way now. Just go slow and do a little bit each day and learn as you go. I've been at it for 2 weeks tomorrow and yesterday did my first full face shave with the str8. It took me an hour. I find that if I do each part of my face multiple times. Like 2 pass with the grain and 2 passes across the grain and maybe one pass against the grain relathering between each pass. I also take short little strokes, but see what works best for you. I shaved today in 35 minutes with great results. I can't believe what a great shave I get. After 12 hours my face still feels as smooth or smoother than right after I'm done with a Mach 3. Incredible. Best of luck to you!

[markevens]

Welcome!

I'm pretty new myself (2 months in) and have no regrets what so ever. Shaving is now a pleasure instead of a chore, and I get a closer, longer lasting shave than I ever thought possible.

[thsixscrews]

Shiznix, just wanted to say welcome....you have found a really great place here at SRP. The folks here are great!! And there are no stupid questions here, cuz everyone has to start somewhere....I know I did and if there were any stupid questions, I'm sure I would have come up with em. I am new at this too, I messed up and bought some really cheap stuff, before I found SRP, and have learned better since. You will enjoy your str8, and you will enjoy SRP. Just have fun with it, and it will be something you will look forward to, instead of a chore. Just alot of research, and searching and you will find what you are looking for, because if its not on here at SRP, its probably not anywhere. Well, anyway's, welcome and enjoy......

Kent

[jeffegg2]

Oh, I feel obligated to mention that you won't really be saving any money. You'll figure that one out quickly...

Of course you are including all the soaps and creams and just the "collector addiction" once you pick up a straight?

Once you include the hones, soaps and creams, a couple quality straights, brushs, strops, I guess I have in about 400 bucks now. That would buy a lot of mach 3's I suppose. But still I am much more eco-friendly!!

Bare minimum: Gold dollar shave ready 25 bucks, brush and soap 7 bucks, filly strop 20 bucks, ebay barber hone for touch ups, perhaps 40 bucks?

Then I would be saving money, but not feeling so elegant when I shave. Also there is something about paying for a quality german made straight that gives you more incentive to keep going when the going gets tough!