Thread: Beginners Tips: August 2010

So another month has come and gone, as I tend to write these in the middle of each month...

Here are some things I have been noticing on the forums...

The obsession with BBS:
Might I suggest a close comfortable shave first, then after that becomes easy, and commonplace then try for the BBS shave..
Another hint to getting a BBS shave is "NO Pressure" when shaving, I know it sounds counterintuitive to what you would think, but honestly if you want to get all those little hairs, back off on the pressure Bub Also you might try a water only, last clean up pass...

Over-honing:
This one is cropping up again, when you first start honing it seems there is a fear of overhoning... Honestly it isn't that easy to do, be more concerned with under-honing, because most of the problems that beginners have come in the bevel setting stage.. Not in the Sharpening, Polishing and Finishing stages...

E-bay and "Shave Ready Razors"
In the last year the number of shave ready ads has skyrocketed, before that there were maybe 2 e-bay sellers that advertised shave ready in their listings... E-bay sellers are not stupid they see how much more money those words bring, and they don't mind using them..Beginners take warning here, e-bay is NOT for you, wait at least 6 months before you go near e-bay.. Basic rule is, if you have to ask us if it was a good buy, you probably shouldn't be buying there...
We are actually seeing E-bay sellers advertising honing services now, again take caution with doing things through e-bay...

Impatience:
Honestly this is not a good hobby, or way to shave if you are the impatient type of person...
Everything about this takes time and dedication to get it all clicking correctly...
The single best step you can ever take to speed up this process, is go to a meet..If there is one in you area, GO !!! seriously take the time and go have a great time...If you are an experienced straight shaver , GO and help teach, I swear you learn more by teaching, then you ever do by doing, ask any Martial Arts instructor
But for you beginners, the best advice we give on this forum is "Take Your Time"

Hope some of this helped, as always feel free to add comments to this thread, especially the senior members, as many of us see things from a different angle, and the more perspectives we present, the better these threads are for the New Guys....