Thread: Slowly, but Surely...

*Please feel free to give me your opinions*
Here is my noob/newby, self improvement, shave plan;

1) Purchase my first inexpensive shaving soap -w- shave bowl. (Done)
2) Purchase my first inexpensive Boars Hair shave brush. (Done)
3) Learn to master the art of a proper lather. (Off to a good start I think)

For now I will be using up the rest of my disposable razors until they run out as I slowly but surely try to master a proper lather.

-By the end of this year-

4) Purchase a good quality double edge razor; Probably a 'Merkur Vision Adjustable' for Christmas. (Pending)
5) Purchase a good quality Badger Hair shave brush. (Pending)
6) Purchase a better quality shave soap. (Pending)

I plan to use the double edge razor for around 6 months until my birthday in June. My goal is to master the lather and the double edge razor first and then to 'gradually' work my way up to a straight razor.

-My birthday in June-

7) Purchase my first good quality straight razor; Probably a 'Dovo Classic 6/8 "professionally honed" straight razor. (Pending)
8) Purchase a good quality Strop. (Pending)

9) Try not to injure myself. (Crossing my fingers)

Thoughts?

I think you're off to a good start.

I think as you work your way through your disposable razors you should have a designated safety razor day.

That way you still get the practice you need to learn the skills. Maybe a Saturday just so your off work and dont have to stress about time or other factors.

Same would apply to a straight. Just take your time. Practise with it slowly until you get the hang of it.

What kind of brush and soap did you purchase?

That's a great plan you got there..... although you seem to understand the importance of a great lathering technique, so I'd insert a 6a item on your list that would consist of getting a high end shaving cream to go along with your badger and fine soap to try the überlather!!... I just can't (and won't) live without it: it's like an addiction I wouldn't let go (hopefully)....

Good luck!!!!

Originally Posted by basil

I think you're off to a good start.

I think as you work your way through your disposable razors you should have a designated safety razor day.

That way you still get the practice you need to learn the skills. Maybe a Saturday just so your off work and dont have to stress about time or other factors.

Same would apply to a straight. Just take your time. Practise with it slowly until you get the hang of it.

What kind of brush and soap did you purchase?

Nothing fancy...

I just purchased a simple .99 cent puck of 'Williams' shaving soap and a $9.00 'Van der Hagen Boar' brush at my local market place.

The actual shave bowl that I picked out ended up being a medium sized white ceramic ice cream bowl that I found at the local Kroger's market for $2.99 , The puck of shave soap actually fits 'perfectly' inside. One of the store employees was staring at me strangely when he saw me trying to size the shave soap into the right bowl/cup. LOL

I fashioned a temporary stand to hang the shave brush out of a wire coat hanger. My wife was staring at me strangely at first with the coat hanger, then when she saw what it was for she said; "Wow, you are smart honey buns!" :-)

Everything sounds good to me.
Except you need to qualify what you mean by professionaly honed?
Anything I've ever had from a factory seldom in my experience came up to snuff. To avoid dissapointment get Lynn or an equaly reputable honemiester to give it the once over before first use. You won't be disapointed that way.

Originally Posted by Deckard

Everything sounds good to me.
Except you need to qualify what you mean by professionaly honed?
Anything I've ever had from a factory seldom in my experience came up to snuff. To avoid dissapointment get Lynn or an equaly reputable honemiester to give it the once over before first use. You won't be disapointed that way.

I was thinking of ordering my Dovo straight razor from; ClassicShaving.com
They sell both 'Factory Honed' and 'Professionally Honed' razors.
They seem reputable.

Yep,
Should be ok, Although I did have a top dollar TI from them (old stock, bad grind) that did need a little extra work. I'm sure if I'd have sent back they would have made good, this side of the pond shipping is a consideration.

Sounds like you have thought out your plan of action and that's a great start. Be sure to read the WIKI if you have not already. As far as lather goes, you may also want to check out C.O. Bigelow shave cream. You can find it at Bath & Body Works at a reasonable cost. I think they charge $5 for the small tube and $10 for the large. Best of luck and keep us posted.

Originally Posted by ReardenSteel

Sounds like you have thought out your plan of action and that's a great start. Be sure to read the WIKI if you have not already. As far as lather goes, you may also want to check out C.O. Bigelow shave cream. You can find it at Bath & Body Works at a reasonable cost. I think they charge $5 for the small tube and $10 for the large. Best of luck and keep us posted.

Also buy two and get one free!

Sounds like you have a plan!!! Once you move to the DE, you need to learn to keep a light touch. The biggest problem that I found with the DE is when my beard growth was over a few days, it would tug like crazy. I used to shave first over lightly with my electric. The straight does not have this problem, so really you could just jump straight to the straight and not miss anything. I wish I had.

Originally Posted by jeffegg2

Also buy two and get one free!

What??? I was just there and the salesperson did not mention that.