Thread: Starting out.

So the decision to try out the world of SRs has been made. And I’ve done quite a lot of reading, watching, and thinking.
But to that end I still feel the views of others, especially those that know and understand the world I’m trying to jump into are more accurate than my educated guesses.
I’m trying to compile this set cheaply, but not so cheap that I lessen the quality of my introduction.

So…
Razors.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/classifieds/showproduct.php/product/8340/cat/3
or
http://straightrazorpalace.com/classifieds/showproduct.php/product/8182/cat/3

Leaning more towards the first one, it’s not a square blade and tad bit cheaper but the second I’d say is very decent for quality and price.

Shaving soaps/creams.
This is where I’ve been stuck on. I’ve read all over that one of the major requirements for a proper and quality shave is the brush and soap/cream. As to what is a good soap / cream I’ve been lost. So any suggestions as to something that would fit well would be appreciated. One thing that I have noticed is price wise there doesn’t seem to be that large of a difference. And if I find the world of SRs to be exactly what I want I can always buy a pricer razor, but soaps will be used, so buying something that will show me what a SR can do seems to be the better investment.

Brushes, I know that a full badger brush is idea, and other than that I’m not sure if there really is anything else I should be concerned about. I was thinking something from www.whippeddog.com would be cheap and probably just as good as one of the more expensive brushes.

Preshave oils. They sound ideal. But again just like soaps/creams I haven’t found a easy way of choosing what would be the best decision.

Strops, I’m thinking something decently cheap, I might end up cutting it up for all I know. And in the end its cheaper to send the Razor in for a professional hone than replace a sliced up $50 Strop.

Razor care, I have some I’d say pure mineral oil that I can use to ensure that the blade takes as little water damage as possible.


To further my views, I’m wondering is there anything I can do that might help improve my stropping ways without actually having a strop and razor? Practice makes perfect, I’ve watched quite a few of the videos posted on SRP and can say I understand the proper way to hold a razor when stropping. But as to the finer points I’ll be trying blindly. I’d highly doubt that there is something even remotely similar to stropping, but asking can’t hurt.

Anything I’ve missed? Any suggestions for a newb?

Thanks in advance.

Welcome to SRP Alakuu

one of the razors sold already both seems to be good deals

A brush that works is all you need to start (luxury can be considered later)

strop choises hmm ruprazor the Filly is a good start or Illinois strop of ebay
SRD and some other more exspensive strops lets you order replacement leather
so the cost of wrecking it wont be much different

For soap id suggest Tabac (seems to be werry easy to use)
I belive it is cheapest on fragrancex.com but if your not in US the wait to get it can be long

Welcome....
Tell us what you shave with now.
That will tell us something about what you know
already.

If you are an electric guy switch to wet shaving as soon
as you can. Lathering with a brush and good soap is just
one of the skills 'lectric folk need to master. It is easy
and the least expensive part of the game.

I've never tried whippeddog's brushes, but imo, you should splurge on a good brush. It doesn't have to be $100 or more, but don't cut corners.

I have a Body Shop synthetic brush that is alright for the cost ($13). Maybe you might want to consider that. I kinda wished I did more research and got a TOBS synthetic brush instead. Regardless of whether you use a straight, safety or cartridge, a good brush and soap will stay with you for a long long time.

For soaps and creams, you'll need to experiment to see what works for you. There's no way around it. Creams are a little easier to lather so I would start with them first. Proraso is widely praised and cheap. I like it a lot so maybe start with that?

Looking at your links, it looks like the price isn't an issue. If you're willing to spend $60 on a razor then any round tip razor in the classifieds would do nicely.

So the decision to try out the world of SRs has been made. And I’ve done quite a lot of reading, watching, and thinking.
But to that end I still feel the views of others, especially those that know and understand the world I’m trying to jump into are more accurate than my educated guesses.

FWIW --

You've read enough.

Either razor would be fine. "Best soap" and "best brush" are subjective -- tastes differ, and you'll only find your preferences through experiment.

Mineral oil is a good idea.

The only practice for stropping is stropping, which is why your first strop should be an inexpensive one. [I have the "learning nicks" in my strop to support this . . . ]

It's time to get a razor, strop, brush, soap, and learn through experience.

Charles

PS -- you haven't mentioned getting a hone or strop. That will probably be next.

Personally I do not see much quality difference between different brands of soaps in any way. I would recommend that you buy soap depending on the aroma that you like in the soap.

Originally Posted by Alakuu

So…
Razors.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/classifieds/showproduct.php/product/8340/cat/3
or
http://straightrazorpalace.com/classifieds/showproduct.php/product/8182/cat/3

Leaning more towards the first one, it’s not a square blade and tad bit cheaper but the second I’d say is very decent for quality and price.

I'd also lean toward the first, I think the round tip is easier on beginners.

Shaving soaps/creams.
This is where I’ve been stuck on. I’ve read all over that one of the major requirements for a proper and quality shave is the brush and soap/cream. As to what is a good soap / cream I’ve been lost. So any suggestions as to something that would fit well would be appreciated. One thing that I have noticed is price wise there doesn’t seem to be that large of a difference. And if I find the world of SRs to be exactly what I want I can always buy a pricer razor, but soaps will be used, so buying something that will show me what a SR can do seems to be the better investment.

I've found KissMyFace shaving soap to be excellent, and is found in a lot of coops or natural food stores. Great lather, great fragrance, great price.

Brushes, I know that a full badger brush is idea, and other than that I’m not sure if there really is anything else I should be concerned about. I was thinking something from www.whippeddog.com would be cheap and probably just as good as one of the more expensive brushes.

I <3 Whipped dog. I purchased a tweezerman badger hair brush for 15 bucks to start out, and love it.

Preshave oils. They sound ideal. But again just like soaps/creams I haven’t found a easy way of choosing what would be the best decision.

Not really necessary imo.

Strops, I’m thinking something decently cheap, I might end up cutting it up for all I know. And in the end its cheaper to send the Razor in for a professional hone than replace a sliced up $50 Strop.

The filly. That is all.

Razor care, I have some I’d say pure mineral oil that I can use to ensure that the blade takes as little water damage as possible.

Good idea.

To further my views, I’m wondering is there anything I can do that might help improve my stropping ways without actually having a strop and razor? Practice makes perfect, I’ve watched quite a few of the videos posted on SRP and can say I understand the proper way to hold a razor when stropping. But as to the finer points I’ll be trying blindly. I’d highly doubt that there is something even remotely similar to stropping, but asking can’t hurt.

Practice with a butter knife until you no longer flip over the edge.

Anything I’ve missed? Any suggestions for a newb?

Relax and enjoy yourself.

Everything came in the mail today. Came home and was super excited. Shaved at night and probably will in the morning.

The razor was a 5/8 Keen Kutter from whippeddog.com Lovely little razor and man that sucker was sharp.
Used a Mama Bears shave soap, turkish coffee I believe was the name, great smell. Lathered up great. Though I really need to learn what a dry lather is and what a wet lather is...

Anyhoo the first shave. No nicks even. Had a dash of red for a second and then it went away. Just kinda chopped at it. I had been reading over the proper way to shave WTG and XTG and I had to say, that all went out the window. Also I find that my smaller hands have issues holding the razor. But just one pass and I have to say, it did better than my normal razor. Which that alone suprised me!

The dreaded first stropping is tommorrow. I took a pocket knife, (no edge on the thing really) and was attempting to figure out how the movement goes. And the lack of a spine makes it hard to tell if I'm keeping it flat.

Am I correct that the speed that I draw the blade on the strop needs to be quickly, but my turn over (time inbetween draws) doesn't actually have to be quick?

Also no matter how hard I pull on this cow hide it seems to angle just the slightest. Is this a issue? Or am I just over thinking things?

And to recap. Strop about 45 times leather. Make sure that I'm drawing spine first. The blade it to be as FLAT as possible. And apply little to no pressure.

Originally Posted by Alakuu

The dreaded first stropping is tommorrow. I took a pocket knife, (no edge on the thing really) and was attempting to figure out how the movement goes. And the lack of a spine makes it hard to tell if I'm keeping it flat.

Am I correct that the speed that I draw the blade on the strop needs to be quickly, but my turn over (time inbetween draws) doesn't actually have to be quick?

Also no matter how hard I pull on this cow hide it seems to angle just the slightest. Is this a issue? Or am I just over thinking things?

And to recap. Strop about 45 times leather. Make sure that I'm drawing spine first. The blade it to be as FLAT as possible. And apply little to no pressure.

Any Boker should do just fine.

FWIW:

1. It doesn't matter much (if at all) how fast you move the blade along the strop. Better to go slow and controlled, than trying to rush.

2. It doesn't matter _at all_ how much time the razor takes to "turn over" at the end of a stroke. Take your time doing the "flip".

3. Distinguish between "pressure on the spine" and "pressure on the edge".

You want firm contact between the spine and the strop; that pressure _will_ make the strop sag, a little bit. But not too much . . . <g>

You want _very little pressure_ on the edge. With too much pressure on the edge, the strop will bend as it passes over the edge, and bend the edge slightly, and you'll have a "rolled edge". That's trouble.

There has to be a _little pressure_ on the edge -- otherwise the strop will have no effect. But not much.

The blade should be as flat as possible

-- that is, both the spine and the edge should be touching the strop. DO NOT lift the spine while the edge is on the strop -- once again, you risk a rolled edge.

These things are harder to describe than they are to do. There's a very good video on razor flipping (on this site), but I don't know where it is. The "stropping Wiki" (which you've probably already read) is here:

Razor stropping - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Have fun! --
Charles

Stropping went suprising well. it is different than my old knife, but I do think doing that helped. Well the razor was just as sharp the second shave as the first, so no harm done?
On most of the pulls I'm getting the "sound" that has been expressed as what a proper draw should make on a few videos. No real nicks on the strop either. Though I really want to buy a 3-4" wide strop now .

In general second shave went just about as good as first. I nicked my upper lip. But that seems to be a rather hard place to shave as it is. Suprised that their is razor burn, but give it 10-20mins it actually goes away. And thats with no preshave treatment nor post shave treatment.

Now razors. I'm liking this 5/8 and it seems to do a good job, I'm thinking my next buy should be (after a better strop and different soaps) either a wedge or a extra hollow.
Any suggestions as wheither its better to go smaller or large than the 5/8? I plan on trying both ways.

And to I have to say. Straight Razor shaving. Its won me over. Heart and soul! A bit of bliss in the morning is just what I needed!