Thread: Newbee with a unique question

Another member here does not have an arm too, and has been shaving with a straight razor for many years. He has a system for stropping too. I will email him, giving him this link. If he is not out of town, or unavailable for some personal reason, I am sure he would like to give you some feedback.

But, because of him, I know that the answer is absolutely yes! You can do it.

"I'm your huckleberry", I was born with one arm and have been a straight razor user for about thirty years. Straight shaving, like being a professional trumpeter, tournament grade paddleball player, 209 average bowler and A ball baseball player is not very difficult to do if you have a plan. If I had to narrow it down to two things I would have to say quality lather and extremely sharp edges would be the items of paramount importance to my shaving. Since I don't stretch my skin while shaving (I can if I get creative but it's more trouble than it's worth) these two items, in addition to mapping out how you intend to shave and how to hold the straight razor to accomplish those strokes, are the items to consider as you proceed. Feel free to hit me via PM if you have any questions.

My strop. The money maker goes through the handle on the bottom.

C+Mon+&+Trey+Custom+Strop+002.JPG (image)

Originally Posted by Bayamontate

... being a professional trumpeter, tournament grade paddleball player, 209 average bowler and A ball baseball player ...

(Everyone, we're good friends. That's why I am about to abuse Ol Baya montate. Don't worry!)

While I can't do much with a trumpet except shine it, I would love to take you down at some of the competitive items you mention. One arm or not! Its just man vs man.

But, did you say you have a 209 bowling average? And, play A level baseball?

Maybe, I better cut my Texas swagger down to something a little closer to humility.

"It ain't braggin" if it's true," I'm down. I know you have lots of bowlings alley but handball/paddleball courts may be difficult to find in Texas.

If it makes you feel better, I suck at golf .

Originally Posted by Bayamontate

"I'm your huckleberry", I was born with one arm and have been a straight razor user for about thirty years. Straight shaving, like being a professional trumpeter, tournament grade paddleball player, 209 average bowler and A ball baseball player is not very difficult to do if you have a plan. If I had to narrow it down to two things I would have to say quality lather and extremely sharp edges would be the items of paramount importance to my shaving. Since I don't stretch my skin while shaving (I can if I get creative but it's more trouble than it's worth) these two items, in addition to mapping out how you intend to shave and how to hold the straight razor to accomplish those strokes, are the items to consider as you proceed. Feel free to hit me via PM if you have any questions.

Hey Bay, thanks for the info.

Just curious, what type of razor do you use i.e. size, shape etc.? I'm still trying to decide what to get. Also, what do you use for soap/cream? Anything special? You have a special techique in forming the lather?

I'm not much of a bowler or A Ball Player, but I have been shooting pool for 30 years. I can hold my own against the best of them. Though I don't use one now, but when I was younger I had a Prosthesis (Hook). I was then untouchable, because it was the perfect bridge. Now that I play without it, I still win most of the time, but at least they're not afraid to play me, thinking it's more fair. How they figure that I'm not sure.

Originally Posted by Bayamontate

My strop. The money maker goes through the handle on the bottom.

That's pretty much what I was thinking of doing. i.e. Rigging some kind of loop at the bottom to hold it with. I guess great minds think alike.

Nitro,

I like heavy ground, big Sheffield's but have nothing against hollow ground straight razors. Since I have three fingers on my right hand, heavier grinds help me get through a bit easier.

While I'm partial to P160, I like Cade, C&E. PdP, Cella, Proraso Green Tea/Aloe, and European creams. I find shave oil to be a must and my lather to be more liquid than usually (a comfortable median with cushion and easier glide.) I use a scuttle so I can add water as needed. I can shoot some pool too Bro, put the ball anywhere near the edge of the table and you're toast, if not I tape a 1 inch section of a sipping straw and it's on.

I had a Prosthesis made every two years since 5 years of age until I was 13 that I used it only twice in my life, once to beat the shit of a guy in my neighborhood who needed a not so subtle hint to leave me alone and the second was when I put the faux rubber five finger hand in the punch bowl during my senior prom. The Prosthesis, while well intended, just got in the way.

I'm thinking about getting a 5/8" half hollow grind. From what I read that seems to be a popular choice for beginners. Not sure what brand though. BTW, what is Shave Oil? I've read about soap and cream, but not Shave Oil.

Yeah, I had a hook until I was 20 years old. The only three things it came in handy (no pun intended) for was typing, riding a bike and shooting pool. Most of the time it just got in the way. Not to mention it was very uncomfortable.

Pre-shave oil is applied before you apply lather to assist with glide, essential if you don't stretch your skin while shaving in my opinion.

Prosthetics have come a long from the nylon straps joined by the three inch iron O ring on the back.