Thread: Proceed to checkout.... anything else?

+2 on the Thayer's Witch Hazel... I prefer the Unscented with Aloe, and
+1 on the alum block

Immediately after the shave, a cold water rinse with the cold wet alum block rubbed over the entire shave area provides that feedback of where you went smooth and were you need to pay more attention. Especially when starting out. When the alum block stops stinging you know you've got your technique pretty much down.

Let the alum block coating dry a bit... give the weepers time to stop... then splash on the witch hazel... finish up with the aftershave du jour. After time, drop the alum block and just use the WH.

Thanks for all your input!

I am in the position now with my equipment to get started!

All the info here!... much appreciated

Wow your loaded up and ready to shoot. Welcome! I'm curious to know what your cheap practice razor is. I really can't add anything to this other than don't forget hot towels for the face. I recently bought some micro fiber shave towels at my local barber supply. I fill the basin in the bath with hot, hot water, drop the towel in and shower. These things hold a ton of water and get very hot. I apply to face, then dunk a couple more times and off we go. Please post your first shave experience.

[QUOTE=baldie;742941]
"Another cheaper straight razor to practice with." Absent that, grab a butter knife and practice with it on your strop.

Now that's a great idea!

Will start with that immediately. After reading a lot of threads I am a little concerned at taking the edge of my beloved Bismark... perhaps too concerned!

A good way at getting the wrist action going though.

Can you screw up the edge on a strop in the initial learning stages to have to get the razor honed again?... or can you recover??

Cheers!

A good practice method that some recommend is using a piece of newspaper to practice your stropping. Cut a strip of newspaper, if your pulling to hard on the paper it will rip and if you cut it you may need to work on rolling.