Thread: First timer and his straight razor + gear

Hello folks, so I requested a straight razor for my 25th birthday and was delighted at receiving 2! I also got a strop and a brush/cream. I've taken some pics and will post them below.

I'm looking for some advice as to the quality of my gear and anything else that I may need.

My first razor: A Russian straight razor with a black plastic handle. I have no idea what the inscription says but it is stainless steel and in great condition. I believe my girlfriend purchased it off this site so I am under the impression that it is in ready-shave condition.




My second razor: A German straight razor with a tan plastic handle. The inscription on the blade reads "Good as Gold" and the maker is "Crown Razor Co Germany." It is not in ready-shave condition and needs honing as there is a nic in the blade. It also has some discoloration and I believe it is made of carbon steel.



My brush: a "Tweezerman." I think it's badger and am pretty sure it's "pure badger" (I checked out the wiki) as I doubt it is very expensive.


My cream: The Body Shop Shave Cream for Men. I'd really like to get a soap bar but I'm wondering if I should just use up the cream that I've got now - no need to waste it...


My strop: Courtesy of my girlfriend, it's brandy-new. I'm going to need to oil it, so I checked the wiki and I guess I'll just rub it a couple times a day and let the oils from my hand break it in. No need to buy strop oil?




So there you have it. All the necessities but kind of a hodgepodge collection - I know the strop is quality and the Russian razor looks excellent but I'm a bit skeptical of the German razor and my brush/cream. I'd appreciate some initial thoughts and any advice that may arrive with them.

Thanks for the time and an excellent forum - I look forward to being more involved here.

Cheers,
Rye

Hi and welcome to SRP.

Others will probably chime in and be able to answer your questions about your razors.
I will try to answer about the Cream and the brush.
The soap does not look like my Body shop cream(Macca Root) but if that is anything to go by, you have yourself a quality cream.
No need for soaps instead of creams. There are tons of people preferring a good cream to soap. I'm one of them
The brush, if it is badger as you say, will most likely be more than adequate for lathering. There are guys on here using badger, boar and synthetics. I think most prefer the various grades of badger, but the other options sure has a following here as well.

All in all, I would say that you are set for a good experience
Good luck with your venture in to the wet shaving world.

Wow thats a good looking razor, and brush, however i am a little concerned with your strop. I had a similar looking strop when i first tried using a straight razor. The problem was the leather was poor quality. Now i am not positive on it but if it ends up being a bad buy i would recommend the Filly strop, its like 20 bucks, its strong and i works well. ALSO you want a septic pen, cuz you will get a few nicks, nothing big but its a good thing to have. Also did you get a hone, or do you plan to get your razor professionally sharpened. Also i love that design in your razors scales

Thats it you've got the essentials. Now it's time to get that technique.

Take it slow, and read the forums a lot. There's a huge amount of useful information here, including the Wiki. Watch AFDavis's stropping video, it's linked as a sticky in the Stropping sub-forum. It will really help you understand what the razor and the fingers should be doing.

Congrats on all the new gear....

Looking forward to more posts, and some details of your first couple shaves.
Maxi

PS: If you update your avatar details to include your region/area, you may find a local member who can give you advice, or help you get that second razor honed.

Congratulations. Glad you will be joining us. Take it slow and easy. At first, try only shaving the sides of your face until you get really comfortable with the razor. Do lots of reading. This is an amazing site for learning.

Best wishes.

Very nice gifts and welcome. Your gf really did her homework!

That's a fine-looking kit, Rye-If you doubt that either of those razors is shave ready, send it off to one of the site's honemeisters to be sure (Gssixgun, Lynn, Hi_Bud_gl among others). Often someone on here will even offer to hone a new guy's razor to shave ready (still learning myself). As for the strop, yeah, just wipe it down with your palm everyday as you pass it. The Tweezerman brush will do fine, as mine still does, especially for cream.

Definitely take your time, read a lot of posts, watch a bunch of videos, and if it doesn't feel right, stop and clean up with your standby razor before doing serious damage; I stopped using the "clean-up
crutch after a couple of months, and haven't looked back. Good shaves are just a patient few weeks (at most months if you don't do it often) away. Welcome to the addiction-a year and a half into this, and I still get a kick out of the whole ritual. Who knew? Aaron

Hi Welcome to SRP. You some kind a Lucky Man to have such a wonderful half.
Russian Razor she bought from me. It is SHAVE READY.
Pleas read SRP for beginner section. if i find link i will post . i am sure someone will do so.
Try go slowly if you do have uncomfortable shave please stop. You are doing something wrong. Remember straight razor shave should be comfortable.
don't shave against the grain.
Usually leave your chin area alone early on.
Have a good soap and pre shave preparation.
At first make small strokes to find proper cutting angle. then use that angle and shave. if i am not mistaken your blade should be honed without tape.
Be patient and any questions let us know.
hope this helps.
gl.

There's nothing wrong with that strop. Try 30 laps on linen, then 100 or more on leather.

Don't get a "septic" pencil. Those are bad for you. Get a Styptic pencil instead.

Originally Posted by TheZ

Very nice gifts and welcome. Your gf really did her homework!

I'd marry that gal if I were you. That's some serious time and thought going into a setup like that (not to mention a fair amount of money).

Originally Posted by ace

There's nothing wrong with that strop. Try 30 laps on linen, then 100 or more on leather.

Don't get a "septic" pencil. Those are bad for you.

I don't own an Illinois strop, but I'm eyeing one for my next strop. I've read A LOT of very good reviews about them.

That second razor is gorgeous and just needs a little TLC to be a DFS. (Dang Fine Shaver)

Great setup...

Peace,