Thread: The Noob Chronicles

Awesome to hear. I am enjoying it to the fullest, and I know that it can only get better. The nicks are not bad, honestly I don't even realize they happen, just see some blood welling up on your skin (minus the ear nicks, they effing hurt!).
Take your time, and definitely go with switching hands from the get go. Best of luck to you!
~Lefty

Thanks. Lol will try to avoid the ear nicks and try switching hands, always a good idea to form good habits from the start.

Last two shaves I got the straight out and chickened out thinking to myself that I probably need to read up more and watch some more videos, but tomorrow is d-day and hopefully all goes well.

Hope Your shaves are injury free and bbs.

Originally Posted by LeftStanding

... I have been wanting to shave straight razor style ever since I saw my first boss do it, just never even knew where to start...
~Lefty

Perhaps by asking for some tips from that boss.

Originally Posted by reefer

Thanks. Lol will try to avoid the ear nicks and try switching hands, always a good idea to form good habits from the start.

Last two shaves I got the straight out and chickened out thinking to myself that I probably need to read up more and watch some more videos, but tomorrow is d-day and hopefully all goes well.

Hope Your shaves are injury free and bbs.

You'll be 'right Reefer. Just, ah, stay off the reefer till afterwards...


Mick

This was before I even had anything to shave. I worked at a pet shop when I was a Freshman in Highschool. He had a straight razor set in the bathroom in the back, and when I asked he said it was the only way to shave. When I hit shaving age I asked for a straight for my birthday, my Dad just laughed. lol. That kind of killed that one... till now.
@Reefer... I think he has a point. ^^
By the way, my face is still ueber smooth, and I am getting worried there won't be anything to shave tomorrow.
~Lefty

Originally Posted by LeftStanding

Shave 4:

First morning shave. Woke up while the house was still quiet and took a nice long hot shower. Stole away to my mini-shave den and got to lathering.
Stropping feels a lot better. Still taking it slow though. Wish my second razor would arrive so that I could have something to compare to during this learning curve.
Played around with lathering more today, seemed like a nice way to burn a little of the early Saturday morning dawn. Needless to say I was definitely a good stand in for Santa Claus this morning.
The melding of mind and razor continues. I feel as though I am really getting the hang of this. I'm really enjoying every part of the learning/shaving process. I mean seriously, when is the last time a soldier shaved on his day off, right? I might have gotten a little carried away and went with a XTG second pass. My face is now super smooth and very happy. Even got a couple extra kisses from the wife, though she made it quite clear that I am a nerd.
What a great start to a weekend. Thanks for all the comments and help (here and other posts). I have been wanting to shave straight razor style ever since I saw my first boss do it, just never even knew where to start. Have to say it's mainly due to SRP that I feel well on my way.
Excited about shaving, lol, who would have thought.
~Lefty

From one soldier to another I can definately understand!!!!
BTW I got the "Dork"reference from SWMBO!!

Shave 5: Where'd it go?!

Today I tried the face lather method. I am liking it in contrast to having my lather go cold. Stropping feels better and better every time. I am starting to feel like I am having a good effect on the razor, vs a negative one. Only time will really tell.
WTG pass, and whiskers are just disappearing. Feeling like a smooth operator. Only one nick (above my lip, every time). The confidence is growing, and as it does the shave just gets better and better!
XTG pass, still needing some work. I think it has a lot to do with confidence of stroke, but I am getting what I can best describe as a bounce of the razor. It seems to try and skip across my skin. This is slightly frustrating, though whenever this happens I throw a little extra lather on, take a deep breath, and try to stretch the skin better.
Result: so stinking smooth that I am stroking my face between typing sentences. All I can think is; if it gets better than this they will have to send a rescue team to pull me out of the bathroom.
Had myself some, I think you call it 'RAD'? last night. Picked up a beautiful beast off of the classifieds. I believe it was a W&B French tip 7/8. Twas gorgeousness is all I know. So regardless of where in the USPS my second razor is, I will have a comparison razor to check sharpness on. Also something to work up to shaving with (can't wait, can't wait... did I say I can't wait?)
Beautiful night in Germany. After I spanked some aftershave on my super smooth mug I rewarded myself with Riesling and some Cavendish on the balcony.
Good times
~Lefty

That skipping you mention my be the result of too dry a lather. Try adding a little bit more water to the mix. I face lather all the time, and when I find the lather too dry I just dribble a bit more on the brush from my cupped hand and go at it again.
Why wait to build up to that 7/8 W&B? I love my wide bladed razors more than any of my others...Well anything 6/8 and above is good, but I turn more often to my Wosty 13/16 and my OCD 8/8 than any of the other CT's. They're all great shavers regardless of the blade width, but I just like big toys better .


Mick

Nice read here, having just gone through my first 30 or so shaves. Haven't shaved the moustache area or my sideburns yet, and won't be for quite a while (although my girlfriend keeps complaining about the horseshoe in my face :P), so I'm saving some shaving classes, including some very awesome nicks and blood stained towels, for later on.

About the cold lather in a bowl: that is why many shavers use a scuttle. I just use a dessert bowl with boiling/very hot tap water, which I replenish once or twice during my shave, and a large round coffee mug that fits snugly into the bowl with hot water. I also soak my brush in the same hot hot hot water during passes, same refilling there. It works, nice warm lather throughout the shave and it saves you from paying €70 for a good scuttle.

Again, nice reading, and remember: no pain, no gain; no blood, no fun. That's my motto and I'm sticking with it

I hear you on the scuttle. Actually I have been on the hunt for one. There are some very nice ones out there, but I, can't believe I am saying this about straight shaving, I think they are too pricey. I know, I know. Straight shavers pay the $40 shipping fee on the $45 perfect shaving soap etc. Though I saw an awesome thread where someone took a double walled 14oz steel bowl. Placed 2 holes in the top, and used that as a scuttle. I think I am going to go that way. Also I have some great ideas I think I am going to try for the scuttle. More along the lines of a thermos type design, with a vacuum surrounded water chamber, to really keep the heat steady. Reason being I think if you can get a good start temp, and hold it for a long time, you won't have to scald your lather from the start to have good temp lather later in the shave. If I do find the magic scuttle I will be sure to post my findings.
Another good tip: If you get blood on your towel just soak it in some hydrogen peroxide for 5 minutes before throwing it in the wash. Cleans up nice.
Best of luck to you!
~Lefty

Reefer,
I'm assuming you read Lynn's shaving advice? He suggests doing a little bit each day and gradually adding more to each shave so you can build up your technique and confidence. Been there, done that.
All my best to you and many great shaves to come your way.
Patrick