Thread: My first straight razor

Originally Posted by 13th_stage

I just returned from the mail box happy to have found my new razor from Joe. I am very happy with the speed of his order processing. It is an A. F. Bannister & Co. Spike Point. If anyone has any info on this razor company I would be interested to hear. I also have a question. I haven't received my strop yet and I am wondering if when Joe says "Shave Ready" does it mean that I can get away without stropping for the first shave? I suspect it does since the whole reason for a shave ready razor is to set the bar for future shaves, but I wanted to check. Today is my day off so it would be perfect to be able to shave with it today.

Jeremy

I remember my first shave with a straight!! By all means go for it!!

When my first arrived in the mail I did not have a strop and it was straight from Classic Shaving. I got through it okay. It was not until later that I sent it to Lynn to get honed. I learned so much about that razor because I shaved with it out of the box without having a truly keen hone. It gave me something to compare to at least.

You will be okay for a short time if you shave while you are waiting for your strop, but you should get one fairly quickly. Stropping before and after shaving will not only greatly improve your shaving experience, it iwll increase the length of time between honings and hence the life of the blade.

Take your time learning to shave with your new razor and remember we were all there once upon a time. Heck, I still feel like that when any razor comes in the mail.

LOL


Cheers!

CS

Sorry, it has been a while since I have been on here to update on my progress. My second and each successive shave after have gone progressively better. My strop arrived the next day so I was able to strop for my second shave. I was amazed at the difference it seemed to make, but I might have just done better technique wise. I don't attribute any of my initial difficulties to the actual razor, but to my technique. I wanted to make sure that was clear. Anyway, gotta go.

Jeremy