Thread: My first straight razor

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

Jeremy,

A.F. BANNISTER & CO
Newark, New Jersey
ca 1884-1915

This info came fro here... http://www.uniclectica.com/misc/manuf.html

I'll go out on a limb and say yes you can shave.
I know that when I received my first razor from
Lynn I was still waiting for a strop. He said that
it would be ok to shave.


Terry

Should you strop immediately before each shave? Absolutely. However, given the possibility of damaging the edge of an assuredly shave ready razor by improper stropping technique (I'm assuming you've never done this before). I will go out on a limb and risk deserved flames from the other senior members around here, by suggesting that you attempt this first shave without stropping.

Would it be better/smoother if you had properly stropped first? Yes. However, I think it more important at this point in your development for you to experience an undamaged shave ready shave. After that you will have a basis for comparison so that if you inadvertently damage the edge while stropping (heaven forbid) you will know it immediately.

Good Luck,

Ed (donning his fire retardant boxers)

Jeremy,

Take you time and be mindful of that corner.
I'm sure that you will do just fine. I learned
to shave with a spike without any problem.
You can as well.


Terry

Thanks for the info guys. I'll give it a go tonight.

Jeremy

Jeremy,

I'm glad that was able to give you the info....
I do believe that I would wait on the strop
before attempting a second shave.

When you do strop for the first time though
take your time and go slow. Speed means
nothing. While you won't need to apply a
lot of pressure - a little pressure won't
hurt a thing. Make sure that the blade
remains in contact with the strop and
do not lift the spine.

Hope that I'm not repeating info that
you have heard before. I just want
you experience in this addictive world
of straights to be enjoyable.


Terry

Well I just finished my first straight shave. Don't know what to say other than I can tell I need a lot of practice. It is a bit more difficult than I imagined. I got a decent shave though. The main problem I ran into was that it was difficult to see what I was doing. My hand seemed to be in my line of sight a lot and I had trouble maneuvering to a point where I could see. I especially had trouble with my neck and chin. It also seemed that the razor caught a lot which I'm assuming has to do with my technique since everyone says Joe does great razors. My guess is that I didn't prep well enough. The catching was very noticable on the tip of my chin which has always been an annoying spot for me wet shaving. I only nicked my self a few times and had no problems that I can attribute to the razor's square tip. The nicks allowed me to experience the styptic pencil for the first time which stings a little but not too bad. The most sting I got was when I applied my after shave (Skin Bracer After Shave, trying to finish up whats left from electric shaving) which stung like hell. Oh and finally, my lather kept drying up which probably also has to do with inexperience.

All in all I would give this shave a rather neutral score, but I am still looking forward to my next one. Hopefully that strop gets here soon.

Jeremy

You might want to get two pencils and cross them like a razor and experiment a little to find the approaches that work for you. A couple of minutes practicing in front of a mirror with something that won't hurt you should help tremendously. As for the lather drying out, just stop and wet your brush and work the lather a bit, then continue on. With a little practice your shaves will speed up and you won't have either of these problems. It may also help to make a little wetter lather than you would for a DE shave, though. My straight razor shaves are as quick as my DE shaves, but I still prefer a little sloppier lather for the straight.

As for the catching, an insufficiently sharp razor doesn't really feel like "catching" but more like "pulling the hair out by the roots" - an overhoned razor can catch, but that doesn't sound like what you're describing. It's likely that this was due to the angle of the razor, the dry lather, insufficient stretching, or some combination of these.

"The main problem I ran into was that it was difficult to see what I was doing. My hand seemed to be in my line of sight a lot and I had trouble maneuvering to a point where I could see. "

Did you shave using only your dominant hand? Most people use both hands to shave, right hand for right half of face, and left hand for left half of face. You can then use your other hand to reach over your head and lift up on your sideburns to stretch out your cheeks. Try this and see if it improves your line of sight.

Don't be nervous about using your non-dominant hand, after all both hands will be equally awkward as you are just starting out. You will quickly get used to it.

I just wanted to add a note about stropping. I'm very new to SE shaving BTW. I got my razor honed by lynn and tried to shave without stropping. Went ok, but then stropped the next time....big improvement. Also, really worked on slowing down my stropping today focusing on the LIGHT contact of the blade on the leather (especially on the back stroke) to make sure everything is even and wow, another BIG difference!. I quickly realized this skill doesn't come overnight, I just need to slow down and focus/enjoy every aspect of the SE experience! Thanks again to all the pro's on here offering their advice. I believe it is signifigantly shortening my learning curve.....