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

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