Thread: 'newbie' signing in

Hi all, I'm a 29-year old Belgian (Antwerp to be exact) male, been shaving since my 15-16th year and Mach3 was my big revelation (still is my preferred razor), however it never gave me satisfaction nor a decent smooth shave to my likings (still have to shave twice a day if I want it smooth :/ )

So, in search of a better way to shave, I stumbled on all your wonderful sites and well, while I didn't knew these razors still existed (last time I saw one was an old one with the handle broken in an old toolbox of my father when I was 9 ) , being thoroughly victimised by the incessant Gilette-Wilkinson brainwashing and the non-existence of choice in all mens-ware stores, I sure am glad that I can still 'go back to the roots' and hopefully enjoy a much better shave.

currently I bought myself a beginners badger brush from shavemac.de as well as soaps and a nice cup and stand for the brush (given the fact that my bathroom is very tiny, these seemed an excellent choice), so that, in attendum of the razor, I can already learn myself to make lather and apply/use it with my currently used M3. (sorry if this comes over as heresy to some of you but you'll just have to deal with it. )

So currently I still need strops and (a) razor(s), as well as some other things no doubt, suggestions would most definately be welcomed. If possible I'd like to purchase a razor from one of you honemeisters so that I know that I'll get a decent one.

My big *but...* is the following: ever since my 16th I've been a beard-man. I've had various kinds of beard types from goatees to full beards though since about 6 years now I do trim them all down to 1-3 mm depending on wanted look & mood (to get that more stubbly manly look mostly, ohlala ) So anyway at times I do need to shave *between* regions where I do keep hair e.g. a soulpatch within a full beard or a ringbeard, so I'd need a razor that I can use for these finer jobs that will accomplish that (do keep in mind that fine is relative given that I use an M3 for this job right now) . The question is: does this call for a spiked point or would a rounded point razor be fine?

Anyway, nice to get to know all of you, thank you for the reviews and helpful threads you posted here and on other sites that I've been reading so far. Any and all info you can give will be very much appreciated.

Thank you.

Harold

PS one of the main reasons of going towards 'lesser' amount of blades for me is that I tried the wilkinson quattro and it just tore up my face, at least with the M3 it only makes my face really sore the second shave.

Hi Harold,

Welcome to the forum.....

For a razor and strop kit check out
www.thewellshavedgentleman.com

This is the site of forum member
Tony Miller, he sells first rate
strops and shave ready Dovo straights.

For a vintage blade check out

www.billysblades.com
This is the site of forum member
Bill Ellis (urleebird ) He has some
really great shave ready razors

or...http://shop.writerferret.com/

This is Joe Chandler another forum member
who sells vintage shave ready razors.


Hope this helps.....


Terry

The smaller blades sizes like 4/8 would be perfect for a job like this. Many of the razors in this size come in a french point which is like half of a round point, and offers the precision of a spike tip without the risk. They look like this (9/16 french point).

Edit: There is a new 4/8 french point revisor on John Crowley's store.

Welcome aboard Harold. You may also want to check out Bill Ellis' shop. He has some spike-points in the 5/8 range http://www.billysblades.com/Entry%20Level%20Razors.htm for $45 (approx) a pop. Bill definitely knows how to hone'em, just ask Josh (JLStorm) As for strops, someone already mentioned Tony's shop as THE place to get'em. Good luck, enjoy and look into the coticules, as they'd be a local resource for you.

what I was wondering about: given that there seems to be a much wider variety of choice in the 5/8 range would the 4/8 really be a better choice or could I do just as well with a 5/8?

thx

I'll look into those 'belgian stones' but honestly I had never heard about them before.

Every choice is a compromise. The 4/8ths are a bit better at trimming and edging, the 5/8ths are a bit better at general shaving duties. It's up to you. I'd get one of both.

Harold, the difference in width between a 4/8 and a 5/8 isn't all that significant. Actually for precise work, I'd worry more about the length of the blade. A DD Dwarf may be a good idea (I think X was selling one but I don't know if he sold it or not). A good coticule will put that final polish on your edge and make it sharper than had you gone with the Norton 4/8k, which is the most common hone used here, especially for restoring older blades.

ok, so I just bought me that 4/8 french point revisor. (it does look like a really nice blade and I tend to trust my gut when it says something's right), let's hope my gut doesn't gut me first of course )

next I'll be looking into strops: I'm thinking wellshaved gentleman Heirloom #3 Standard Hanging Strop at first, together with a pre-pasted 4 sided paddle strop? That way I do have as much of a regular hanging strop as possible but should I butcher it, then it's not too much money down the drain, compared to those higher end models. (the pre-pasted paddle strop since I certainly won't be honing anytime soon)

Does this seem like a correct choice to you guys? Thx for the advice so far.

Harold

edit: also is there some place where you can buy a little box to put your razor in or something? :|

Welcome Aboard Harlod.

I hope your experience here will be enjoyable. I know that even with myself just starting out it has been a blast to look through here and talk with people. Whether it be my honing lesson on video with Randy, to talking with Simon in Scotland about strop and seeing his on video, or talking with Ilija who lives down the street from my work. There are many people around this forum that have a HUGE amount of information (almost too much to listen to in one sitting especially at the start)

But I hope you stick with it and enjoy the calmness that this should hopefully bring to your shaving needs.

Harold,

The #3 hanging strop should be just fine.
I seriously doubt though that you will do
any serious damage while learning to strop.

As far as the pasted strop, may as well order
it now, but it will be some time before you
actually need it.

When you get your stuff and begin to strop,
go slow, take your time. Speed is not a factor.

I wish you luck. I'm sure that you will do fine
with your new found hobby......


Terry