My new kit

The kit has arrived. Ford & Medley '333' razor, alum block, strop, shaving cream and brush. I've also purchased a steel bowl from Ikea not pictured (it was nice and cheap LINKY).

http://www.priteshpatel.co.uk/BMW530d/Razor1.jpg

http://www.priteshpatel.co.uk/BMW530d/Razor2.jpg

I will give it a go at the weekend and take it nice and easy...

I know the brush is not all that but that was the best I could find without going all crazy on price, unless anyone here can recommend something else. This was only £10 from Boots.

Looks like a great starter kit. While a nicer brush is, well, nice, the one you have will serve just fine. Practice lathering with it before you start since good lather is very important.

Biggest question, has your razor been honed to shave ready? Very important.

Other than that, go slow, start in small steps (cheeks WTG only at first), watch the pressure and have fun. Stick with it and it will all fall in place in no time.

Charlie

That is the big question is that beautiful razor shave ready. If it is little to no pressure or you will A: slice and dice your face or more likely B: Give yourself a wicked case of razor rash.
Good luck with that first shave.

Great starter kit. Don't worry to much about Gavin the best brush for now. Just learn how to use it first. And like every one says start slow very slow. Learn from my mistake I have a few battle scars to show for my ignorance of not wanting to follow instruction lol

Thank you everyone for the kind words and advise. Creating the lather is going to be fun, i've been watching some youtube videos and some make it look so easy.

Yes the razor has been horned and is shave ready. The razor is 80+ years old which has been refurbished polished and made ready to shave. I plan on going easy with the razor. Previously have shaved with a shavette which I didnt find too much of an issue with but never the less I still have scars from it (a lovely big one down my chin).

I the shaving cream any good? Its by Taylors of Old Bond Street, UK.

Looks like a really nice kit. What is that small tube in the box with your brush?

@asj1991 - That small tube is shaving cream - I dont think I will use that jst yet. Once I've had a few shaves and getting comfortable with it I may then give that cream a go.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pritesh

@asj1991 - That small tube is shaving cream - I dont think I will use that jst yet. Once I've had a few shaves and getting comfortable with it I may then give that cream a go.

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Ahhh that's what it is! Let us know how the first shave goes, looks like a nice razor!

Very nice kit. You should do well with it.

One thing to add, when you mix your lather, note that the amount of air in it is as important as the amount of water in it. I say this because when I first started, I was undermixing the lather frequently. If the lather does not rinse from your blade easily, it is either too dry or not enough air.

Cheers and good luck.

Alembic

Very nice start, I am jealous. Hope you enjoy this great addiction we all have.

Enjoy!
I think it is a good one kit for starters.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alembic

Very nice kit. You should do well with it.

One thing to add, when you mix your lather, note that the amount of air in it is as important as the amount of water in it. I say this because when I first started, I was undermixing the lather frequently. If the lather does not rinse from your blade easily, it is either too dry or not enough air.

Cheers and good luck.

Alembic

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What is the best way to make lather? How much cream should I be using? I had a little go last night and with my first attempt the cream lathered up well but the more i mixed it, it quickly disappeared. Second time round it was better but nothing to the levels of lather created from the videos posted on youtube.

Also is it better to allow the excess lather to dry out in the bowl for the next use or just wash it away?

Nice Kit and thanks for sharing. Enjoy the learning curve and have fun! SRP is here for you!

Pabster

A very nice starter kit indeed.

Remember to add enough water to your cream as well as mixing for a good long while to add air to your lather.

The rule of thumb in making lather is: When you think you've added enough water to your shaving cream, add a little more.

When I make my lather i find if i add a little more water the lather seems to all disappear on me. Is there any hard and fast rules to follow? Or is it just the shaving cream I have and the water (hard) in my area?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pritesh

When I make my lather i find if i add a little more water the lather seems to all disappear on me. Is there any hard and fast rules to follow? Or is it just the shaving cream I have and the water (hard) in my area?

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How much cream are you using?
Soak your brush, shake it a few times so it's not completely wet. Use about a almond sized dollop, maybe a bit more.

I am using a pea sized dollop of cream. How wet should the brush be? I would take the brush out after being soaked and shake it once.