Thread: The Noob Chronicle - My Straight Razor Experience

The Straight Road - Update
Well, it's been over a month since shave number 100 and things are motoring along. With summer being so busy, I haven't had time to shave as often and I haven't had time to finish a couple of my projects that are sitting in the "to-do" bin. I would like to finalize my Bow Razor, as it really is looking good after Dllandry put it in the tumbler for me. I also received a piece of bone for a wedge, this from Maxi, so I might try my hand at doing that, though fitting a wedge by hand seems a daunting process to me after being spoiled by my use of Maxi's shop.

As far as the shaves, they continue to go well. I have managed, for the most part, to avoid nicks and cuts, though I did get myself the other day when I was trying to rush my shave (very, very bad idea). My technique continues to improve as time goes by. One thing I can tell you new guys out there is, number one hundred is just the first step. A lot of what I've been told says that the next hundred are even better. But really, as time goes by and you train yourself, your muscles and your touch, then the shaves continually improve until one day you get a "wow" moment. I've had several of these over the course of my first 10 months with a straight razor, but I still think there is a lot of improvement left for me, which is nice, because it makes it fun.

My other piece of advice is to stick with it! There are ups and downs, but in the long run, this now feels like the most natural way to shave for me. When I get around to finishing that Bow, I'll be sure to post some pics.

Cheers,

Jack

No update on the bundle in the oven Jack???

Originally Posted by JoeSomebody

No update on the bundle in the oven Jack???

All is well. Mom is in great health (thankfully) and the little guy is due August 21st. We are trying to enjoy sleeping full nights as much as we can. Blasting the AC so SWMBO can be comfortable. I'll be sure to post a pic or two of Jr. when he gets here

The Straight Road - Another Update

We're getting down to the final countdown here. Any time in the next couple of weeks we'll see the birth of our new son!

I have been continuing with my somewhat reduced rotation of razors as I find my way from just learning to use any straight razor to learning which type of blade appeals to me the most. I've been more happy with hollow grinds than the heavier blades. I've also offloaded a few hones and have decided to just learn the ins and outs of my Nortons and then my coticule and Chinese natural. Maybe at some point, I'll get another finisher, but for now, things are good with those. I am also still keen to try the lapping films, though I haven't got around to ordering them yet. I've also refused to buy any further soft products until I use up some of the ones I have in my den. I still have tons of samples I haven't gone through yet, never mind all the full-sized products in there! The summer has been a bit slow for razor-related activity in terms of restoration, as weekends tend to be devoted to other pursuits and weeknights are usually busy with daughter-related activity.

Things sort of really hit home last night when, after spending some time cursing and swearing, I finally got the crib/playpen/changetable/bassinet thing set up in our bedroom. Just seeing that there, where the little guy is going to be spending a lot of his first few months of life, seemed to bring things into focus even more. Anyway, when I get some pics and some news on the little guy, I'll be sure to post some here. My shaving rotation is pretty steady at every two days, with weekends sometimes involving an extra day off. I should do a check-in every once in a while with a shave write-up to compare to my early days. It's fun to look back and read about how I stumbled through the first few shaves compared to how natural things feel now. Just the other day, in a fit of temporary insanity, I pulled out the Fusion. Despite lathering up with some nice products and doing a full prep, I got irritation, razor burn and a bad shave. Even the DE doesn't seem to do the trick for me anymore and I am more inclined to skip a shave than have one with anything other than one of my straights. Also, the king of all my straights in terms of smooth, close and comfortable shaves seems to be the Nagamasa kamisori, which I often use for little touch-ups even when I've done the majority of the shave with another razor. That thing is just super sharp and easy to handle with the new wrapping I put on it.

Anyway, hope you are all enjoying your summer and hopefully we'll have some good news in short order with a new passenger on The Straight Road!

Cheers,

Jack

Jack,
Good to hear from you. And glad to hear all is well with your new son getting ready to come into the world. Keep us posted!
Really makes you know what should be important.

Jack....

I have enjoyed your journal....

If you do not have a journal of your life with your family
give it a go. In 25-30 years it will make a fine read.
It need not be a public journal.... perhaps should not be.

Originally Posted by niftyshaving

Jack....

I have enjoyed your journal....

If you do not have a journal of your life with your family
give it a go. In 25-30 years it will make a fine read.
It need not be a public journal.... perhaps should not be.

That's an interesting proposition. I don't usually keep a journal, but it might be interesting to read later in life, you're right. Food for thought, thanks

Heading to the hospital.