Waiting for first razor

Hi everybody

What a nice site is this. There are lots of tons informations and advice.

I am a new member and also this is my first post at the blog. One of the ebay seller suggested me to join the forum when I bought my straight razor from him.

Guys, I bought my first straight razor last 2 days ago from ebay, it shipped and probably I can have it on Friday. It is a "James Barlow & Sons, Echo, Sheffield", has a 5/8 hallow ground blade. And it is shave ready.

Guys, I am excited and also little bit worry. Is there any chance,probability that I will cut or nick my face? I don't have any experience shavign with straight razor.

Thanks
Here is the my picture of my first straight razor

Hi,

You may get a nick, but so what? you are unlikely to cut yourself badly, you will be way too cautious to do that, so don't worry and enjoy the experience.

Welcome....
If it is shave ready as stated lather your face rinse the
blade under hot tap water and shave the easy bits.

You will need to strop the razor after a couple shaves
and before every shave there after. When you do strop
the razor strop slow and smooth.

There is a Wiki link (top of this page) that has good beginner hints.

Welcome and congrats, I suggest reading all you can in the coming days as you will find a lot of useful info to help get you through your first shave. I too am new to all this and have spent the last few weeks preparing for my first shave which coincidentally was today. Trust me had I not read a much as I did and asked a many questions I doubt my first would have gone so smoothly. Had I not gotten over confident and tried to shave more than I should have I doubt I would have even finished with a nic butt I was having so much fun I went a little to far and resulted in two very minor nicks but other than that it was great. So word to the wise follow these guys suggestions and you'll be fine even if you do end up with a nic no worries you won't feel them till after. No one is perfect so you are bound to get one from time to time but even the masters I'm sure get one now and then. So don't let it discourage you it's all part of the learning experience. Good luck I'm sure you'll find it to be a very rewarding experience as I have.

Welcome to SRP mate.
The only time you have to worry about a little blood is when it is spraying on the mirror - anything else is minor.
Congratulations on getting a shave ready razor for your first one and finding a seller that realises what a great resource this site is for straight shavers.
If there is one piece of advice I would give you it would be to read the sticky at the top of this section and have confidence in your own abilities.
The only times that I have cut myself is when I have been tentative - except yesterday when SWMBO was talking to me while I was shaving and I lost concentration for a moment - but that's another story.

Above all else - hang on and enjoy the ride.

Hello Friend

Im new to straight shaving aswell. I have been straight shaving for 5-6 weeks only, however I am now starting to get some really close shaves...
I will say to you what was said to me. Just remember the BASICS... Once you have done that, you must then use them when you shave.

My first two weeks of shaving were good but not great. But of course after two weeks only I didnt expect it to be... It wasnt untill the 4 week mark that I realised I wasnt in any way stretching my skin. I was recalling every basic before every shave, but was not implementing them all... Follow what the guys above have said. The veteran shavers upon this site are a wealth of knowledge. Lastly within the basic rules of straight shaving, pressure / force is said to not be needed. This 100% correct. I turned such a big corner when learning that less pressure on the blade is more shave on the face... Please lets us know how it goes... GOOD LUCK!

It seems to me, limited experience that I have, that I usually am exerting a bit of pressure on my face each time I have nicked myself.

I just started the other day and my problems cutting myself have been when the skin wasn't pulled tight or when I went over a zit. So just fallow a proper prep and fallow all the steps when shaving. Don't rush yourself, take your time and you will be fine.

+1 to everything that has been said. If you are worried about nicking yourself, concentrate on the basics. Also, proper stretching will help avoid nicks, as you will decrease the number of folds and bumps to nick yourself on. Just take it slow, dont give up, and have fun and you will be fine! Be sure to let us know how it goes!

Hello friends
I thank everybody seperately for your nice advice. I print out some important stuffs and read them on subway:) Finally, today I recieved my razor that is good condition as mentioned by seller, and did a little little smooth pass on my arm hair. It cut off the hair. I believe it ll work on my face:)
However, I have to wait a several more days to have first experience because still I didn't recieve my leather strop yet.
No more Gillete Fussion 5 blades.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by recepcaliskan

Hello friends
I thank everybody seperately for your nice advice. I print out some important stuffs and read them on subway:) Finally, today I recieved my razor that is good condition as mentioned by seller, and did a little little smooth pass on my arm hair. It cut off the hair. I believe it ll work on my face:)
However, I have to wait a several more days to have first experience because still I didn't recieve my leather strop yet.
No more Gillete Fussion 5 blades.

---

Do recall: no stropping for the first shave from a shave ready razor.
You do not need to strop the razor, stropping has already been done.
Stropping is often followed by a light coat of oil to prevent rust. So,
lather well, take your time, rinse the blade under hot tap
water and shave in a systematic manner.

Too often (1 in 20+/-) novices dull the edge of a well honed
razor by stropping with great flourish and vigor like the guys
in the movies do. After one, two or even three shaves, strop smoothly
and deliberately and your razor will be fine.

Shaving with an open blade razor takes practice.
There is no shame in finishing the difficult bits of
your face with a tossable like a yellow handle BiC.
This is especially so when you are late and want to
rush your shave for what ever reason.

Gave my self the first shave today and it went well no nic's or anything ! My advise is... Pre shave prep! all you need to know about it is her on SRP . Good luck and Good Shaving!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by niftyshaving

Do recall: no stropping for the first shave from a shave ready razor.
You do not need to strop the razor, stropping has already been done.
Stropping is often followed by a light coat of oil to prevent rust. So,
lather well, take your time, rinse the blade under hot tap
water and shave in a systematic manner.

Too often (1 in 20+/-) novices dull the edge of a well honed
razor by stropping with great flourish and vigor like the guys
in the movies do. After one, two or even three shaves, strop smoothly
and deliberately and your razor will be fine.

Shaving with an open blade razor takes practice.
There is no shame in finishing the difficult bits of
your face with a tossable like a yellow handle BiC.
This is especially so when you are late and want to
rush your shave for what ever reason.

---

Thanks niftyshaving, I didnt know it, so I can strart my first shaving this morning

Welcome mate

I have only been on board for a few weeks now myself so real world experience and therefore advice is limited. I can say to ask questions, everyone is very friendly and above all enjoy your str8 shaving journey!!