Thread: new straight shaver, first razor in the mail!

...Also, my girlfriend (the vegan) wants to start shaving with something other than a disposable but is afraid of a straight razor. I'm wondering what would be a good safety razor (DE razor?) for her to get started with and learn. This is for her legs, of course. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! ...

Try posting this in the Ladies' Forum. That's where the experts are.

Charles

When I started I got some practice using my brush and cream/soap while still shaving with my Mach 3. I wanted to test the lather and see if it was giving me a smooth shave and not drying out. Once I was confident with the lather, I picked up my straight and could focus on technique with out having to worry as much about the lather.

Good luck, stretch your skin a lot and take it slow.

Originally Posted by cpcohen1945

Try posting this in the Ladies' Forum. That's where the experts are.

Charles

I guess that's not just "a place for the lady's to talk" as it says? I didn't want to be an intruder.

Originally Posted by seandowling

So I bought my first set, the "sight unseen deal" from Larry over at whipped dog. A couple brushes from amazon and some vegan soaps from honeybeesoaps.com on their way too.

Now just waiting for it all to get here and to get started. Any advice? Things to avoid? Tips?

Also, my girlfriend (the vegan) wants to start shaving with something other than a disposable but is afraid of a straight razor. I'm wondering what would be a good safety razor (DE razor?) for her to get started with and learn. This is for her legs, of course. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Reading the Wiki on this site will be a great help to you.

You can also watch videos on youtube, but if you do don't take 1 single video as gospel and get as much info as possible so that you can sort the wheat from the chaff.

Because your GF is a vegan then you will need to make sure she has either a horse hair or synthetic bristle brush. Badger and Boar won't fit into her ethics. And as a newbie will want a closed comb DE rather than an open comb. Also if she gets an adjustable then make sure she starts at a low number 1st as there are quite a few people who have a bad experience with a DE because they start with a middle range number when they haven't even any experience with shaving with DEs.

I agree with all the advice given. Be patient and don't get discouraged when things go awry. It may take some time, but you will get it.

Originally Posted by jhenry

As for your girlfriend...I would recommend a low end Edwin Jagger or a Vintage Gillette Super Speed DE razor. EJ's are available from any number of online vendors who advertise here in the Vendor's Corner thread. They are both mild shavers. The Vintage Gillette can be obtained on ebay, but you need to be careful about paying too much for them.

I agree. Although, I would buy myself a blade sampler pack and here's why. Different blades perform differently for different people. People can tell you that this blade is great or that blade sucks, and that is probably true.......for them, but you never know what will work for you until you try it.

Ok so here are my 2 cents...
first sight unseen deal is a Newb's best bet. It will give you a great view of what wet shaving can be. Eventually you will, if you like it, buy more razors. You can say you wont, but you will. Biggest thing to remember is to stretch your skin and how to strop.

As for the DE, you cant really go wrong with the Merkur with a long handle.

Now as a former Vegan, I tried the whole vegan soap thing....Good luck with finding one that a) lathers let alone lathers well b) dosnt smell like dirt, or gym sock, or oil.

I was able to find one soap made for my local market that was vegan and you could shave with, but GIVE ME TALLOW ANYDAY!!!!!

again just my 2cents!

have a blast on your journey through wet shaving!

Originally Posted by seandowling

So I bought my first set, the "sight unseen deal" from Larry over at whipped dog. A couple brushes from amazon and some vegan soaps from honeybeesoaps.com on their way too.

Now just waiting for it all to get here and to get started. Any advice? Things to avoid? Tips?

Also, my girlfriend (the vegan) wants to start shaving with something other than a disposable but is afraid of a straight razor. I'm wondering what would be a good safety razor (DE razor?) for her to get started with and learn. This is for her legs, of course. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

First the razor will not need to be stropped for the first shave.

Next practice making a lather a couple times.
It will break in the brush and teach you a bit.
A good lather and shave prep is key....

DE razors are a good bet. Legs are a totally different
thing than whiskers. A DE blade you like may be wrong
for her so a selection is a good ting.

If she has never tried the Yellow handled BiC blades have
her try a small batch. They shave a lot like a DE and also
has a large opening that is easy to rinse clean. Rinsing
the razor clean is key no mater what she picks.

Lather for legs is also a challenge. There is a lady's corner
here. Co-author some questions there or have her make
her own account. A couple hints, one I recall is that
de-tangling hair conditioner makes a good shave cream for
shaving legs. The less expensive it is the better I am told
it works. A plastic basin and a shower/ bath seat sometimes
helps. The basin is to hold water to rinse the razor is
a help for some. Cleaning the razor, DE or tossable, as she
goes is important.

Originally Posted by richmondesi

Advice: take it slow, be patient with yourself, and enjoy your journey
Things to avoid: the faucet and your blood

Amen in the faucet. My second shave with my $80 razor and I chipped the tip on it. Had to send it out to be repaired so I won't slash my face up.

just a thought on the vegan soap... I tried a couple of different types of vegan shaving soaps (my girlfriend is vegan to ha ha), and I thought they were horrible. The only brand i can remember was called "herban cowboy". I think especially as a beginner making a good lather can make ALL the difference in your shaving experience. So basically I guess I would reccomend trying other non-vegan soaps as well just to see the comparison. Good luck. Cheers!

well the soap is due to arrive tomorrow but everything else is here... makes me really wanna get started but somehow i don't think that's such a good idea? my only other options would be shaving cream or non-shaving soaps.