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

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!

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

Is this the first time you are attempting wet shaving? What razor did you get? Is it shave ready? Have you generated lather before? If this is the first time you are generating lather by your self, please watch the youtube videos about generating lather. Please read the Wiki section here about shaving and razor maintenance. Keep asking questions. And last of all be patient. One last thing..that is if you haven't got an alum block or septic stick get one.

I've been shaving with one of those gillete fusions and shaving cream for years. as for proper shaving, the straight razor, soap, and brushes are all in the mail. so no, i haven't lathered yet. yes, i believe the razor will be shave ready. that's the idea i got from the deal that they offer at whippeddog.com. i own a couple styptic pens, but i hadn't heard of an aluminum block until i found this site. i'll have to look into them.

avoid the faucet... is that meant as avoid the faucet with the razor?

Yep, the faucet is not your razor's best friend.

+++1 on the previous advice. Take it slow. Be patient. Start out shaving one side of your face, focusing on technique--that is the correct blade angle. Then progress to both sides of your face. Lastly begin shaving your chin and neck, which are the most difficult parts of a face to shave.

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 would also recommend getting some Gillette 7 O'clock yellow or blue de razor blades for your girlfriend's DE razor.

First thing you want to do is learn to do beard prep and lathering. Since you have been Creams that comes in cans, you are not used to generating lather. As the others have already said take it slowly. Remember in the beginning your shave may be not as good as your current razor. Over time you will develop correct angle and muscle memory to get a really good shave. So please be patient. Remember it is a very good idea to strop your razor before and after your shave.
Good Luck and keep us appraised.

The Merkur 34c HD is a great razor to start with. However, being a guy, I am not familiar with female version of merkur razors. To my knowledge they are well made and work well. The 34C HD is a great razor that I recommend for someone new to start DE shaving with. It is a fairly heavy razor with good grip and will not slip even when she is shaving in the water.

The whipped dog razors are indeed shave ready (the sight unseen deal was my first as well) The thing with larry to keep in mind is that if you don't like the razor he sends you, you can request another for the price of re-honing the one you send back (13 bucks I think) but either way, he sells a good product

I am not familiar with the soaps you are referencing, but I would recommend practice lathering once you get them before you shave with them just so you can feel what's up..

As for the shaves, don't expect a great shave your first few times out, it takes something like 15 - 100 shaves (Depending on the person) to get a truly good shave, I'm at about 25 now and I can get an acceptable shave (Not BBS yet) where I am comfortable only using the straight.


The Merkur is a good razor for your GF, I would almost steer towards one of the adjustable models so she can dial up or down the aggressiveness depending on how she feels....but a nice DE is a good thing to have in your arsenal even if you shave with straights.

Good luck and welcome to the addiction

My sight unseen deal from Larry arrives tomorrow, can't wait.

I have been using the full sandalwood product line from The Art of Shaving (pricy due to boutique nature) with a cartridge razor while I wait for a proper shave ready straight and DE and they are superb IMO. I simply can't believe how much better the shave I get and how relaxing and enjoyable it is to take my time with a proper wet shave.