Thread: Hello - newbie alert

Hi

Tired of the ever ridiculous technological *innovations* the disposable razor manufacturers thrust upon us, I've decided to try straight razor shaving for the first time.

Having researched the matter a bit (including lurking here and over at Badger and Blade) it's clear that the concensus is to buy a pre-honed razor in order to concentrate on the shaving technique before worrying too much about honing and stropping.

My kit so far:

* a "shavette" type razor using disposable razor blades - seems to be a common way to test the waters

* wooden bowl with shaving soap (Kent)

* Proraso pre and post shaving cream

* a styptic pencil

(awaiting these four items from eBay sellers)

* a pure badger brush which I've had for a while

If all goes well with the "shavette" type razor and it seems that this malarkee is for me I think I'll buy my first true straight razor and possibly a strop from The Well Shaved Gentleman.

Until then can anybody tell me if there are any honemeisters based in the UK? (I'm in Glasgow).

Regards
Colin

Welcome aboard! I think you'll enjoy straight razor shaving. I'm of the opinion that you should take the plunge to a true straight as quickly as possible, since I think shavettes are dangerous in the hands of a beginner (Use a very, very light touch. Those DE or feather blades are much sharper than even a honemeister could get a straight). But, that being said, you're off to a great start!

I have one of Tony's strops, as well as a straight razor from him, and I can't speak highly enough of them.

Unfortunately, I don't know any honemeisters in the UK, but there are plenty of UK and European members, so I'm sure one of them will be able to help you out.

Again, welcome.

As far I I know none. I might be wrong however. If you can't find any let me know. I'm just across the pond.

Colin,
When you are ready to step up to real straights you will find that mine are pre-honed so you won't need that UK based Honemeister right off the bat.


I still use a Shavette when I travel and it does make a nice start.

Tony

Thanks for the replies so far.

It's dawning on me just how dangerous my "shavette" might be in my trembling newbie hands.

I read with interest the experiences of another forum member (entropy) as he started out with a feather AC before getting a real straight razor. I'm am worried about the sharpness and the difference in weight/balance of the razor that's on it's way compared to that of a real straight razor. I may just hold out until I can afford the real deal. I'm definitely buying a copy of Lynn's DVD too.

I envisage this escalating from utility to hobby to obsession quite rapidly as I read more and more on the art (much gleaned from this forum thanks). Ideally to begin with I'd like to obtain some decent basic kit (some of it courtesy of Tony methinks) and perhaps a couple of razors to practice honing on. Then we'll see how it goes from there.

Colin

VERY perceptive Colin,
Utility to hobby to obsession. For most that try straight razor shaving that seems to be a very steep, very slippery slope. It seems that several of our newer members have quickly amassed quite a large collection of razors, creams, brushes, soaps, aftershaves, hones, strops... Suffice it to say that it would be quite easy to relieve yourself of all of your disposable income for the forseable future if you are so inclined. The worst part/or is that the best part, many of our members are very happy to enable your acquisition disorders.

Good luck, enjoy the disease!

Ed

Originally Posted by sqrt0

It's dawning on me just how dangerous my "shavette" might be in my trembling newbie hands.

The problem with the shavette is twofold: (1) the blades are generally very sharp and a bit rough and (2) the shavette has very little mass, which makes it unstable when it hits any kind of serious stubble. Go ahead and give it a try, but just be careful, and be aware that it's much more difficult to control and much more likely to nick you than a traditional straight. But if you can shave with one a straight won't give you any trouble at all (except for honing, but that's another matter).

hey colin welcome to srp, i live in scotland also and have been at this for a little over a year or so, Im glad you have been able to boost the numbers of the scottish contingent some more. I'm up north of you in Buckie and if you see Stot he is from near inverness.

All the info you have recieved so far is from the best guys and its good to see your going in the right direction, I myself need these guys too as believe me there is plenty I dont know but if you need any help i will be only to glad to help you out if I can.

For most of the stuff you need you will find it in varying amounts in the UK but for the most part alot of it is in the US so i do find myself buying from there plus the pound is well strong against the dollar right now and it is worth your while.

I own a few bits I have purchased from Tony Miller, a pasted 4 sided strop, ( a great tool )a strop and I alsobought a coticule, he is agreat guy to deal with.

What you will find on here is that all the guys where ever they are are really keen to help you out with any questions you might have and remember there are no silly questions only silly answers....

all the best and welcome to the flock, regards,simon

Thanks for making me feel welcome guys. It's obvious that there are loads of man hours of experience, enthusiasm and willingness to help on the forums. I expect to learn loads more as I take my first few tentative steps towards shaving nirvana.

Simon can I ask where you got your coticule and what type it is? (size, grade - whatever metrics matter ). I was checking out the Belgian hones for sale here. Also do you get by with the paddle strop and coticle for you honing needs. I expect you have an everyday strop too? So many questions and unfounded anxiety at the moment (lapping, honing, stropping, oh and shaving), however I shall be patient and take things a step at a time.

Well thanks again for now. Once my kit arrives and I have a go I may report back.

Colin

Originally Posted by sqrt0

Also do you get by with the paddle strop and coticle for you honing needs. I expect you have an everyday strop too? So many questions and unfounded anxiety at the moment (lapping, honing, stropping, oh and shaving), however I shall be patient and take things a step at a time.

I won't discuss lapping a hone, that's not really my area of expertise.

But I *am* a stropmeister! I would suggest that you go with a pre-honed razor. Then you can use a pasted strop to maintain the edge. You can get by with that quite well for a long time before you'll need to worry about honing again. During that time, you can practice your honing skills on some ebay butterknives to get the knack of it.

You can use just one strop if you like. When I started, I got a DOVO paddle strop, with paste on one side and leather on the other. You can use the leather as your 'everyday' strop with no problem. Just remember that you should clean off the razor if you use the paste, before you use the leather (otherwise, the paste gets on the leather, and can make it abrasive). And if you use something as short as a paddle strop, you need extra 'laps'.

You can also get a box strop from Tony Miller, and get three pastes and one side leather for 'normal' stropping. Currently, my box strop has four different pastes, and I use a regular hanging strop for my everyday stropping. But I am a sick, sick man.

Options, options....