Newcomer Introduction

Hello SRP, My Name is Hanson, and I am a college student, studying mechanical engineering at Auburn University. I have started coming to the "finer things in life" in an effort to get back to true gentlemanly arts (straight razor shaving, pipes, cigars, etc.). I have now completed my first and second shave under the guidance of @Linacman, who lives in town, and he has helped me out a lot getting started. Now, being a working college student, I would love to delve deeper into this art, and appreciate any help anyone is willing to give me. I'm looking for ways to start myself off, with my budget in mind (college student, remember?), cheaply, but as well of as I can. Also, these first two shaves, the razor burn has been pretty killer. Still trying to perfect my technique (like I said, under Linacman), so I still figure it's probably just my face getting used to the new sensations, as well as myself getting used to the motions and all. So, here is my introduction!

Happy to be here. Looking for anything anyone is willing to provide me with to help me get started, (feel free to discuss favorite tobaccos, cigars, pipes, etc. as well and any guidance on budgeting/buying those types of things, as well as storage methods -budgeted as well).

Thanks so much!
War Damn Eagle,
Hanson

Welcome to SRP, sorry to hear about the razor burn, remember to watch your angle and don't use any pressure.

Welcome to SRP. Your in the right place to learn this skill. Take your time and enjoy.

Welcome to SRP. How is your pre-shave prep? IMO, that is the most critical aspect of a good shave. Try using the back of your hand to tell when your hairs are getting soft in the shower. Good luck!

Welcome my cut throat brethren. I have a convert for about 4 months now and my quality of shaving is improving. The trick? None really, its a combination of many things:
improving technique, good lather production, face prep and most of all getting to know your face.

Take you time and enjoy the process.

How do you start a new thread? Did a search for info on posting no help, searched for info on thread no help.

Welcome to SRP!

A tip I give to most new comers is practice shaving with a butter knife. It will help you obtain blade angle, pressure (very little) and help establish muscle memory plus you won't cut yourself. You can also use a butter knife to practice stropping for the same reasons and you won't cut your strop. If using a hanging strop try laying on a counter top until you get the flip action perfected as improper stropping can ruin the edge which will cause pulling/tugging which can attribute to razor burn.

As stated above, go slow, you are not in a race here as straight razor shaving has a large learning curve. Good luck on your journey and don't be afraid to ask questions. You will discover this site has a large number of very knowledgeable members very generous with their help.

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Originally Posted by boz

How do you start a new thread? Did a search for info on posting no help, searched for info on thread no help.

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To start a new thread click on 'Forums', then pick a category (for instance 'Razors') then click 'Post New Thread' and start typing.

Welcome to SRP! Starting young is great. I started around the same time you did, but never got serious about it until more recently.
On the plus side, if you happen to live in a dorm and the ladies see you using a straight razor while all of the other boys are using a gillette fusion... you'll have an enjoyable college experience. just dont let them see you hack your face away ;)
As for the burn, some of that might just be your skin getting used to shaving with a straight, but part is very likely the angle and pressure you're using in combination to the direction you're shaving in relation to the "grain"
definitely check out the library here as that's where I learned pretty much everything I know, and ask questions! It's a fun and enjoyable experience learning

Welcome to the forum, I am pretty new also, so I can relate to the burn.. I started about a month ago and just the last week or so have been burn free, so stick with it, you will learn the angles, pressure, prep / routine. Once I started pulling my face the correct direction for my trouble areas is when things got better. A sharp razor is key also

As for budget, the b/s/t section here is great. You can always message one of the sellers and let them know you are new and on a budget to find out if they have anything they can recommend in your price range. Keep the purchases simple, a razor and a strop is really all you need to get started.