Thread: Beginners Tips: March 2012

Well gents this month's theme was pretty easy really I have noted one overall trend in the threads, posts, and e-mails...

Rush, Rush, Rush

The worst thing a Straight Razor shaver can do is rush into this, you really need to slow down, some of you guys are so anxious to get to the end you are missing the fun along the path.. By the way, there is no end


It starts with the first razor, I just read a thread where a new guy ordered a complete set up from a reputable vendor here, but before it even gets to him, he is buying a second razor off e-bay and asking if it was a good buy??? Come on seriously ???

Then comes the self defeating first shave, it starts with Testing the blade with honing tests, that a new guy has no business even trying, let alone before the first shave test ... I realize that the new advertising gimmick on e-bay and from certain "Honsters" is the catch phrase "Will pass the HHT",, really guys ??? are you honestly that dumb ??? I think if you are you should slowly take the sharp object away from your neck

Nowhere on this site does it ever say your first shave should be a "Shave" it says in multiple places to start with the easy parts of the face (Sideburn to Jawline) and then finish with your old system until you learn SLOWLY how the razor works... Day by day you expand that comfort zone and eventually you master the harder parts of the shave... Blood is not fun, and Chicks really don't dig scars, unless they were won in battle

You have to take this journey step by small step, heck just learning to make proper lather can take a bit of doing, let alone getting the stropping down..

Honing is the other thing I see being rushed into, I see guys asking what hone to buy before they have even received their first razor and learned how to use it.. Honing is an entirely different aspect of this hobby, honestly learn to maintain your edges first, then if you find you are ready to expand into honing you have a better grasp of what is going on...

I think part of this is society in general, we are after Faster, and Cheaper in everything anymore, this endeavor of Straight Razor shaving is a throw back to older, slower times, you have to unlearn many things with just the shaving aspect, you might need to unlearn a bit of social pressure to rush also..
Remember, although Chicks might not dig shaving scars, they do like a man that takes his time, and does things right

Best advice we as the Senior guys can give you is to slow down, relax, and enjoy the process, it really is the best part as you learn each subtle nuance of the hobby you have chosen...

As always I encourage the Senior members to add to this post, we all see things from different angles so different opinions are possible...

Although, I seriously doubt many of the more experienced guys are going to say speed up though



ps: I tried a small attempt at humor in this month's post, please take it that way... or tell me to shutup and stick to the facts next month Glen

Great post, Glen. I have nice fading scar on my neck from shaving too fast the day the g/f's car got stolen. I had no business going near that razor I was so wired up and not in a great shaving mood.

Another benefit of slowing down is that you can actually learn / understand things for yourself rather than just basing things on what you read somewhere.
I know the information is overwhelming, but really - take some time to digest and understand it in small bits rather than just cramming everything in. You'll find the sport a lot more enjoyable, and you'll have a much better grasp on what you are doing.

A recent example (and I don't mean to pick on anyone here) is in the numerous questions about pressure during honing, and wanting a detailed explanation of how much pressure to use.
There is a lot to be said for accelerating the learning process based on the experience of others. At times, in my opinion, we overlook the value in experimenting and learning for ourselves. Let's not forget that we all share a hobby that centers around slowing things down, and going low-tech.
Don't be afraid to experiment (once you have the basics down) - on your hones try using firm pressure, light pressure, really light pressure. You'll probably reach the same conclusion that you read about and it will take longer to get the end result, but you'll develop a much better feel for the blade along the way. By the time you're done you'll have a feel for light pressure, and won't need to know how many onces that is on a scale.
Avoid "cookbook" shaving and "cookbook" honing - at least after you have the basics down.

There is probably something to be said for a relatively firm "recipe" for someone that's just getting started. After that, branch out - experiment. You might even discover something new.

One of the best things that I have done in relation to my honing is I stopped believing what other people wrote. Instead I tested what other people wrote, and decided whether or not to agree with it. It turns out that in just about all cases I found that what I was reading was correct... But if not for testing it I wouldn't have developed that knowledge for myself. I would be stuck in the rut of relying on others to figure everything out for me.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

... snipped lots of suff....

ps: I tried a small attempt at humor in this month's post, please take it that way... or tell me to shutup and stick to the facts next month Glen

Glen,
Shut up and stick to the facts. Actually patience is a virtue that will improve your shaving experience and one that woman do appreciate. However, nowadays everybody is in a rush, doing two or three things, often poorly, at a time. Stropping should be calming, same as honing and shaving. hand sanding a blade can also through its repetitiveness be calming.

Taking your time through the all the steps of a straight razor shave makes for a better shave and mentally prepares you for the day, or night as the case may be.

remember to enjoy,
jim

Jim !!!!! great to see you posting again,, Drop me a pm and tell me how yer doing

g

I know I know : but Jim is one of the old original Chat Crazies from the Cave days

Someone once told me life is a marathon, not a sprint. This is something I need to tell myself more often as I overindulge my shaving obsessions. I do find life terribly difficult to slow down, and I love that shaving is helping me to do that little by little. Whether it be with stropping or honing blades, or taking the extra time to get a DFS. I have trouble containing my passion.

It’s hard to slow down considering many of our lives are so hectic, but I would agree that there is very little reason to enjoy wet-shaving period, if you approach it as anything other than a pleasurable experience meant to be enjoyed.

While we are on the topic however of things beginners should and shouldn’t do – I take exception to one of your points. Of course YMMV and this is just one man’s opinion, but I would like to express it:

I personally see no harm in collecting even before you “know what you are doing.” That said, I feel using and understanding but one or two of your collection is key to learning how to use a straight. Moreover, I think the razor you start with, should be one you are willing to harm – that’s to say don’t start with a family heirloom.

Were I to begin again, I would invest in a great set of hones or a coti, some pastes, and a bought a lesser razor. I say this because initially, I was obsessed with knowing if my technique was off or if my blade was dull. Sending my blade to be honed had the effect of me losing a bit of passion initially.

As “veterans” know, hones aren’t needed all that much... but as a “rookie” who’s conditioned to want things quickly there is a great deal of uncertainty and confusion between a bad shave and a dull razor. Moreover, I feel honing and edge maintenance are a fantastic aspect of straight ownership. One that once I got down – allowed me to focus on the job at hand – shaving technique.

Anyway – that’s “my thing.” Were a buddy to ask me to help him get into straights, I would advocate learning to hone, maintain an edge, strop as soon as he started and to buy a blade to learn it all on. I think within 3 months the majority of his uncertainties will have been alleviated by doing so thus allowing him to be able to focus on getting a great shave by years end.

Thanks Glen +1 on the humor.

The only time Tongue-In-Cheek humor that is not appreciated is when it's your tongue and everyone else is laughing because you bit it!

Back on topic I agree completely! It was 3 or 4 months before I new the advantages of a proper lather.

Heck, I have been wet shaving for just over a year and an only now satisifed with my honing and stropping.

Alternatively, if someone (yes I was guilty) wants to take the long bloody road and try it all themselves, then more power too them. There's alot learned from making your own mistakes... and yes a lot about straight razor shaving should not be rushed.

I would qualify this though, that they have to be stubborn enough to not get discouraged and give up.

There's alot said about learning my actually doing

“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”
― Benjamin Franklin

Shut up and stick to the facts. The humor OF N Idaho is not funny. NO one wants to be scolded about enthusiasm. Who died and made you King KNOW It ALL?

Originally Posted by jlands3

Shut up and stick to the facts. The humor OF N Idaho is not funny. NO one wants to be scolded about enthusiasm. Who died and made you King KNOW It ALL?