Thread: Joining the straight razor world

Ok well any suggestions to a good oil? And I'd did I
My first shave today didn't go as bad as I thought it would my main problem was lathering good not build up a good lather for the life of me. I had like 50 passes
Lol. First couple seemed like I was just wiping the shave cream off. When I started shaving I felt it was tugging the hair a lot. I had like 6 passes with the cream 3 sideways and 3 against the grain. I think next time im just going with the grain once I learn the correct way of doing it I'll start going against. I did get razor burns tho which sucks. I did apply some pressure, but if I didn't it would tug and cut. When I did apply pressure it burned a lot more. I kinda figured the razor would just glide over my face without needing pressure, but that wasn't the case.

By the way which side do you guys strop with? The rough bumpy side or the smooth side?

Originally Posted by Ruffrider

Thanks for the details roughkype. Which oil should I buy to protect my razor is there a certain brand you guys stick with. What side of the strop do I strop with also the rough bumpy side or the smooth side. I'm going go do my first shave in a bit and see how it goes.

I use plain old mineral oil, but any gun oil works too. Just wipe the blade before you strop before the shave. You strop on the smooth side. I strop 40-60 times (up and back equals one) after the shave and 60-80 before the shave.

Ok thanks shooter. I think my biggest problem was I was going passed 30 degrees I should have angled it more I was at 90 degrees at points mainly the lower cheek it got a lot harder. I did get a super smooth shave, but I went against the grain to achieve it lol.

Originally Posted by Ruffrider

Ok well any suggestions to a good oil? And I'd did I
My first shave today didn't go as bad as I thought it would my main problem was lathering good not build up a good lather for the life of me. I had like 50 passes
Lol. First couple seemed like I was just wiping the shave cream off. When I started shaving I felt it was tugging the hair a lot. I had like 6 passes with the cream 3 sideways and 3 against the grain. I think next time im just going with the grain once I learn the correct way of doing it I'll start going against. I did get razor burns tho which sucks. I did apply some pressure, but if I didn't it would tug and cut. When I did apply pressure it burned a lot more. I kinda figured the razor would just glide over my face without needing pressure, but that wasn't the case.

Camellia oil is good. I think the Japanese use it on their carbon steel knives. I use it and it's easy to wipe off the blade when you're preparing for stropping.

Please read this about camellia oil...my new discovery/story: http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...our-razor.html

I had my third shave today and the right side of my face had the best shave ever it was awesome no stumble at all and all in one. Pass did three passes on the other side and could not get it as good as the right side so I left it didn't want to go against the grain this time. This time it didn't pull or tug at all and didn't have to use any pressure just the weight of the straight.

Originally Posted by shooter74743

Your whiskers are equivalent to a pure copper strand the same diameter & you are cutting a bunch of them...

Mine are almost identical to copper strands LOL. I have a red beard, you'd have to try and bend one of each to tell the difference :P