Thread: A Question from a Newbie!

Next to a properly honed blade, a good preshave prep is a must. It doesn't have to be quite to the extent of this, if you have the time then it is a treat
You basically want to have the whiskers properly hydrated and a properly whipped up soap/cream and you'll be fine.

As a relative newby to straight shaving but a longer term wet shaver I'll second that all of that prep isn't necessary. Shower, whip up some lather, apply with a decent brush, shave.

When you have time and want to treat yourself you can always do more but I can wet shave in about the time it used to take me to get a "good" shave with an electric.

Somehow this seemed to be bit over-board to me! But hey, what do i know! I have time to shave, but not this much!

Originally Posted by Catrentshaving

Next to a properly honed blade, a good preshave prep is a must. It doesn't have to be quite to the extent of this, if you have the time then it is a treat
You basically want to have the whiskers properly hydrated and a properly whipped up soap/cream and you'll be fine.

+1 to this!

Once you start doing it you will wonder why you ever didn't. Maybe not this guys method but find what works. Wet the face, make a good lather, later up the face let it sit, wash face off then reapply and your shaves will be soooo much better. I look forward to the shaving experience now.

Just clearing up everything before i start! I start shaving on Boxing Day!

Another vote here for extensive prep before the shave. I lather up my face, strop the razor, and remove and re-apply lather. This last month I've been experimenting with massaging the first batch of lather into my whiskers before removing it, and I haven't noticed a dramatic improvement (Although as usual, with all the other variables involved, I'm not certain yet and I'll continue to try this on and off.)

Geo's videos helped a lot when i first started out. :thumbup:

Originally Posted by spacemonkeyjon

Geo's videos helped a lot when i first started out. :thumbup:

I agree he helped me allot as well..also mantic videos are great.
Geo has the right ideas and takes his prep to the full nines. I try to baby myself that way when I have the time..