Thread: Were I to start over...

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Are you saying you want folks to do this with the knowledge they have now about shaving or just what they would do if they were starting cold again?

I am kind of enjoying how people have interpreted it for themselves . It was however, my intention to have members reply with what they know now were they starting cold!

Thanks for clearing that up.

I guess it would have been better had I said in as very Kansas-sentric way lol, your house got blown away in a tornado. You lost everything, but are starting fresh with a little insurance money. What did you learn and how would you go about it now?

I never have been concise!

1 - Introduction:
Hi! I am Jerry, and I have been using a straight for about 1 1/2 years. I am hooked and can never stop.

2 - Pre-Shave / Creams / Soaps / the Brush / Post Shave:
I can add as much to this ritual as I have time to enjoy or I can just wet my face with the brush (hot water) and hit the puck for face lathering. The later is mostly what I do every morning before work. I finish with an after shave and no cologne or an after lotion and cologne. I have 5 brushes in rotation, all in different sizes. 2 horse and 3 badger. I gave boar a try but I get enough scritchy from a black or grey badger thank you.

I always liked Alcohol but…I never drink and shave :<0)

3 - The Shave using a Straight (or DE):
I have 2 DEs I tried but never use which came in a lot of brushes and stuff. My start was typical I guess and I don't think I could have done much better. A few kitty scratches in the beginning from not paying attention or being in a hurry. I have gotten so used to using a straight that I have to be careful on those mornings I wake up a little late and get all hurried. If I don't have a chat with myself in the mirror when I start the razor will remind me to slow down within 3 or 4 strokes on the cheek. I get more " Oh that could of- should of hurt" instances than I do cuts.

4- Stropping: I had some latigo and made a paddle then a piece of horse hide and an old linen strap off a vintage strop on a paddle I made. Got used to it , it works , haven't had a desire to change yet. And I do have a horse butt hide and enough leather to make a saddle or 2. latigo and natural tanned.

5 - Maintaining a Straights Edge: I have mostly used the strop to maintain all my edges but given the amount of razors I own that is not bragging. See Honing:

6 - Honing: I started off with an edge Glen put on a Duck for me. While I waited I bought a 4/8 Norton and practiced on a few others I had. I then got a king 250/1k and started buying and using more razors. I was very content with that set up for a year and then I went back over all the razors (cept 1) on a new 12k nani. 4 months later I went over them all again with a new Zulu Grey. I think that will be the end of the hone story for a long time. I can do whatever I want on that set. I may have RAD so bad I can't catch the rest of the ADs. Oh.... except if there is one for shop stuff :<0) read on....

7 - Conclusion:
I wouldn't change a thing. I learned with each mistake and taking the advice and learning what I needed along the way in SRP has led me to a being a happy shaving guy.

8 - Other: Now along the way I have restored razors, brushes and made a few strops. I have acquired/built some toys in the shop. I have a few RSOs laying on the bench and when finished that should (in Darth 's voice) "Complete my training". Then I will rule the galaxy.

Wow all that from deciding to use a straight? I am having fun,,,,what can I say.

guess it would have been better had I said in as very Kansas-sentric way lol, your house got blown away in a tornado. You lost everything, but are starting fresh with a little insurance money. What did you learn and how would you go about it now?

That's a totally different question for me.

I'd start with a bottom end razor from dovo or revisor, From a seller who supplies them honed. And expect to pay £60.

I'd get a leather off-cut. That is long enough and wide enough to make 2 strops. 1 for crox, 1 naked. And some para-cord to make loops and handles. I'd expect to pay £15.

And I would get the £10 omega brush from my local pharmacy, and there special soap called ted baker 02. total cost £18.


With that £98 spent I could shave for a very long time without needing rocks to touch up on.


If the house was gone I think that would be a fair budget to spend as well.

Hello, my name is Bill, I'm an alcoholic.

Originally Posted by WW243

Hello, my name is Bill, I'm an alcoholic.

Hello Bill.

Though we all commend you on having seen your demons and noting your weakness, there is of course a time and place for everything.

That said, I want you to know we can all understand how a thread discussing what you would do were you to start over again, would inspire you to see all that you have lost and cause you to blurt out your weakness.

Now, accept your realization and go out and seek your closest AA chapter and tell those better trained to handle your situation! We here are talking shaving.

But thanks for sharing!! Hope you get well .