hello, i'm new.

[johnnyhotdog]

hi - thought i'd introduce myself as i've been lurking for a little while now!

i'm john and i found this site while searching for my first razor! i have been in love with the idea of shaving properly for some years but have only just got round to it. i haven't used my new razor yet as i'm just practicing handling it safely and absorbing as much information as i can.

please be patient as i am bound to have some stupid questions!

[xman]

Welcome John. I don't think there ARE any stupid questions. Only people who won't ask them. What kind of razor do you have? Does it pass the hanging hair test?

X

[johnnyhotdog]

i have a Dovo - i bought it from :

www.cutthroatrazor.com

it was supplied shave ready and it passes the hanging hair test with flying colours!

i bought my brother an open razor for his 21st birthday a few years ago and have been envious ever since!

[xman]

[OOOOO LOOK!! ^ I got my wings ^ "Senior Member" ]

I had always wanted a barber shave, John and when I missed any opportunity in Dawson City, Yukon two years ago the thought wouldn't leave my mind that I should just aquire the tools myself. Glad I did.

One thing I did while waiting for my first razors to arrive (yeah, I ordered a few out of the gate ) was to balance a butter knife and a chopstick together in one hand as if they might be blade and scales respectively and to draw that over my face in a shaving motion. Several shaving motions actually, switching positions. I think it helped to prepair me a little, but nothing was like actually having that razor steel moving through the hairs. Try it out on your cheeks first until you get comfortablee enough to do more of your face and you'll see what I mean. Just make sure to prep the beard, lots of hot water and a nice smooth cream and you you should be good to go.

Did you get a stainless steel or carbon? What are you using for a strop?

X

[AFDavis11]

Welcome Mr. HotDog,

A shave ready razor huh?! Fabulous. Must have been very expensive. Welcome to the forum. We will be glad to help you with any question you have. We almost have the instructions for honing a "shave ready" razor etched in stone...lol. Don't get discouraged if the razor doesn't shave great at first. Ask any questions you like, we love to chat on here. And again, welcome.

[bebosky]

Welcome HOTDOG.

I am new too. These guys put up with all of my questions...you wont have any problems. This is agreat site...glad to have ya.

[johnnyhotdog]

Did you get a stainless steel or carbon? What are you using for a strop?

it's got a 5/8 carbon steel blade and i got a leather and canvass hanging strop.

A shave ready razor huh?! Fabulous. Must have been very expensive.

i value my face far too much to be cheap! i just keep thinking of the money i'll save that gillette won't get anymore - it's an investment!

We almost have the instructions for honing a "shave ready" razor etched in stone...lol.

thanks for the warm welcome guys!

[Joe Lerch]

Just remember a shave ready razor still needs to be stropped.

[johnnyhotdog]

thanks! i don't want to end up looking like this :
still practising just holding it in both hands, opening it, closing it and picking it up safely.

[randydance062449]

Hi guy! Welcome to the group. You have found the largest repository of knowledge regarding straight razors that exists anywhere. Since you feel that your razor is shave ready then remember to strop it just before you shave. Most of us use 25-50 round trip laps on the plain leather. It is not advised to use the linen side of your strop until after the first shave. When you do try using 20 laps on the linen followed by 25-50 laps on the plain leather. Disregard the instructions on the cutthroatrazor.com web site. They are inaccurate.

Pay close attention to the shave prep routine that you use. It will make a huge difference in the quality of your shave. For me the biggest change came when I focused on using very hot water, and lots of it, to soften my whiskers. The other major change came from using a pre-shave oil.

There is a whole bunch of stuff to read that will help you. Are you aware of any other sites that will give you info? Check out our links section.

Let us know how it goes for you. We are all glad to help.