Thread: My first shave with a straight razor!

Gentlemen,

I have just enjoyed my very first shave with a straight razor! I used a Joseph Elliot's Best Silver Steel (Sheffield), an 11/16 wedge with a spike point, barber's notch, and bone scales. This razor came shave-ready from Bob Keyes.



The shave started with Proraso pre/post cream. I then used my trusty Simpsons Special brush (best badger) to apply lathered Truefitt & Hill Trafalgar shaving cream. I gave myself a wonderful four-pass shave. No nick, cuts, burns, or irritation! I am truly in love with shaving this way.

My first few strokes pulled a little, but adjusting my angle of attack cured that immediately. From there, it was smooth and easy. I used a big blade, but I was able to drive it around my sideburns, moustache, and goatee without any problems. I also liked the weight of the wedge razor. Most of the safety razors I use are quite heavy (Gillette HD, Aristocrat, etc.), so I'm used to that.

When the shave sadly came to an end, I thoroughly rinsed the razor in hot water, carefully dabbed it dry with a towel, used a cotton ball to apply mineral oil to it, left the razor open, and set it on a shelf in my office.

Next order of business is to get myself a Norton 4k/8k and a strop or two from Tony. Needless to say ...

I AM HOOKED!!!

Ben,

Well, now you know what all the fuss is about. A straight razor shave is like no other. Congrats on the first shave going well. No doubt all the experience with a DE helped.

Ed

138 posts and a Hoinemeister title before even shaving once. Looks like you took your time and did it right. Congrats. Don't worry about the Norton right away, but instead focus on getting the strop(s) that suit you best. With a good pasted paddle strop you shold be able to keep the stone at bay for quite a while.

Sure looks like a nice razor too. Sweet!

X

Well, what can I say? I enjoy shooting the breeze with you guys.

The Honemeister title, for those who aren't aware, comes with the post count. It has nothing to do with my ability to sharpen a razor. Hehehehe.

Anyway, I really enjoyed the experience. My collection of straight and safety razors is growing and growing, so I'll always have something interesting when it's time to shave.

Tony Miller is getting my business for strops. End of story. But Norton stones are a commodity item, so the lowest sale price and shipping cost win.

That's a nice looking razor. I was thinking, "How did he manage to avoid cutting himself with a freshly honed blade on his first attempt?" Then I read that you don't have to shave much! With a moustache, goatee and sideburns you don't have many tricky areas to tackle, like the chin and upper lip.

I was actually thinking about this the other day: Do you think that people with facial hair (moustaches, etc.) miss out on the straight razor experience a bit?

I'm usually clean-shaven (it's become a compulsive addiction since getting into this hobby), and I find it's great to splash the cool water on my face after a shave. If I've done a good job, the skin feels like glass. If I had a goatee, though, I think the job would feel... less than complete.

Maybe I'm alone on this one, though. I challenged a guy at work to a beard-off a month or two ago and it drove me nuts! I shaved after a week. Whenever there's the slightest bit of hair on my face, all I want to do is shave it clean off.

Originally Posted by Blade Wielder

That's a nice looking razor. I was thinking, "How did he manage to avoid cutting himself with a freshly honed blade on his first attempt?" Then I read that you don't have to shave much! With a moustache, goatee and sideburns you don't have many tricky areas to tackle, like the chin and upper lip.

I was actually thinking about this the other day: Do you think that people with facial hair (moustaches, etc.) miss out on the straight razor experience a bit?

I have plenty to shave. My sideburns aren't mutton chops, my moustache isn't a Fu-Manchu, and my goatee isn't a full beard. I can always go a bit shorter on my sideburns, but they need to stay. Also note that I have to sculpt the sideburns to give 'em the swoosh. The moustache and goatee aren't going anywhere.

No, I'm not missing out on any of the straight razor experience. I'm shaving with one, and that's what counts in my book. I still have a plenty of real estate to cover (including my entire neck), but just a bit less than other folks.

Originally Posted by Ben

Gentlemen,

I have just enjoyed my very first shave with a straight razor! I


I AM HOOKED!!!

Looks like we have our first hooker

I gave that up years ago.

Ben,

Nice looking razor and congratulations on
your first shave....


Terry

Thanks, Terry. I'm glad I could share the good news with you guys.