Thread: Hello From North Eastern Connecticut

Hey fellas, I am new hear, looking into shaving with a straight edge, and at this point in time I am LOST, so much to know..
I will greatly appreciate any info you can offer a newbe, I pretty much need everything start to finish..

I own and operate an HVAC-r installation and service company, I specialize in high efficiency geothermal, gas, oil, electric, and coal/wood powered heating and cooling systems... I am also an amateur gun smith, build and ride motorcycles as a hobby, and enjoy and own a lot of high end audio equipment... So if anyone ever needds a llittle advice on anything I know about I will gladly offer any assistance I can...

Thanks and I look forward to sticking around and shaving with out cartridges...

Hi turbo, welcome aboard. Getting started is actually pretty easy, you'll need a straight razor, strop, shaving brush, shaving soap or cream, and toner. That's the easy part. There are a number of places you can purchase this equipment. I usually get my products from "Straight Razor Designs (SRD).

The straight razor: Any razor purchased through SRD will be honed by Lynn so you can be assured the razor is sharp and shave ready. If you're just getting started purchase something inexpensive, a sharp $100 straight will shave just as well as a $700 straight.

The strop: you will have a few choices from bison, horse, kangaroo, steer and synthetic just to name a few. Each one of these material will have a different feel as you strop the straight razor, this is called the draw. Light, medium, to heavy. I would suggest getting a two inch black latigo a medium draw, and inexpensive so when you nick or cut it when you're stropping your razor you wont get to upset. Also a two inch strop will help you practice your X stroke. There are a lot of good stropping videos here on The Straight Razor Place. Just remember very light pressure when stropping.

The shaving brush: you will have a choice between badger, boar, horse, synthetic or some combination. Most people choose Badger, I like horse hair. Again something inexpensive will work fine for a beginner.

The shave soap: I would stay away from anything highly scented, some people have a reaction to the perfumes in the soap. Start with something unscented for sensitive skin. The idea is to develop your shaving technique and if you are having a reaction to something in a perfumed soap you wont be able to determine if it is the soap or your shaving technique.

There are a lot of different techniques for making lather from scuttles, mugs, bowls and face lathering. Also using hot water or cold water. I shave with cold water and face lather the link below has a good description on how to face lather:

Mitchell's Wool Fat Shaving Soap

When shaving with a straight it's important to understand how the hair on your face grows and match this direction on your first pass called "with the grain" (WTG) then "across the grain" (XTG) and "against the grain" (ATG). Start out only going with the grain until your technique improves or you could end up with irritation. If you find that going WTG is all you face can tolerate then go with that. Remember comfort over closeness.

Toner/aftershave/balm: After the shave you will want to protect and soothe your face, everyone has their favorite...experiment...find one you like. I usually use an "alum block" followed by "witch hazel" (a little redundant seeing as they do basically the same thing) after that an aftershave balm or aftershave or even an aftershave talc like Clubman.

That's kind of the basics. I'm sure other members will suggest other ideas. Take your time and figure out what works for you. It will take you about 100 shaves to get competent. Good Luck

Thanks so much for the reply, I just bought a 5/8 razor from the classifieds, I liked the look and the seller seems to be a very knowledgable and polite gentleman. I like the fact that it is an older razor, kind of matches my lifestyle...
But anyway part 1, find a razor, is complete... Now onto a strop, I will look into the rest of the "equipment" tomorrow after work... thanks again..

Welcome to SRP, Turbo

Thanks guys,

I wanted to give an update on how I am making out...

I actually received my razor alcoso master 5/8 bought from the classfieds for $165 , shave soap Amazon.com: Proraso Shaving Soap, Eucalyptus & Menthol, 5.2 oz (150 ml), New Formulation: Beauty , brush Amazon.com: Escali 100% Pure Badger Shaving Brush: Health & Personal Care , and a strop {I got a second hand one and this one new} Amazon.com: Fromm Razor Strop 2 1/2" X 23": Health & Personal Care .

OK, so I watched a bunch of vids and read a little on technique, I tried to do my research... I am going to buy a bowl, I just didn't think it was that big of a deal until my wife asked why I had one of our bowls in the master bathroom, I guess shaving in the wife's Villeroy and Boch soup bowls in frowned upon in my house... But besides that, I think I did pretty good, one little cut that has no mark but bled for about 2 minutes, I put some of the antiseptic on it and it stopped.. I am also going to look into an after shave, I never used it before with my catridges but I think it will make the ritual complete...

I can tell its going to take some getting used to with the way I hold the razor for different parts of my face, and stropping the razor definitely is going to take some practice, I like to think I am pretty coordinated and I think if I do it anotherr 10 times I'll have the hang of it, I went very slow and took my time, it did take around five times the amount of time a mach3 would take me, but I feel better about the shave....

thanks for all your help guys, I am happy I came here for advice, I was on the fence of making the investment, now I am glad I did...

Originally Posted by Turbo

Thanks guys,

I wanted to give an update on how I am making out...

I actually received my razor alcoso master 5/8 bought from the classfieds for $165 , shave soap Amazon.com: Proraso Shaving Soap, Eucalyptus & Menthol, 5.2 oz (150 ml), New Formulation: Beauty , brush Amazon.com: Escali 100% Pure Badger Shaving Brush: Health & Personal Care , and a strop {I got a second hand one and this one new} Amazon.com: Fromm Razor Strop 2 1/2" X 23": Health & Personal Care .

OK, so I watched a bunch of vids and read a little on technique, I tried to do my research... I am going to buy a bowl, I just didn't think it was that big of a deal until my wife asked why I had one of our bowls in the master bathroom, I guess shaving in the wife's Villeroy and Boch soup bowls in frowned upon in my house... But besides that, I think I did pretty good, one little cut that has no mark but bled for about 2 minutes, I put some of the antiseptic on it and it stopped.. I am also going to look into an after shave, I never used it before with my catridges but I think it will make the ritual complete...

I can tell its going to take some getting used to with the way I hold the razor for different parts of my face, and stropping the razor definitely is going to take some practice, I like to think I am pretty coordinated and I think if I do it anotherr 10 times I'll have the hang of it, I went very slow and took my time, it did take around five times the amount of time a mach3 would take me, but I feel better about the shave....

thanks for all your help guys, I am happy I came here for advice, I was on the fence of making the investment, now I am glad I did...

Glad to hear you're giving it a try