Trying a straight.

Hey all. I've been wetshaving for awhile now. Been shaving with DE blades for the better part of the last 6-7 years, though I did take a break and was shaving with a Schick Hydro5 for a year and a half or so on a regular basis because a job I had required that I travel all the time and it was just simply easier to toss that into a bag than all my wetshaving gear, heck, didn't even really use any shave cream with it, was just looking to keep the beard cut down enough to satisfy occasional work 'no facial hair' requirements.

Anyway, so I've been wetshaving, like I said, for awhile now and decided I was going to give a straight a try. I tried it once back shortly after I started wetshaving and didn't even really give it a fair shot, started one shave, had a little trouble getting it to shave, got nervous, and put it up and haven't used it since. Decided to give it another go and stick with it this time even if I have to take some time building up to a full shave with one and use a combination of the straight and my DEs until that point.

I placed an order with Straight Razor Designs for the Ralph Aust 5/8 razor and strop kit, upgrading to the 3" strop and included the DVD to give me a little guidance on it all this time. I still have the straight from when I tried the first time put away but I'm not sure what its like after this time and figure it'd almost certainly need to be looked at by someone capable of putting a proper edge on it again.

Now I'm just waiting for the shipment to come so I can watch the DVD and start the journey. :tu

Welcome to the forum!
I have an Aust 5/8 from SRD and have been very happy with it. SRD ships pretty fast so you probably won't have long to wait.

I think you made some good choices, with the 5/8 Aust and the strop. It's just easier if you start "right". I'd add in a good soap and a decent brush. You don't need to break the bank, just try a few soaps or creams that people suggest and a brush, which I assume you have. I also can't say enough about the DVD's helpfulness. I pull it out to watch sections regularly, and it has been beyond helpful. Every time I have an issue I go back and look at that section again. The quality is much better than the Youtube posts, as is the completeness. Sometimes I feel like I'm a shill for Lynn, but I'm not...I'm new at this too and just have found it super helpful to see someone going through the steps the right way, and showing all the options, supply wise.

By the way, it takes time to get good, but man is it fun, once you pass the initial frustrating parts of wondering, "What am I doing wrong?" I'm now in about 2-3 months, saving 3-5 times/week with a SR and I'm still getting better, and expect to continue making more discoveries.

Thanks guys.

Harold, no worries about the brush and shave soaps. I've got those under control from using my DEs. Currently have 6 soaps/creams from QED, Crabtree and Evelyn, and Taylor. Don't know other people's views of those, but I've found all three brands work quite well for me. I at one point had more but I've moved several times and the others were pared down in trying to keep from moving stuff I wasn't much using. Most of the ones I've left behind either didn't work well for me, smelled unpleasant to me, or just weren't anything special enough to use more than once in a blue moon. As for brushes I've got 2, a silvertip and a pure. Both work quite well for me. Since I figured I currently have those under control, I didn't feel like adding to them currently. My storage space currently is quite limited so I'm trying to keep to things I know are useful and reduce the amount of stuff that just collects dust.

Hey, welcome to the forum. I know exactly what you mean about getting nervous on the first shave. Sounds like you have it all organized pretty well for your second start. Just take your time and be patient, you will be rewarded.

Bob

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Originally Posted by BobH

Hey, welcome to the forum. I know exactly what you mean about getting nervous on the first shave. Sounds like you have it all organized pretty well for your second start. Just take your time and be patient, you will be rewarded.

Bob

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I agree...good for you, Recluse!

It may be a good time to send the old straight out for a tune up. Two is a great number to start with, but be careful, they breed!

Hey - welcome aboard!

Had a great shave just a couple hours ago!

Just remember, it's all about the fun...and it's a lot of fun!!

Enjoy!

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Originally Posted by Recluse

Hey all. I've been wetshaving for awhile now. Been shaving with DE blades for the better part of the last 6-7 years, though I did take a break and was shaving with a Schick Hydro5 for a year and a half or so on a regular basis because a job I had required that I travel all the time and it was just simply easier to toss that into a bag than all my wetshaving gear, heck, didn't even really use any shave cream with it, was just looking to keep the beard cut down enough to satisfy occasional work 'no facial hair' requirements.

Anyway, so I've been wetshaving, like I said, for awhile now and decided I was going to give a straight a try. I tried it once back shortly after I started wetshaving and didn't even really give it a fair shot, started one shave, had a little trouble getting it to shave, got nervous, and put it up and haven't used it since. Decided to give it another go and stick with it this time even if I have to take some time building up to a full shave with one and use a combination of the straight and my DEs until that point.

I placed an order with Straight Razor Designs for the Ralph Aust 5/8 razor and strop kit, upgrading to the 3" strop and included the DVD to give me a little guidance on it all this time. I still have the straight from when I tried the first time put away but I'm not sure what its like after this time and figure it'd almost certainly need to be looked at by someone capable of putting a proper edge on it again.

Now I'm just waiting for the shipment to come so I can watch the DVD and start the journey. :tu

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That's EXACTLY what I got from them, just a few days back. Followed up by a whole buncha hones (which came in surprisingly handy already). It's a WAY different feel than a DE and I can easily see how one could get overconfident. I've only tried thrice, and this latest time the whole face (10 minutes ago, in fact). It seemed so easy and foolproof, just move the blade and it rides of the skin.

But ... beware overconfidence! (not speaking from experience here, happily, but it's pretty clear what that blade can do if you move just the teensiest bit longitudinally. Egads!

Welcome to the forum, I like you try to limit the amount of stuff I amass, though be warned we are in a minority here.

Hello and welcome.

Do it because you like it rather than for the results. A straight is one of many tools in your arsenal. Keep your DE handy as you will need it for the problem areas. At least at first.

Have fun and good luck. :D

Oh I plan to get the older razor sharpened, I figure two will be nice. The older one is a Dovo, not sure the model. The only model marking is "Burg Graf" on the scales. I just didn't want to wait for the shipping out, the repair time, the shipping back, etc.

As for the DEs, I definitely plan to keep them around even once I get comfortable with a straight. If I am looking for a 'good enough' shave, a DE can get me there in just a couple minutes no problem and I'm comfortable enough with them than I can go through it pretty fast without much worry about nicks or anything, so they definitely still have a place in my mind.

But ya, I've wanted to do the straights just for the fun of it. Change things up, do something most have no desire to.

Hey Recluse,

Welcome aboard! :)

You made some good choices! I also have the Ralf Aust 5/8 and it's a solid shaver. Good call on upgrading to the 3" strop too, IMO. It does simplify stropping for most. One thing though......don't strop before your first shave with the razor. It will come honed, stropped by Lynn, and shave ready right out of the package. Experience that edge, and if the first shave isn't going well, you can pretty much narrow it down to prep, technique or a combination. The DVD will certainly help those too.

Below is a vid by Glen, gssixgun that explains the shave test razor honers perform after honing. But, he also talks about and shows some good prep, blade angles, and what you should expect from a shave ready razor, and I think it'll help also.

:gl: and Good Shaves!! :)

Regards,

Howard :)


What is "The Shave Test" for a Straight Razor - YouTube

as for getting the old razor rehoned, send it to SRD! they do a great job. of course there are also many other members here who can do a fine job as well. btw, welcome back to the MANLY way of shaving.

Thanks for the link Howard, I missed that one somehow. Makes me want to shave right now.

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Originally Posted by ReardenSteel

Thanks for the link Howard, I missed that one somehow. Makes me want to shave right now.

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I know what you mean!! :D

When I didn't need to shave, I used to go strop a couple of razors.....just for a fix!!! :)

Thanks guys, especially Howard for the video clip.

One2mny, I do plan to send the Dovo off to SRD. Just want to let the pocketbook recover for a bit because when I do that, there were one or two things I had debated adding to my current order but put off that just might get added if I'm making another order anyway.

Hello and welcome. Were all here for the love of the shave. Its the most fun you can have getting frustrated.

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Originally Posted by SirStropalot

Hey Recluse,

Welcome aboard! :)

You made some good choices! I also have the Ralf Aust 5/8 and it's a solid shaver. Good call on upgrading to the 3" strop too, IMO. It does simplify stropping for most. One thing though......don't strop before your first shave with the razor. It will come honed, stropped by Lynn, and shave ready right out of the package. Experience that edge, and if the first shave isn't going well, you can pretty much narrow it down to prep, technique or a combination. The DVD will certainly help those too.

Below is a vid by Glen, gssixgun that explains the shave test razor honers perform after honing. But, he also talks about and shows some good prep, blade angles, and what you should expect from a shave ready razor, and I think it'll help also.

:gl: and Good Shaves!! :)

Regards,

Howard :)


What is "The Shave Test" for a Straight Razor - YouTube

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For what it's worth, both Don and Lynn recommended stropping the Aust before using it.

Well, got my order from SRD the other day. Everything looks real nice. Just need time to look over the DVD and go through the shave. Not entirely sure when that will be. Between errands and the job working me 11-12 hours most days the past week and a half, I've been pretty spent when I have time off.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Recluse

Well, got my order from SRD the other day. Everything looks real nice. Just need time to look over the DVD and go through the shave. Not entirely sure when that will be. Between errands and the job working me 11-12 hours most days the past week and a half, I've been pretty spent when I have time off.

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Well a other day or two Wont matter, make sure you have plenty of time, then double it twice.
Stop when you aren't comfortable and enjoy yourself.

Well, I have had several successful shaves with the Aust that I had ordered. Now that I am at least marginally comfortable with the straight I went ahead and purchased the sharpening service for the Dovo Burg Graf I had sitting in storage. I'll be heading over to the post office come morning to ship her off to be worked on so I'll have both razors ready to go. Also picked up a couple soaps, one I had before that I had largely used up (Tabac) and lost what little I had left in a move and the other (MWF) I've been wanting for some time now I just never dropped the cash for it.

I think after this I won't be buying anything for a bit unless something special comes up. Silly bills keep wanting paid don't you know.