Thread: Hello from Toronto, Canada

Hello Everyone,

I just decided to get into straight shaving. For years I have been using an electric shaver, while in school, I didn't necessarily need the closest shave. Now that I finished University and began working, I realized a closer shave was necessary, especially under my neck area. For this reason, I began using disposable razors - due to the cost associated with this, I have decided to switch to a straight razor. I was in contact with Larry Andreassen from whippedog to purchase the following:

Colonel Conk 6/8 Dovo Straight Razor
Rich Man Strop Kit Chinese 12K Barbers Hone
Soap & Brush Set w/Silvertip Badger Knot

Styptic pencil

What are the thoughts of the community, is this a good start up kit? I am pretty confident that I would stick with this method of shaving so I would prefer to buy new, good quality items that would last me for years. The only question I have is regarding the ease of shaping my facial hair. I currently wear my beard very similar to the below picture. Would a 6/8 be a suitable choice to get these angles, also, what would be the best shaving cream/soap to use for me to use to allow this look? Currently, I use Gillette Fusion ProGlide Clear Shaving Gel. Is there any clear shaving gels that would be suitable to use for a straight razor? The reason I would prefer a clear gel is that it allows me to see the facial hair below so that I can easily design the beard.

http://0.tqn.com/d/menshair/1/0/1/0/-/-/chinstrap.jpg

Hi Spinz, and welcome to SRP!

Your setup will serve you well. Coming from Larry, your blade should be properly honed and shave-ready.

As for your strop, it will be fine. Using it correctly will be the trick. Check out this thread for an absolute wealth of stropping information:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...st-2012-a.html

The Chinese hones can be hit or miss, so hopefully you got a good one. But with proper stropping you won't need it for a while. BTW I have a Chinese hone that works fine, so there are good ones.

You can use whatever shaving soap/cream/gel you like with a straight razor. *But* you will likely get much, much better results with a proper shaving soap or gel. Besides, you got yourself a silvertip brush, so you might as well use it, right? Good, reliable, relatively easy-to-find soaps/gels include: Proraso (available at Shoppers DM), Body Shop Maca Root Cream (lathers very nicely, smells great). There are tons of others available in Canada through vendors like Fendrihan and Classic Edge. A good, quality soap makes the whole process much more enjoyable.

These products tend not to be filled with harsh chemicals like you'll find in a can, and so are much less irritating. Also, they are designed to work with a brush, which the canned goop is not. As for being able to see where you're shaving, IMHO nothing works better than a straight razor. My advice would be to use the brush and either the soap you got from Larry or one of the above-mentioned ones, and lather up. You may be surprised just how visible your beard is under the lather.

And if you have not already, read through these:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/srpwi..._razor_shaving

http://straightrazorpalace.com/srpwi...ht_razor_shave

Good luck! And when you have questions, don't hesitate to ask.

Welcome!

I'm also in Toronto, got a great starter kit from Classic Edge Shaving right here in Ontario, comes with a great setup, Dovo best 5/8th ( or other options), styptic pencil, Tuff-Glide oil for the razor, nice strop, metal bowl, great badger brush (still use it) and stand, plus a puck of Col Conk shaving soap. The razor comes professionally honed prior to being shipped. I started with this kit from Classic Edge, and have bought several additional razors and stuff and had nothing but a great experience.

Welcome aboard!!

Welcome to SRP. That razor kit should serve you well for a life time. Do yourself a favor do a lot of reading here on the site. Its a steep learning curve but with time and patience you'll get the hang of it. I still find the prep is the key to a good shave.

Welcome Spinz
Looks like you are starting out well ... there is a wealth of information and people available to help you along.
Be patient and you will learn to love it.
oh, and don't shave drunk or we will have to call you Spinzscars
Mike

Hello Everyone,

Thanks for the advise. I'll definitely check out the Body Shop Maca Root Cream. As an update, Larry advised that a square edge razor would be easier to shape the pictured beard. He stated that the Dovo would be sufficient, but the rounder the tip, the harder it would be. I now have a quote for a sight unseen flawed square tip razor. What are the thoughts of the community on the sight unseen flawed razors? Ideally, I would prefer a new razor. I checked out Classic Edge but they seem to be sold out of a lot of the straight razors, the only square tip I see they have is Hart Steel Mirror Finish 6/8 which is quite a bit pricier at $289.99 vs $109 for the Dovo.

Would there be a big difference between the square tip and the rounded tips? Note: the tip would be left sharp on all razors.

Thanks again for the advice.

Hello Everyone,

I appreciate the advise I got. I ended up purchasing the original order with the new Colonel Conk 6/8 Dovo Straight Razor. I told Larry to keep the tip sharpened so that it would be easier to shape the beard, but at the same time, be less risky to cut myself. I'll let you guys know how everything goes once I receive the blade in the mail.

Thanks again.