Hello from Zürich, Switzerland

Hi all!

I have been reading the SRP forum for some time already trying to pick up some knowledge. The reason I got interested in straight razors in the first place is that I have a sensitive skin and I get red nasty irritation every second day if I use Gillette. So in my search for a solution I found myself reading about razors. Today I received my first razor which is from Ralf Aust and hopefully I made a right choice :-)

On a personal side, I am Russian who spent first 22 years of his life in Moscow, then 6 years in Taipei and now in Zürich for 1,5 years already. Planning to stick around here for a decade or so :-)

Cheers,
Putinocchio

Hi and welcome. It is usually recommended to get a razor pro honed to start with. I cant comment on the factory edges from Ralf Aust though. The one I got was from SRD and honed by Lynn and is a great shaver. If you haven't yet check out the library for all the basics and starter info. Any questions just ask. Good luck and so slow and light. Ed

hey Ed,

Thanks for the suggestion! From what I've read, I understand that Ralf Aust hones them, I even saw the reference to German forums where he explains what he uses for honing. For stropping I am awaiting the delivery of the hanging stropping belt (will practice on something alternatively first :) )

Putinocchio,

I also have sensitive skin that could get red after using a Gillette. Moving to a straight razor has helped a lot. Two post-shave items that also have helped me are (1) using an alum block after shaving and (2) putting on a simple moisturizer after rinsing off the alum.

Hope it shaves well then. Many of us have sensitive skin but with the learning curve it may be a while before you shaves will be irritation free. Try sticking to the same routine and shave items for a while as it will make the process easier than having constantly changing variables. Good luck

The trick to irritation free shaves is mostly to keep your blade almost flat against your face and concentrate not on shaving the whiskers, but wiping the lather off your face with the edge. You don't need pressure against the skin. Flatten the contours of the face by using the fingers of the non shaving hand to put tension on the skin (watch your fingers aren't in the line of the shaving stroke!).
Welcome to the forum and best of luck to you. Patience is you best friend.


Mick