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Thread: Bee Stings and Razor Nicks, thoughts from a newbie

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    Junior Member 35fromtown's Avatar
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    Default Bee Stings and Razor Nicks, thoughts from a newbie

    At the age of 50, all things in my life seemingly are going back to basics. I already had the mid-life crisis at 40, (the Harley has since been sold - bummer) so I know it isn't that. I just seem to be attracted to all things in their most simplistic forms. After 25 years of corporate life in the hotel technology world, basic and simple "everything" seems to have an uncanny appeal. Since I "retired" and became a commercial beekeeper, I thought if I could handle the stings of beekeeping, I certainly could handle the nicks of a SR during the "learning phase". After a week, I'm still good with that assessment.

    I read, researched, YouTubed, lurked, and then acquired. Thanks to Lynn of SRD (and all others) for what you have done and continue to do for us in the SR shaving world. Although there were some anxious moments at first, getting comfortable with hand positions, understanding how to get lather from a cake of shaving soap, proper hand / SR positioning on a strop (thanks Lynn for that Honing certificate) and keeping the wife out of the bathroom while shaving with the SR (constant questions are distracting and lead to nicks), I am enjoying this experience immensely.

    After a week of shaving, I have finally gotten the process of building a lather down. Now my wife will ask me why I bought that G20 from Georgetown when it arrives. Who knew it wasn't the smooth bottom cereal bowl, and just my technique?? The scuttle is more "gentlemanly" than a cereal bowl anyway.

    After a week of SR shaving, I finally did my mustache and chin today, in their entirety, for the first time !!!

    After a week of SR shaving, I finally went to XTG, and ATG the on cheeks and neck.

    After a week of SR shaving, I actually look forward to shaving each morning, and only wish my beard would grow twice as fast so I could shave again after my evening shower (beekeeping is smoky work and requires it)

    I am finding that aftershave balms are nice (never used with the cartridge/barbasol foam), even for a "country gentleman". My dogs were quite intrigued by the new smell too.

    So even though I have nothing to offer in the way of expertise, I just wanted to finally stop lurking and thank everyone here that unknowingly provided the tips, pointers, and links I used to formulate the initial approach, equipment, and vendor selections for my new venture into SR shaving. Hopefully in the years to come, I too may provide some guidance to a newbie (we call them newbee in beekeeping).

    So for the curious,

    Heinrich L. Thater Series 4292/5 B 25mm Finest Badger Silver Tip
    Dovo Best Quality White 5/8"
    Dovo La Forme 6/8" (had to have a backup in case I blew out the edge of the primary)
    Edwin Jagger Sandalwood Shaving Soap
    Edwin Jagger Sandalwood Aftershave Lotion
    Straight Razor Designs 3" Premium "Roo" Strop

    To this equipment I recently added a Ralf Aust 5/8 Solingen and a Lynn Abrams Modular Paddle Strop. I had to send the Dovo 5/8 back for a re-honing due to a nick I put in the blade (shave #4) somehow. I think it hit the faucet as it was during the shave that I noticed it. Must have been a wife distraction. Bummer. Figured another back-up razor was in order. Really, I'm not a hoarder, but the R.A. was out of stock the first time I ordered and wanted to compare the Dovo and Aust. The LaForme scales were unique, but took a bit of getting used to in the hand. Besides, the two Dovos were about the only two in stock at the time.

    Still working on stropping and shaving technique but am please so far with my first week. Long way to go, and looking forward to the journey.

    Mark

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    Senior Member blabbermouth Leatherstockiings's Avatar
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    Welcome to SRP, Mark. Good introduction.
    My first razor was the Aust 5/8 from SRD. I think you will be very happy with it.

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    Seeking Shaving Zen Prahston's Avatar
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    Definitely agree on the "simplicity" part of your Post... There is just really something about sich a basic design yet significant skillset learned in order to manage a SR that just draws you right in!

    Great Post! Thanks for sharing!

    Shawn
    -----

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    35fromtown (05-11-2014)

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    Senior Member blabbermouth
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    Wellcome to SRP,I have a question for you,what do you ignite to make the smoke?? wood?
    CAUTION
    Dangerous within 1 Mile

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    Junior Member 35fromtown's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by pixelfixed View Post
    Wellcome to SRP,I have a question for you,what do you ignite to make the smoke?? wood?
    We use little wood pellets that we acquire from beekeeping supply house, start them up with pine shavings (like for a chicken coop or horse stall bedding) we get at the local Tractor Supply store. About anything free of chemicals can be used. Some beeks scrounge for sticks, tree bark, and pine needles. Others use old burlap sacks. I don't have a lot of spare time for the scrounging part, especially at the rate we use the material, so we buy the pellets in bulk at really low cost.

    The R.A. should be here tomorrow. Looking forward to a shave Tues morning with it.

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    pixelfixed (05-11-2014)

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    These threads always make me smile - it's great to see people enjoying straight razor shaving.

    You likely did chip it on the faucet - I did the same thing and could swear that I'd be ever so careful. I use a sponge now and just wipe off the lather onto that - clears the blade better than shaking it too.

    As for simple, I did think that at first. Having amassed a 1k, 2k, 4k, 5k, 8k synthetic hones, a hoard of natural stones, dozens of strops both pasted and plain, as well as enough razors to equip a gang war - I'm not so sure it is as simple as I had envisaged. With this said, there's something so simple about the act of mixing up shaving soap, stropping a blade and having a decent shave - it does make shaving into an enjoyable activity.
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    35fromtown (05-11-2014)

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    Junior Member 35fromtown's Avatar
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    Christel, serendipitous that you mention the sponge - I just saw a youtube video ("Chimensch's Shaving Video" ) posted on the forum where a gentleman that used a sponge - and I said to myself - I should have done that so I wouldn't chip the SR ! On a quest for the right sponge now! I switched to towels but that sure could lead to a boatload of laundry!

    Ah honing, I think I'm going to hold off on that for a while. I want to focus on the basics, get my pre-shave, shave, and stropping techniques down to where it is more muscle memory or at least a bit more perfected, then onto the next step. I will admit though, I have perused SRD and looked at the assortment and a few vids/articles on the process. Hard to hold myself back but I'm thinking its best for now.
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    lobeless earcutter's Avatar
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    QUOTE=35fromtown;1336856]Christel, serendipitous that you mention the sponge - I just saw a youtube video ("Chimensch's Shaving Video" ) posted on the forum where a gentleman that used a sponge - and I said to myself - I should have done that so I wouldn't chip the SR ! On a quest for the right sponge now! I switched to towels but that sure could lead to a boatload of laundry!

    Ah honing, I think I'm going to hold off on that for a while. I want to focus on the basics, get my pre-shave, shave, and stropping techniques down to where it is more muscle memory or at least a bit more perfected, then onto the next step. I will admit though, I have perused SRD and looked at the assortment and a few vids/articles on the process. Hard to hold myself back but I'm thinking its best for now.
    [/QUOTE]

    That seems to be what wise guys do - Send razors out to get honed at first. I couldn't seem to wait .

    The sponge is a mainstay for me.
    Welcome to the forum.
    Last edited by earcutter; 05-11-2014 at 09:31 PM.
    David

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    I previously used towels too but with a sponge you just rinse it out and leave to dry - you can imagine which one I stuck with! I just use an ordinary dish sponge - it isn't beautiful but it works well enough and gets hidden away when not in use.

    You seem to have your wits about you - leaving honing for a but won't do you any harm.

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    Quote Originally Posted by earcutter
    That seems to be what wise guys do - Send razors out to get honed at first. I couldn't seem to wait .
    Welcome to the forum.
    Having bought a butter-knife dull razor and then simultaneously learned how to hone and straight shave, I'm inclined to agree that Sending the razor out to be honed is the smart way to go about it!
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