Thread: Greetings from North NY

Hello gents,

Just want to check in and say how much I appreciate your contributions to this forum. I have used this forum as a resource many times and want to say thanks.

Two years ago I bought a cheap, "shave ready" straight razor and a rather cheap 2" strop and thought I would give the whole straight razor shaving thing a shot. Long story short, I was disappointed. In hindsight it isn't surprising, but I was a little discouraged.

About a year ago I decided that DE shaving might be a bridge to get me to straight razor shaving. As I progressed down that route trying different safety razors, DE blades, brushes and soaps, I thought I had found the best shave possible: Ikon SS Slant with a Gillette Silver Blue Blade, Two band badger brush, and one of the six tallow-based shave soaps I have in my rotation (Mikes Natural, Strop Shoppe x 2, Barrister and Mann, Razorock, MWF). That was until today...

About the same time I decided to try DE shaving I decided to order a custom straight razor. With my previous straight razor experience, I found the scales to be awkward, at least for me, so I got a fixed, high carbon straight razor from Brian Brown Razors (see below).



The second part of the equation was to learn as much about straight razor shaving as I could from videos, articles, practice, etc. I purchased one of the SRD modular paddle strops (I have a rather strongly burning question as to why this contraption hasn't been around for a few hundred years; its pretty amazing). I also spent some time stropping that supposedly "shave ready" razor on that 2" strop for practice.

After watching Lynn's video on my first straight razor shave, I followed his instructions to the letter and only shaved my right cheek with the straight razor. I did the same for a week and shaved the rest of my face with my trusty Ikon SS Slant. I was a little discouraged as I experienced a fair amount of irritation from the BB straight razor until today.

Today I decided to do a three pass shave with my BB straight and the Ikon SS Slant. Since I have a thick beard relative to the sensitivity of my skin, I usually do a three pass shave with two passes WTG and one pass XTG. ATG is too much for my skin. Once I applied the same methodology to the straight razor I received comparable results in the smoothness of the shave with both instruments, easily DFS.

That brings me to this evening and I am impressed. The results from the straight razor are substantially superior to the DE razor. I have found that the part of my face I shaved with the straight is much smoother 17 hours later (i.e. now) than the portion I shaved with the Ikon Slant. This is not to say the DE razor is not good, just not as good.

Needless to say, I am pretty excited about learning to utilize this razor to shave the rest of my face. I am committed to taking it slow and refining my technique, but I certainly see the difference. I look forward to posting any updates, hiccups, or insights I come across in the weeks to come.

Thanks again for all you contribute to my knowledge of this inspiring craft.

Sounds like you finally found a good angle, it takes time , after a hundred shaves or so you'll get it all dialed in then you won't ever go back ,, most of the times guys quit because they don't get it right in the beginning or they got what they thought was a shave ready razor ,, in my opinion your brian brown is one of the better razors out there so your on the right path ,, stay slow and steady. Good luck and welcome. Tc

Hi and welcome. What a beautiful razor to start with. It will be just like the DE. Time and practice and in the end you find how to get the best results. Glad to hear that it has come together for you.

Welcome to SRP and good job on your shave. The shaves will get better and better as experience and technique improves as will your confidence.


Mike

Thanks for the warm welcome guys.

Peyton

You got a great shaver. You started off on the right track & just stick with it, don't give up like many others have because they tought it was going to be a piece of cake because it isn't but as long as you're determined to make it, you will. That is how I am. Once I get determined to do something, I do it & I stick with it. I don't give up. Go to the Library & learn to strop right & keep practicing because stropping correctly is an art. One bad move & you dull your razor. Once you get that down, invest in a set of honing stones. In the long run, you will find out that once you have these items, it will be cheaper than any other shaving. You won't have to buy blades all the time. One thing I would do is to get you another straight razor for a spare just in case you do have to send that Kamisori out to be honed, you will still have something to shave with. I love your Brian Brown, it is awesome!!! I wish I had one of those but I do have something I'm very proud of & I'll show it off even though I already have. What I have here is a Michael Waterhouse custom straight razor & you can get you one also custom made at a really good price. I think I paid a little over $400 for mine but it was worth every dime. I had him make mine with jimps on the blade, a French cut & I asked him if he would use honey horn scales. He is out of England & is also a member on here as mikew. You can also email him at: [email protected]. He also makes a Kamisori blade & you can see some of his work right here: Michael Waterhouse Knives. He will give you several options as to what you want on your custom blade. He does make some cheeper than mine but mine is a 15/16. He makes a 7/8 for a little cheaper. I am having him make me a 7/8 half hollow grind, French cut, upper & lower jimping, no shoulder & I haven't decided on a long tail or a short tail but will be done in G-10 Jade Green scales. I really like the long tail but I might go different. Anyway, welcome to SRP, the best shaving forum around & learn all you can. There is a knowledge of wealth on here.
Steve