Thread: Howdy from Kansas

I have been a lurker on this forum and page for quite a while. Have been wetshaving for several years now. Got rid of cartridges and canned foam a while ago and haven't looked back. I did make one attempt at straight razor shaving several years ago, but didn't really research it before jumping in. Let's just say it didn't work out as well as I hoped. I kept using the brush and soap, and went with a series of vintage double edge razors. My favorites are a pre-war fat handle tech, '53 steel Super Speed black tip, and my Slim adjustable.

I started shaving with a Feather Artist Club SS Kamasori style in March, and have about 30 shaves on it now. I am able to get a consistent near DFS with two passes, and usually a little touch up on my neck with a DE. A few weeks ago, I picked up a Wade and Butcher at an estate sale. It is a 5/8 "The Celebrated" marked with Sheffield, England in home made wood scales. I sent it out to be honed and just got it back today.


So I am planning tomorrow to be my first straight razor shave. I am pretty excited about it.

My wife thinks I'm nuts.

Good luck on your first straight razor shave tomorrow, Dryguch! And welcome to SRP.

Greetings,

And, Welcome to the forum!

Being close to Kansas City you'll want to watch for get togethers. They generally have one annually with a good attendance. Also a number of knowledgable members in that area.

Here's a link to the get together thread. Get Togethers and Meetings

on the shave. If you're handling the Feather you shouldn't have too many problems with the W&B except the different feel with the non-rigid set up of the scales.

Enjoy the forum!!

Best Regards,

Howard

Hi and welcome. Good luck with your shave. Any questions feel free to ask

First straight razor shave went awesome!


Went fairly slow on the stropping on the straight, but I am sure it will speed up. Love the sound it makes. The grip on this is different than the Feather Artist Club Kamasori I have been using, but it is easier to shave around facial hair. I did two passes with the straight, N/S and S/N. Honestly had a DFS, almost BBS everywhere except on my chin. I have a horseshoe mustache, so it is challenging to get between the bars. As long as I concentrated very hard, I didn’t have trouble using my left hand. The point on this razor made it much easier than the Feather to get next to facial hair.

The blade on the W&B felt incredibly sharp, but nowhere near as harsh as the Feather. Even with the Kai blades, the Feather felt harsh on the skin. This blade didn’t feel as harsh, but pulled the whiskers off just as well. I am going to agree with a bunch of stuff I have read, and say it is actually easier to shave with a straight than the Feather AC. Not sure how much of that is because I have about 30 shaves with the shavette under my belt already.

I did a third pass with my Red Tip, mainly to get the area on my chin. I also tried J-hooking and got the spot under my ears on both sides really clean. Whoo hoo. The alum block had some bite today, and there were three nicks on my chin. Overall, I’ll take it. DFS, almost BBS! I may be putting the Feather away for a while. This shave feels awesome, as in the closest I have ever gotten, and I can’t wait to see how it holds up.

Don't feel like you have to go fast stropping , I've been doing this awhile and I still go pretty slow, stropping is one of the most important factors in keeping that buttery smooth edge working. So just remember it ain't a race. Your off to a good start , since you stropped a new honing job before you shaved , which usually don't do till you see how the edge is , so you did alright if it shaved well. Welcome. Tc

Thanks! I am pretty happy with it over all. I have been using and making strops for a long time, but usually the edge profile of what I am stropping is more apple seed shaped then a straight razor. Its just a matter of retraining my hand for a straight razor and not letting it lift the spine. I also have a second razor I had honed at the same time to keep as a comparison. Once I start maintaining the edge with my stones we will see how I am really doing.

I haven't said "Hi" in a while, so I better get busy. Hi, and welcome aboard.

You have several guys in KC with a lot of experience who will help you out. All are great guys who can put a wicked edge on a razor.

Nun2sharp
Modine
Sham
Walleyeman

Welcome to the SRP Forum! I'm glad that it's all working well for you. Nice razors and kit, BTW.