Thread: New member from Florida

Hello all my name is Leo and i just recently joined. Ive been lurking for about a year on here and youtube trying to decide wether or not it was worth the possibility of me slicing my face or my jugular and bleeding out. But i have decided to purchase a straight razor and give it a shot. I know ill be scared at first but hopefully ill get the hang of it pretty quickly. All my coworkers think im nuts and my wife put a life insurance policy on me just in case lol. Anyhow i looked for a starter kit but i wasnt really happy with any of the ones i found so i decided to piece one together and all in i am about $130 into this. I purchased a used shave ready union cutlery "our mascotte" blade on ebay, maybe even from someone on here. If anyone can give me any info on this blade id appreciate it. I cant seem to find any other than its more than likely an early 1900s blade, maybe 1920s. I also purchased a vander hagen luxury kit that has the badger brush, stand, soap and mug. Also proraso preshave cream, proraso after shave lotion, a clubman alum block and some geo f trumper coral skin food also a styptic pencil.
I dont have the straight razor yet but i was eager to shave with some of my new adquired products. So i started with a hot shower, then i didnt really dry the face and applied the proraso preshave cream. Then i lathered some of the vdh soap on my mug and brushed it on with my badger. Then i used a new mach3 blade lol. I shaved with the grain re lathered, against the grain, relathered and cross the grain. I washed the face with cold water and rubbed the alum block on my face. Then applied some proraso after shave and finished with the skin food. Even tho it was with a mach3 my face felt alot smoother even with my new products and steps i took. I cant wait for my razor to get here so i can put it to work.
Sorry this is long, i tried uploading pics and it just says 70percent. Ill add them up tomm at work, my wifi at home sucks. Let me kno what you guys think of my starter set and steps i took. Thanks in advanced!
_Leo out

Ok so the pics came out all weird. Anyhow also i havent purchased a strop yet, anyone recommend a good one?

Originally Posted by cobralucci

Ok so the pics came out all weird. Anyhow also i havent purchased a strop yet, anyone recommend a good one?

It's really what you like. for me it's the English bridle strop. I got mine from SRD. That's the one I use mostly but have 2 more. one old from who know when to another cheaper strop. If your knew to this sport you might want to start with a cheap one until you get comfortable using it . new guys some times nick the strop and after a while need another. just a thought. welcome to the sport.

and always question if its shave ready from the bay ,, if your shave turns out rough send it off and get it right , you,ll have a much better chance at success tc

Welcome!

Maybe look at the SRD Paddle Stop. Don't have one yet, but it is on my wish list. Lot's of options and you don't have to worry about letting the strop go slack while stropping.

As I preferred vintage, I did pick up a couple from ebay and was very lucky. You have to know what you are looking for and wait a long time for one in decent shape.

Welcome to the SRP Forum!

Congrats on you new hardware! Plus one on making sure your razor is shave ready. There are several threads on strops.

Here is a link to the SRP Beginners Guide to Straight Shaving. This will help you with the things you need to know before you begin your experience with a straight razor.

Here is a link to the SRP Library. This will help you with pretty much anything relating to shaving with a straight razor.

Here is a link that will help you find other SRP members in your area, just insert your location and hit search now. Note that the user name listing in red is a mentor, if you should need any personal help.

Welcome to the world of straight razor shaving!

Hi and welcome. If unsure of your edge when you start either send it to a pro or see if you can find local help. A strop with replacement pieces is good for starting with as you just replace the damaged peice. Some decent cheap strops are the star shaving big daddy and Illinois razor Co strops. Srd strops are good quality with replacement pieces available and also different leathers so you can mix and match. Good luck and any questions feel free to ask

Thanks to all for the warm welcome and advice! Question if anyone knows, my blade says union cutlery our mascotte warranted germany. But i look online and theres an union cutlery in new york. Are these 2 different companies?