Thread: I Am A Newbee....

Love the butter knife idea....

Originally Posted by gflight

Love the butter knife idea....

Welcome, I used that technique too when I first started it's helpful indeed but the real thing is much better. You'll probably cut your strop at first some don't get a fancy one unless you have got money to blow. I destroyed my first strop. Absolutely wreaked havoc upon it. I slowed down and focused and got better. The whole wet shaving thing requires lots of patience and lots of practice. If you're serious about it, you will be rewarded with a smooth face and some great quality personal time. I hope you do get in to straights when you're ready.

Not being one to listen when people say you can't or shouldn't. I didn't listen and started honing soon after I started shaving and looking back I don't regret it. I should have waited though and learn how to do touch ups. It would have saved me 8 months of frustration and only a few weeks ago I really got it. I wouldn't count the stones you've got now out. I just wouldn't advise you to use them until later and by that time you'll know if they are good for razors or not. A simple pasted strop will keep an edge going after it's been honed well.

I wish you all the best and whatever you do, do it at your own pace. People can tell you anything and 6 people can have 6 different views on the same subject so you gotta do you so to speak. Good luck and welcome.

I love the Feedback and always consider, "Feedback as a gift"...

I have been reading, looking, and speaking to the wife and if I still have interest and have gotten comfortable with the DE by Christmas I may get a razor/strop set from Santa.

Originally Posted by gflight

I love the Feedback and always consider, "Feedback as a gift"...

I have been reading, looking, and speaking to the wife and if I still have interest and have gotten comfortable with the DE by Christmas I may get a razor/strop set from Santa.

Great make sure to give Santa a little nudge in the right direction.

Welcome to Straight Razor Place! This is the very best place to find out about shaving with a straight.
I will echo others' sentiment that starting with a DE was a good idea. I did, and IMO it teaches you to pay attention to angle and technique as you negotiate your face, and places like your chin and jaw line, which is also necessary with the straight. But it also gives you a great wet shaving tool that allows you to go slow with the straight while learning, but clean up with a proper razor you are familiar with, so that you can still get great shaves while learning.
Good luck, and make certain to take advantage of all of the awesome resources here.

All due respect, I would take advantage of the butter knife unless you are loaded full of cash & can afford to buy you a new strop once you destroy your first one!