Getting more doubtful with each thread I read...

[edhewitt]

Welcome to the forum, I imagine that removing the blade from the Feather and practicing your stopping with that would give a more accurate stropping feel.

[MADSTEEZE]

Great idea!

[Maladroit]

Your father's razor looks like a good quality solingen blade and I'm sure there are folks here who will have honed and used one. BTW, zwei uhu = two owls

[eddy79]

Hi and welcome. You will find that the straight will require better technique than the feather also. If you have been doing well with the feather then I'm sure with a little practice will will be fine as long as your stropping is ok. Good luck and any questions feel free to ask

[MADSTEEZE]

Thanks everyone.

The feather is definitely easier. I started practice stropping with the feather(blade less) this morning and plan to get in a few hundred strokes before I move to my SR. Definitely glad I took suggestion and started here. It's getting smoother but was a little clumsy at first.

My growth this morning is definitely longer than my usual shaves so on work days I will probably have to DE to clean up.

Anyhow. Thank you for the welcomes and insights. I'll find the appropriate sub forums for info and/or questions moving forward.

[rodb]

My growth this morning is definitely longer than my usual shaves so on work days I will probably have to DE to clean up.

I used a DE for cleanup for a few month at first and I would guess many of us did. I think it's the best way to go at first.

Keep up the stropping practice as it's the next most important thing to learn after the shave itself.

[MADSTEEZE]

Will do.

Thank you

[wayne394]

I was going to tell what the name of your razor was, but was beaten to it. You can also see from the inlay in the scales that they're original. Looks to be in pretty good condition. I'm sure that will clean up nicely. Should make a nice shaver. Just take care with the square point. The best advice I could give you is to try to meet up with a member in your area and get a stropping and shaving lesson. Good luck.

[pinklather]

Best of welcomes, Mad.

I've no doubt you'll do fine - including the stropping. I'm somewhat well known for strop carnage, destroying 5 when I started. Ed's counsel to take the blade out of your feather was excellent. Its likely you'll nick your strop. Fear not. there's lots of threads on triage for strops & the truth is - they don't have to be pretty to do a great job. The honorable sixgunner was gracious to post a thread on his strops - where the old, repair warhorse from 30 yrs ago is still pulling overtime shifts.

Being new, you'll be HARD on your edges. Don't worry about it - part of the learning. If you need some edge work - you can send to a pro or there are others like myself that'll do the deed for just return postage.

Another monkey to keep off your back is that you have to get baby butt smooth every time (or ever) to enjoy a good shave. You'll have good & bad days. You'll have areas that defy complete smoothness. The irony is that we forget that our former methods had all these issues too.

Six yrs later, I still get the occaisional nick, screw up this & that, have blades that defy honing - and I still love my shaves. There's nothing out there that I think could make this happen like the straight razor. From annoying chore to indulgent fun. No amount of blades on a piece of plastic could match this kind of satisfaction.

Enjoy. If I can be of help - let me know. If your travels bring you near Portland - hollar & come try some of my gear.

[MADSTEEZE]

Thank you again for the warm welcomes and encouragement.

I am committed to becoming efficient with SR shaving. I got good with DE and this was the obvious next step. The entire process is something that makes me slow down and enjoy something. The rest of each day is generally fast paced and then the wind down. My shaves are actually looked forward to and somewhat of a time of relaxation and meditation for me.

I appreciate all of you taking the time to chime in.