Getting more doubtful with each thread I read...

[MADSTEEZE]

Hello,

This is my first post and the first night I am going to shave with a SR.
I live in California and bought the razor today at WCS. It is represented as having been professionally honed and shave ready. I also bought a strop.

My plan was.. Take my first attempt at stropping. Leather say 30 or so passes. The usual shower and shave prep. Then a single pass wtg shave.

I am overall new to wet shaving. About two months with a DE, and the last week doing single pass wtg with a feather artist shavette.

I feel pretty confident in the first go at a single pass wtg shave with the SR. It's a Dovo Inox Stainless 5/8 Olivewood.

I am becoming extremely doubtful with regards to stropping, and whether or not I should even strop before the first shave because it's declared as "shave ready". I absolutely do not want to destroy the edge of the razor. I have read instructional Write ups and have watched videos. It looks easy enough. I figured I'd be careful and take my time.

So my questions are... Stay the course and careful strop before my shave? Or shave first and strop before tomorrow's shave? Lastly, carefully learn to strop with my new SR, or practice on a butter knife?

My name is Alex by the way. I'm definitely a hobbyist with hobbies. Really enjoying the anticipation of a new pastime.

Oh. I have an heirloom I guess you could say. Found in fathers belonging after he passed. Don't know much about it and can't find much but plan to have it restored so I can shave with a SR that belonged to him. If anyone can shed some light on the SR that would be great. It's a Zuei Uhu 72.

Thank you,

Alex

[rodb]

Welcome!!

If it said "shave ready" I would not strop first. Go VERY slowly at first and maybe just do the cheeks and only continue if you still feel confident, no need to rush it.

Strop with a butter knife to build some muscle memory

[rolodave]

Welcome Alex

Going slow is the best course of action. You have many years to get to a perfect shave.

I would post your town in Kali under your avatar. There are a lot of very knowledgeable members there.

Here is a link to find members and mentors in your area.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/memberlist.php?do=search

I do not strop a freshly honed razor IF I know the honer. More to the point, I don't even wipe off the oil. The soap will take care of that stuff.

Good luck with your shave.

The name of your Dad's razor did not ring a bell with me. Maybe others will have some info. Pics always help. We like pics. Lots of pics.

Have a great time with your new hobby.

[MADSTEEZE]

Thank you for the insight guys. I'll go for the first shave without stropping. Tomorrow I'll do some practicing with a butter knife.

I'll update my profile once I log in from a computer. On my phone at the moment.

I'll see if I can post pics.

[MADSTEEZE]

[rodb]

Solingen (German) razor are usually very nice. I can't tell from the pictures how the hone wear looks. from the pics the back side seems more worn than the front?

[rolodave]

I see that too. Looks like the owner only honed the back. A bit strange.

[rolodave]

Alex

You can peruse the Classified section and find members who do restore work. Probably a good thing to do with an heirloom form your Dad.

~http://straightrazorpalace.com/classified

Just a thought.

[MADSTEEZE]

Another angle of the hone on that side.

[MADSTEEZE]

So I took my first crack it tonight. Took your advice and didn't strop yet. The razor was definitely sharp enough to shave. Not sure it was as sharp as it could or should be, but I was able to get a moderate shave wtg on my entire face without cutting myself. Definitely not a good shave but I stopped there rather than finishing with the DE. Wanted to end off thinking about the experience.

Overall I really look forward to getting more comfortable. Left handed is REALLY awkward for me but I'm going to keep working at it.

Thanks again for the assistance gentlemen.
I'll be around to do a lot of learning and a little collecting.