Thread: New to Straight Razor Shaving

Originally Posted by cudarunner

I've sent an email to a fellow mentor who is in Florida and hopefully close to you. Hand's on help is the best there is!

That's mighty nice of you thanks!

Okay, so my razor arrived today. It appears to be a George Wostenholm & Son, Sheffield, England. I am a novice at SR Shaving and of course I have never heard of this vintage razor. The instruction provided by Larry said its shave ready and not to strop it for the first shave. Looks like ithe razor is in decent shape. Is this a 5/8 Razor or a 4/8? I'm not exactly sure I will shave with it tomorrow.

Sorry some of the pics double posted

Well you've got your first razor, now the journey begins!

From the pics it's hard to tell the size but it appears to be between a 9/16 and a 5/8.

Take a plain sheet of paper and make a line, then measure down 1/2" on both ends of the line and draw a second line. Then from the first line measure down 9/16" then 5/8 then CAREFULLY Lay the razor down with the spine at the first line. That should give you an idea of what size it is now. It's quite likely to fall between the lines due to honing wear.

Enjoy the Ride! It's a long strange trip but well worth the journey.

Originally Posted by cudarunner

Well you've got your first razor, now the journey begins!

From the pics it's hard to tell the size but it appears to be between a 9/16 and a 5/8.

Take a plain sheet of paper and make a line, then measure down 1/2" on both ends of the line and draw a second line. Then from the first line measure down 9/16" then 5/8 then CAREFULLY Lay the razor down with the spine at the first line. That should give you an idea of what size it is now. It's quite likely to fall between the lines due to honing wear.

Enjoy the Ride! It's a long strange trip but well worth the journey.

Thanks! Have a great weekend

Got my first shave in today with my new SR. I defenitley need to get a 3 inch strop. I can't get the hang of the 2in strop. The X pattern isn't working for me. Only managed to get my cheeks shaved. Need to really get the technique down.

Originally Posted by Bleacherbum76

Got my first shave in today with my new SR. I defenitley need to get a 3 inch strop. I can't get the hang of the 2in strop. The X pattern isn't working for me. Only managed to get my cheeks shaved. Need to really get the technique down.

The Most Important Item Needed In Any Straight Razor Users Arsenal is: PATIENCE!
I would highly encourage you to not immediately drop using the 2" strop!!!
Slow Down and take the time to Slowly Learn How To Use It!

As I've said time after time This Age Old Art has a Huge Learning Curve and it takes Patience to learn it. Once it is semi mastered you will be rewarded!

Hang in there! Rome wasn't built in a day!

I will hang in there ..for the long gaul

Originally Posted by Bleacherbum76

Got my first shave in today with my new SR. I defenitley need to get a 3 inch strop. I can't get the hang of the 2in strop. The X pattern isn't working for me. Only managed to get my cheeks shaved. Need to really get the technique down.

Just thinking that you may be going too fast on your strop. Speed is not necessary. Slow down and concentrate on technique, not speed.


Mike

Originally Posted by mglindo

Just thinking that you may be going too fast on your strop. Speed is not necessary. Slow down and concentrate on technique, not speed.


Mike

And I seem to be pressing to hard