Thread: Hello from Virginia!

Hello everyone. I have been wet shaving since December 2015 and was recently given 2 straights and have been trying them. I was told to go easy and just shave a small section my first few times, but I was able to make 2 complete passes the first time I tried. I have been using a straight for about a week and am still trying to learn the proper technique. I haven't tried an against the grain pass yet and I have been finishing with a DE razor.
I enjoy using the straight and would love to get a decent one to use everyday. Until that time, I will keep practicing with the ones I was given and try to master the technique.
Glad to be here and I look forward to learning.

Welcome to the forum!

Do you have a strop? Why are they not decent razors?

Welcome!
First things first...if you mention any article of The Pursuit, razor, strop, soap dish, whiskers etc., it is important to post a picture. Many of us have difficulty reading.

Originally Posted by dinnermint

Welcome to the forum!

Do you have a strop? Why are they not decent razors?

I did get a strop. I'm too new to know if they are decent razors or not. They are decent to me. I should have said a better quality not decent. Of course, the ones I have may be good quality. See, I'm too new to really know what I have or what I need. The one I have been using is a Clauss.

Originally Posted by WW243

Welcome!
First things first...if you mention any article of The Pursuit, razor, strop, soap dish, whiskers etc., it is important to post a picture. Many of us have difficulty reading.

OK.. Got it. I'll post pics of what I have so you guys will know where I am coming from.

Hi and welcome. Clauss is a well respected brand so if in good condition then would fit the decent razor category

Welcome to the forum.

Hello, welcome to SRP.

We are glad to have you. Once you fully submerse yourself in this "sport", you will never look back. Most likely you were given two good razors as the Clauss brand is a well respected vintage razor. There are a few things that make your shave much better.

A shave ready razor: Your razor may be shave ready, but you are too "young" at wet shaving to know if it's shave sharp or not. If either of your razors are pulling your whiskers, it most likely needs a rehone. Look in the classified section of this forum to find some top notch honers. This way you won't have to question if it's shave ready or not.

A strop: I strop 25x on linen and 50x before the shave and 25x on linen and 50x after the shave. Everyone has their own routine. Up and back on the strop constitutes 1x. This helps to refine and clean the edge. Stropping is a must for straight shaving.

Quality shave soap: This is something that is a preference, but a quality shave soap is paramount when it comes to wet shaving. That can stuff just doesn't hold a candle. Proraso (Bigelow is made by Proraso) is my minimum and what I judge all shave soaps by. It works in every type of water and is a quality middle of the road shave soap. If I try one that is better, I consider it a keeper. If I try one that isn't as good...in the trash it goes.

A shave brush: Gotta make a good rich and thick lather. Most of us use a badger hair shave brush, but boar hair works ok too.

Have fun with it, take your time to learn to shave...you will be hooked. Then once you have shaving down, you may consider touching up your own edges and maybe after that even learning to hone. It's an adventure, there is lots to learn...but you are in the right place. I would recommend finding a mentor. A mentor is someone who has been at this a bit who you can visit. You can learn more in a few hours with a mentor than you can learn in days or weeks by reading here. SUre, there is a LOT of info here too. Enjoy the ride!

The light brown is kangaroo skin.


The Clauss


I bought this one so I would have something to practice on. It was only $20.00 new.

As for soap, My favorite is TOBS - Mr Taylors, or Soap Commander Courage or Barrister and Mann Bay Rum. I have several brushes and my favorite is an Omega Pro.