AmsterDan - New to Straight Razor Shave

Hi there,

AmsterDan here. I have been wet shaving for close to a decade now. It all started with an income that forced me to be frugal. As anyone would in such a position, one starts looking at necessary expenses and maximize savings. Quickly found out that quite a high price was (and still is) paid for disposable cartridges that are also wasteful. With this ordeal at hand, a question arose: "How did our forefathers shave a century ago?". Needless to say, the world of wet shaving, once thought to be 'old school', was not so old school after all! The idea grew on me fast and decided on a safety razor kit purchase; what if I told you that I am still shaving with this kit today?!

However, Christmas is nearby and Santa (revealed) has been generous this year by gifting me a Dovo Special (faux tortoise scales) 5/8" straight razor. I am stoked! I am new to straight razor shaving and hope to gain some knowledge within the SRP community. Once I do up some experience, I will contribute. Looking forward to it!

For now, get lazy, stuff your cake holes good and drink a few extra. Wishing everyone here a prosperous new year.

Welcome to the forum and the straight razor shaving experience. If you haven't already done so, have a read of the forum's library. It does have a good amount of information to help you get started on your way. The best of the season to you too.

Bob

Welcome to SRP. Put your basic location up for folks to have an idea of where you are at as this helps when you are in need of help. Guessing your on the other side of the pond. Having a new razor properly honed is very important when learning this way of shaving. Also have a second razor is important so one can be sent out for honing while you use the other.
Info like this is in our library so be sure to take so time and do some reading there including the rules.

And Merry Christmas to you my new friend.

Welcome to the forum.
I hope your shaves ares smooth and comfortable.
Merry Christmas

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Originally Posted by BobH

Welcome to the forum and the straight razor shaving experience. If you haven't already done so, have a read of the forum's library. It does have a good amount of information to help you get started on your way. The best of the season to you too.

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Thank you. The library is extensive and I shall wade myself through it with time.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gasman

Welcome to SRP. Put your basic location up for folks to have an idea of where you are at as this helps when you are in need of help. Guessing your on the other side of the pond. Having a new razor properly honed is very important when learning this way of shaving. Also have a second razor is important so one can be sent out for honing while you use the other.
Info like this is in our library so be sure to take so time and do some reading there including the rules.

And Merry Christmas to you my new friend.

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Location! Yes, I will include that in my profile here shortly. I appreciate the advice. For now I will bounce between safety and straight razor which also takes care in case of servicing done to the straight razor. Having said that, why have only one straight razor?! I am content, but I will not rule out that there may be another purchase in the near future. Thank you!

I know nothing about the land across that upper boarder, but i do know we have a few members up there. So if your lucky, someone may be close. But its a big piece of land.

Hello and welcome to SRP.
Enjoy your time here on the forum.
Merry Christmas.

Pete <:-}

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Originally Posted by AmsterDan

Thank you. The library is extensive and I shall wade myself through it with time.



Location! Yes, I will include that in my profile here shortly. I appreciate the advice. For now I will bounce between safety and straight razor which also takes care in case of servicing done to the straight razor. Having said that, why have only one straight razor?! I am content, but I will not rule out that there may be another purchase in the near future. Thank you!

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You are welcome but I'd suggest the forum's library is a primer on buying and using a straight best read before getting too deep into it.

I don't know of any members on the island but there are several in Vancouver and one up on Haida Gwaii. They may be the closest to you.

It is generally considered that it takes 3 months/100 shaves to become decently proficient with a straight razor. It may not be a good idea to bounce back and forth between a DE and a straight razor for that reason.

Also as a novice to shaving with a straight razor you will likely dull your blade more frequently than normal by poor stropping and or shaving technique. The would require more frequent honing of the blade to shave ready. That makes having a spare shave ready razor a good idea for when you send out your blade to be honed.

You could attempt to hone your own to avoid sending it out for honing. Unfortunately that may lead to unsatisfactory results especially if you have never honed a straight razor before.

Bob

Welcome to the forum.

Hi and welcome aboard. Depending on where the dovo was purchased it may well still need honing. Consensus is very few dovos leave the factory shave ready. The bst here is a good place for a second razor. Can be had cheap and will be shave ready. You haven't mentioned a strop yet so hopefully you have one as without you wont be doing much shaving. Good luck with your transition to the straight and know that any help you meed your sure to find it here.

@BobH
Practice eh? If that is what it takes to get good or master it, then I need to start somewhere, thereby happy to have SRP to my availability!

@eddy79
Ah! The shave ready statement haha. I have read a few things about that and thank you for the reminder. I bought a dual EdgeLogix 4k / 10k ceramic whetstone and a strop. Not much is known about this whetstone and I am fully aware that it is best to go with something time proven quality like a Norton 4k / 8k whetstone. And then I am stubborn enough to try something different haha. So, I will attempt to hone, strop and get it shave ready. Hair popping (hair drop test) will be conducted!

I have been using whetstones before so I am not entirely new to it; however, I am aware that we are talking a whole different (finer) edge here and this takes a respectable skill. Got some honing to do! Literally and figuratively ... I am sure this dad joke has been made a few times.

Stubbornness and straight razor shaving usually do not complement one another.

You definitely can take that route. In part I did but I had access to and old barber who still used straights and at each step of the way got him to check my honing. I also got him to hone one to have something to aim for. Still took some time before I got close to his level. I could shave with it but it was a longer more drawn out process and the edges I can produce now make those attempts seem feeble. I suggest at least 1 shave ready razor otherwise all testing aside you are still shooting blind at a target you have never seen. Could be close or could be capable of much more. You just won't know.