Thread: Getting ready

Hello all, I have been reading here for a few days and really enjoy all the great info. I am geting ready to start straight shaving in the next couple days. Just got in a Dovo set from SRD and looking forward to breaking it ou. I have been wet shaving for years, and for the last couple have been DE and injector style single blade.

I am sure I will have plenty of questions as I go, just hope first shave I don't slice my face off, LOL.

Craig

Welcome to SRP...it sounds like you're on the right track. Just don't expect the world's greatest results the first time out....as you, I'm sure, have already read, it's got a bit of learning to it.

Welcome.. good luck with your first run

the razor from SRD will be shave ready, so just use it right out of the box... wouldn't want to turn your edge on your strop before you get a chance to feel what a straight should feel like.

All the best

Dave

Hello, Craig:

Welcome to Straight Razor Place, the domain of gentlemen shavers.

Lather up and begin slowly, a little section on your face at a time. Have patience. Take your time. Enjoy the process. Keep the pressure light, as you do on the double edge. And, yes, you have mounds of research material at this address. If you need more, however, post your question and you'll have your answer in no time.

Straight razor shaving is an art — and we have a bit of the artist in all of us. Good luck. We're all glad you have joined us for one of life's great pleasures.

Regards,

Obie

Thanks everyone. I plan on following the one day at a time rule. Start one day with sideburn down to chin and work my way up each day.

Hello, Craig:

Good for you. That's the way to do it. Before you know it, you will be an accomplished straight razor shaver. I'm pulling for you.

Regards,

Obie

I do have 1 question the strop I got has 2 straps on it. 1 is a woven material then the other is leather on 1 side and not sure what on the other. Am I supposed to use the woven side first then go to the other strap and use the leather?

Hello, Craig:

Strop on the linen side first and then the leather. Straight shavers use varying number of strokes on each side. There is no right or wrong number on this. Eventually you will develop your own method and stroke pattern.

I usually do 25 to 30 on linen and 50 to 75 on leather. For my Wacker razors, which tend to have hard steel, I change the ration to 50 and 100.

After the shave is over and the razor cleaned and completely dried, I strop 15 to 20 strokes on the linen side and about 30 on the leather. Then I oil the razor, leave it partly open for a couple hours before putting it away in the rack.

Experiment with what best works for you. You're on your way.

Regards,

Obie

Originally Posted by Obie

After the shave is over and the razor cleaned and completely dried, I strop 15 to 20 strokes on the linen side and about 30 on the leather. Then I oil the razor, leave it partly open for a couple hours before putting it away in the rack.

I didn't know about this part. I know it takes more time when you use a straight razor. Seems like they require a lot of maintenance.

Originally Posted by PeterS1

I didn't know about this part. I know it takes more time when you use a straight razor. Seems like they require a lot of maintenance.

Hey Peter, welcome to SRP.

The maintenance part actually doesn't take that long once you get some practice. maybe 2 minutes on the strop before your shave, then a quick wipedown with a tissue after. Not that much trouble at all.

And the shaves, for me, only take about 10 minutes. It's all a matter of getting used to it!

Good luck, and enjoy!