Thread: Drawn into the light

Hi All!

I've been lurking here for some time, and I thought registering and introducing myself was probably past due.

Until about 3 months ago, I was a standard, disposable-cartridge razor user, and dissatisfied as hell with it. I deliberately shaved as infrequently as possible, and only really made the effort at my wife's behest, or because I was beginning to get itchy.

It was right about that time that I graduated with an M.A. in English and entered the workforce as a communications consultant, and (unsurprisingly) my job requires me to look significantly more professional and well groomed than what I got away with as a student.

I couldn't stand the idea of shaving daily (or even every second day) with the god-awful triple-bladed torture device and smelly, from-a-can shaving cream, so I decided to explore other options. My first stop, and I suspect the first stop for many people who search for a new solution was a nice, DE razor, a brush, and shave soap.

I'm still only a couple of paycheques into the new job, so choices were limited, but I went with an ebony-handled, Edwin Jagger Classic DE Razor, and an EJ Best Badger Shaving Brush (with stand). In addition, I picked up a sampler of blades, and some Col. Conk's Almond shave soap. All of this was purchased from Fedrinhan's in Canada to avoid shipping fees.

The change to a DE and a badger brush has been a revelation! I actually look forward to shaving sometimes, and the scratchy, but wonderful brush. The razor is elegant, smooth, and I took to shaving with it like a duck to water. Everything I had heard or read about changing to a DE said there would be nasty cuts and razor burn while adjusting from a cartridge-based razor, but the transition was seamless for me, and the first shave I had was better than any I had ever experienced before.

Naturally, as with all gateway drugs, using a DE has led me into further lurking and learning about shaving. I now understand that there are far better (and more interesting) options with regard to things like shaving soap, though TBH, I'm not sure I buy all the talk about how big a difference changing from a $40-50 "best badger" brush to a $300 can be, but I haven't tried it, so I guess I don't know. Maybe that's just the pragmatist in me, comparing a shaving brush with a couple of weeks worth of groceries.

At any rate, my searchings led me to this wonderful website, where I have been devouring information about the world of straight razors as fast as I can. I admit it, I'm intrigued! Oddly, though, it is the idea of restoration that most interests me at this point, as I find straight razors oddly beautiful; the idea of taking an abused one and bringing it back to "work of art" status is deeply appealing to me. I have recently bought my first project razor for the staggering price of $2.86, so I won't be afraid of buggering it up.

I assume, however, that in order to restore razors, I will at least need to be able to test shave with them, and may eventually replace my DE completely, if I feel that the shave I'm getting from a straight is better than the one I'm getting from my DE. In fact, my biggest complaint about the DE is the consistency of blades; some simply work better than others, and two razors out of the same package can have different characteristics. It seems to be that the straight is the perfect solution for that problem, as the user maintains constant control over the blade's quality.

Anyway, this is already longer than most people are willing to read through, so I should probably wrap things up, but I wanted to say how great a pleasure it has been reading through everyone's helpful and insightful comments, and, though it may be a while before I have the funds to really enter the world of straight razors (I'm thinking that the poor man's stropping and honing kits may be the only purchases in my near future, unless I come across a nice quality, shave-ready, and inexpensive straight so I know what I'm shooting for with my restorations), I'll keep reading and learning, and hopefully start actively participating in the forums from now on.

Cheers!

Welcome to SRP !

Welcome mate!

You might be interested to know there's a budget guide in the wiki: Buying a beginner's set on a budget - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Be sure to read the other parts of beginner guide extra carefully: Straight Razor Place Wiki:Books/Beginners Guide - Straight Razor Place Wiki

You can also find information of restoration process in the wiki and the stickies on the workshop-part of the forums. Just be safe and make sure the blade you're trying to save is worth it...

Happy shavings!

Thanks, guys!

Thanks for the links as well, Ursus. I've been through a good chunk of the wiki, including a lot of the restoration stuff, but I hadn't caught all of the budget articles yet. Great reads!

Unfortunately, I suspect the wiki is correct in saying that honing is not for those on a budget; however, I'll see what I can cobble together to practice on, and maybe down the line I can pick up some better equipment. Who knows, maybe once I've put in a good chunk of practice I'll be able to recoup costs by selling the cleaned up razors...the ones I can bring myself to part with, anyway. I get the feeling if I become experienced at restoration and really get into it, I may be reluctant to part with my finished products....<laugh> My wife will be THRILLED...

Hello, Vulcan:

Welcome to SRP.

You have spent all you need to spend. Those Edwin Jagger brushes in that price range are just fine. I have several. If I had a Rolls Royce, I might consider spending $300 on a brush. I don't.

The Edwin Jagger DE is a fabulous shaver. For blades, I always recommend my favorites: Feather and Gillette 7 O'Clock Sharp Edge (yellow packs). None has failed me yet.

Next time you might want to explore other soaps, such as Mama Bear, Mitchell's Wool Fat, Tabac, Pre de Province. Then come the wonderful shave creams: where do I start?

Regards,

Obie

Thanks, Obie. I do love my EJ razor...I'm not sure I've tried Feather blades for it yet, though I get the feeling they came in the sample pack. My current fav are Derby's, as they seem to handle my fairly wiry beard OK; the only issue I've found is quality control--sometimes they're mildly burred and I have to put them through the stropper before I use them.

I think a new soap is in order, though after watching a couple of vids on the website this afternoon, I'm thinking it may be technique more than anything. I've been lathering directly on my face, and I suspect my lather may be a little dry as well. A lathering cup/bowl, and some extra water may be in order...but I just shaved last night, and I usually don't need to go two days in a row. I guess I'll have to wait until Saturday to play

EDIT: Oh, and as a sidenote, I wonder if you could comment on the scents of some of the soaps you mentioned. I'm quite sensitive to musky scents and avoid them at all costs. I've seen tabac mentioned as one to stay away from for that reason, but how do the others compare? My current soap is almond, and just smells lightly of cherries.

Hello, Vulcan:

Thanks. You are right about Tabac. Although a fine soap, the unusual scent is either loved or hated by shavers. I have yet to find comments about Tabac's scent that are not extreme on either end.

Mitchell's Wool Fat has a light soapy smell, which I find quite pleasant. The Mama Bear I use is unscented, and it's a great soap. Also, Sue Clark, who makes it, and who is a delightful person, has a wide range of scented soaps, too.

Pre de Province also has a pleasant and light flowery fragrance. It is similar to Truefitt & Hill shaving soap, which I also like.

As a rule, if I go with fragrant soaps, I stay away from spice and pumpkin and all that and opt for flowery fragrances, such as rose, lavender, gardenia, and others in the same category.

There is so much great stuff out there in soaps and creams. I've been burned a few times with scents I utterly dislike, but most of the time my nose's judgment has been sound. Stay well.

Regards,

Obie

Originally Posted by Vulcan500rider

Unfortunately, I suspect the wiki is correct in saying that honing is not for those on a budget; however, I'll see what I can cobble together to practice on, and maybe down the line I can pick up some better equipment. Who knows, maybe once I've put in a good chunk of practice I'll be able to recoup costs by selling the cleaned up razors...the ones I can bring myself to part with, anyway. I get the feeling if I become experienced at restoration and really get into it, I may be reluctant to part with my finished products....<laugh> My wife will be THRILLED...

Stones used for honing are expensive and you don't know how sharp to hone a blade yet.

Get a shave ready blade (or send the one you have for honing) and a plain leather strop. Otherwise you should be good to go. A nice cream/soap might be nice addition, if the seller of strop and/or razor has those.

So very true, Ursus, but I suspect that there's only one way to learn how to hone. No matter how much I read about it (and I have been), the only way to really figure out what the hell I'm doing is to get my hands dirty. It may, however, be a while before I can confidently put a blade I've honed to skin.

I may give mysteryrazor.com a shot, after reading some of the posts about them here. The razor is really inexpensive, and comments here lead me to believe that, despite their cheapness, they're actually decent quality and well honed when ordered shave ready. They also have a really inexpensive strop. That will, at least, give me a chance to get my feet wet without spending too much money. I think the next additions might be a home-made linen strop and some paste...though after more reading on this wonderful site, I am now also looking longingly at some new shave soaps, such as Arlington, and those Obie suggested.

You're right - slapping the steel on the stone is the only way to learn.

I have no info on that mystery razor other than they are chinese gold dollars and the seller is a member here.

Arlington is a great soap as is Mitchell's.