Thread: New Dutchman here (so far no luck with straight razor)

I had more luck last night (I always shave before going to bed - (several hours before, in fact, to allow the creme to dry before I lay my cheeks on my pillow)and using my grandpa's razor (which he had used all his life dand therefore must have beeeeeen quite sharp enough already) and it worked much better now, though there's still have room to improve - it wasn't smooth enough yet, from now on it just boils down to improving my technique.

Glad things qare improving for ya

Glad to hear you're sticking with it,as you mentioned your technique will improve and so will your shaves.. along with the other variables ie, prep, soaps, oils etc... you will find what works for you along the way

Hi Marco,

Welcome. Good to read your are getting better results. I used Vergulde Hand shaving soap long ago and I think it is not the best soap you can get. It is cheap but dries out on your face and becomes flakey before you can blink an eye (unless of course they improved its quality since the eighties of last century).

Your results will markedly improve when you get better soap or cream. Palmolive sensitive skin is very good, Gilette shaving cream in a tube is a good second. These are readily available everywhere in the Netherlands although the Palmolive is becoming harder to find. I myself use Proraso which is relatively easy to get form webshops. I am just about finishing one tube: you can have what's left to try if you like.

I live in Emmen, feel free to come and see me and take your gear with you so that we can see what furhter improvements can be made.

Welcome. The razors that come to the barbershop, are still not completely shave ready. Go back to Paul and ask him if he once gets back on the hone. Use a good pre shave oil and make sure your face is wet enough for shaving.
Sucses the volharder wins


Tip: By the Way. The barbershop has some good shaving soap. Go and drop by his shop and ask for advice, there's an open world for you when you walk into his shop.

I have dealt with him a couple of times. His after sales service might be better. Most of his vintage razors are advertised as honed by a barber so they should be shave ready. He sold me a shedding brush and let me know that's the way it is....

Originally Posted by Kees

His after sales service might be better.

It can always better, just as if you are reasonable people then I do think that he would come to help you hone your razor.If necessary you pay for something,but just think it's service

Hello guys. I also bought two razors from Paul, they were not that bad, but needed a little bit of honing (which I didn't know then...). I use De Vergulde Hand soap too, nice scent, but dries indeed very quickly. I have the De vergulde Hand shavingbrush as well, that thing needs to be soaked in hot water for a couple of minutes to get soft. Try to get hold of the De Vergulde Hand After Shave Balm, that stuff is excellent! If you live close to an Etos or DA (who isn't in Holland?) get the Tabac-shaving soap. It will cost about €15 (with bowl), but it is real value for money. I use my Tabac soap every other day, for two years now, and it isn't even half way (was that correct English?).
De Vergulde Hand also released an "extra fris" (extra fresh) shaving soap, I don't know where the "extra fresh" comes from, only a distant smell of, how should I describe it... WC-Eend?? But it seems to dry less fast.
Shave on!!