Thread: Hello from TX

I bought my first straight razor set last week from Straightrazordesigns.
Dovo Bismarck Spike Point Bone 5/8
SRD 3" Red Latigo Strop and Webbed Fabric
Truefitt & Hill West Indian Limes Shaving Cream Tube
SRD Black Shaving Bowl
Thater Series 4125/2 26mm Finest Badger Silver Tip
Styptic Pencil

I just had my second shave tonight and am VERY happy. I have prior experience using a Solingen Double Edge in traditional wet shaving.

I have so much more control with the straight razor. I used the same technique I use when using a DE. First, with the grain, second, across the grain, lastly, against the grain (~30,15,5, degrees). I also installed an extending mirror in my bathroom which really helps; instead of me leaning closer to the wall mirror. I can almost cut individual hairs if I wanted. It also has a magnified side. LOL.

I did prefer my Proraso cream vs the Truefitt and Hill. The other thing that I need to get a hang of is using the strop. I'm still shaky on it. Didn't cut it, but the edges do have a few 1mm nicks which don't look all that bad. I need to get the hang of not putting too much pressure, keeping the strop taught, flipping the blade, and keeping even pressure.

Welcome to SRP!

We're glad to have you with us!

It sounds like you are off to a great start, and thats an awesome set you have from SRD. Congrats, I'm glad you're enjoying it..!

If you want to practice stropping, take a butter knife and practice with that. That way you'll get the feel of the motion without damaging the razor or the strop.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Remember pressure control, you don't need much pressure and don't worry about speed, get the feel down.

One of my favorite lines...

Slow is smooth, smooth is fast

Go slow till you have a smooth rythum, that rythum will naturally speed up on it's own.

Hello, Geish:

I am impressed with your starter kit: all quality stuff. As my good friends have suggested, take your time honing your skill, and stropping practice with a butter knife is an excellent idea.

Now, make your daily shave with brush, cream and straight razor an event, a ritual, and immerse yourself in its pleasures.

Regards,
Obie

Originally Posted by Obie

Hello, Geish:

I am impressed with your starter kit: all quality stuff. As my good friends have suggested, take your time honing your skill, and stropping practice with a butter knife is an excellent idea.

Now, make your daily shave with brush, cream and straight razor an event, a ritual, and immerse yourself in its pleasures.

Regards,
Obie

The only things new for me is the straight razor and the strop. Like I mentioned, I'm familiar with brushes, creams, and bowls. I previously was a Double Edge razor user. I'll still use my DE set when I'm in a rush in the morning and didn't shave the night before. There is something soothing about taking a shower at night, taking my precious time straight shaving, and going to bed. Makes me feel like a million bucks.

Thanks for yalls' advice on practicing with a butter knife. I'll make sure and do that.

Thanks Obie.

I forgot to mention a problem. I noticed that the segment profile of the strop is "cupping" as I have seen the term mentioned before. When I perform the "X" pattern while stropping, if I'm not careful, the toe of the razor (square point) may mark the strop. If I do keep some light constant pressure enough to flatten the cupping, there's not issues. I did have a hard time using the X pattern due to this reason.

Is this a common issue. I know I've read of a fix before, and I'll find it. I just didn't expect it to happen to such a new strop. Either that, or I mistreated the strop some way where now it's not as it should be.

geish,

I may be misreading your earlier post, but if you have a 3" wide strop, you don't need to use an "X" pattern while stropping your razor.

I own a 3" wide strop and don't use an "X" pattern. That's the reason I purchased a 3" as opposed to a 2" wide strop.

With respect to your strop cupping problem...First, where are you storing your strop? In the bathroom? Try hanging it in your bedroom instead. The leather may be absorbing moisture. Second, before stropping, pull your strop taut and rub the palm of your hand lengthwise along the strop. Over time, that may eliminate the cupping.

Just my 2 cents. Wait for replies from other SRP members before you commit.

Hello, Geish:

It could be your strop is in a humid place. I have removed my four strops from the bathroom sink area to a hook in the bedroom. Try that. Do your stropping in the sink area and, when finished, return it to the bedroom.

Regards,
Obie

My strops have tried to cup a little and I found Lynns advice for getting more draw, found here: http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...-draw-tip.html also works great to break in and fix small problems with the strop. I think it is one of the sticky threads in the stropping sections. There is also a new video with great info on stropping technique, that was posted recently in the video sections, it is stropping a straight razor by hi-bud-gl, IIRC.

I'll be moving the strop from the bathroom to the bedroom. As far as the X pattern, I thought it was still preferred even though one has a three inch wide strop.

Thanks for all yall's help gentlemen.