Thread: A long introduction, first shave, and a couple of questions...

Hi everyone!


I've sort of been lurking around SRP for a couple of weeks and I've decided to introduce myself and post the results of my first shave.


I got my introduction to straight razors over 20 years ago when a friend came back from a recent trip and mentioned getting the closest shave he'd ever had from a barber using a straight razor. I thought that sounded kind of cool, and started asking various people I knew about straight razors. Eventually I received a (vintage?) razor as a gift.
Now, this was before the internet, and no one I knew used a straight razor, but I was under the vague impression that I at least needed a strop. So I went down to a store in the local mall called “Shaver's Place” and bought a combination linen and leather strop. While the shop's name would indicate the staff had at least a passing knowledge of the use and care of straight razor, I suspect they considered the razors to be the “sharp, shiny things” in the corner, and were more knowledgeable in the tobacco pipes, cigars, and male grooming kits they also sold.

Armed with my old razor, new strop, a slightly mysterious jar of white “strop paste” (which the store's staff had recommended, but could not explain why I needed it or how to use it), and a dim understanding of how to strop and shave – most likely founded on the rabbit from Looney Tunes shaving Elmer Fudd and old Three Stooges reruns – I embarked on journey of straight razor shaving.

It should come as no surprise that my results of half a dozen shaves where less than stellar. Even after trying a new razor as an augment the old one, I was still not getting good results. I managed to only nick myself a couple of times, but also managed to not remove a whole lot of hair. (Keep in mind that I'd come to what I thought was the completely logical conclusion that the linen strop was meant to be used after the leather strop. Why? I have no idea now.)

The razors, strop, and the paste migrated to under the bathroom sink and I regretfully went back to electrics and disposables.

Twenty years later, and getting ready to again deploy back to the desert, I stumbled across SRP. My God, what wealth of information!!! I was immediately bitten (re-bitten?) by the bug, and after spending a week scouring the forums and the wiki I bought a razor off Ebay (Item#: 380239424664. Hey, how could I pass up a blade etched “Army Special”?), and a basic 'kit' from classicshaving.com:

American Made Xtra Wide Mountain Strop with Swivel and Handle
Vulfix Shaving Brush Stand
Classic Shaving Mug Soap, Large: Bay Rum
Classic Shaving Mug Soap, Large: Sandalwood
Classic Shaving Mug Soap, Large: Almond
Authentic Pewter Super Badger Shaving Brush
Pre-Sharpened DOVO Genuine Ebony & “Silver Steel” 5/8
Taylor of Old Bond Street “Classic Bay Rum”

The eagerly awaited package arrived yesterday, five minutes before we had to leave to attend a friend's kid's first birthday party. Argghh – the timing!!
Anyway, after the party, I rushed home and shaved my first shave.
Loved it! I will say I went ahead and shaved my entire face, in complete disregard of the beginner's guide recommendations part of the wiki (I did read it, but typically decided to ignore good advice). I only nicked myself once, under my nose. So, all things considered, not to shabby.
I do have to relate this, though: Pay attention to the advice to strop even 'Pre-Sharpened' razors. After shaving my cheeks to jaw with the razor straight out of box, I noticed the blade seemed to be 'sticking'. I puzzled over this and decided that 'Pre-Sharpened' does not necessarily equal 'shave-ready'. 30 strops later, and the Dovo just glided right over my face. Much better!
I do have to practice under my nose, though.
Final analysis?
I seem to have contracted RAD. And I suspect I might be susceptible to HAD, as well, as I figure I'm going to have to learn to hone in order to keep my blades in top shape during my pending deployment. Sending or receiving razors in the mail over there is strictly verboten, and will only result in nice razors for the customs officials.

If you've managed to stay with this introduction this long, I thank you. I've been accused of rambling often enough.

I do have a couple of questions, though:

1. The strop I bought is this one:
American Made Xtra Wide Mountain Strop with Swivel and Handle

It came with two 3” lengths of leather, on black and one tan. Other than the color difference, the tan piece seems to slightly suppler (maybe?). What's the proper use of either side of this strop?

2. What would you all recommend for as a “should/must” have basic straight razor shaving supply kit for 12+ month deployment based on what I've already got, and with an unknown, but limited, ability to replenish supplies? Your thoughts would be much appreciated.


One last note: my wife and have have turned the house upside down looking for my two original razors. Alas, they seem to have disappeared sometime during the eight moves in the last 15 years. I'm pretty sure at least one was stamped “Solingen”, but it seems I may never know .

-axxter

Hello mate, welcome along.
In a brief reply to your mammoth first post, The strop looks great, but lacks a linen side. Looking at it, it appears that the fixings are screws. If so, I'd add your own synthetic "linen" by incorporating a length of safety belt.
You can strop with either of the leathers, but my advice would be to use the latigo.
As for the cow hide strop, if you treat it with CrO it'll be great for touching up the blade while you're away. If those are screws, I'd remove it & keep it separate till you need it, to avoid contaminating the latigo.

Will a means of touching up the blade (pasted strop or barbers hone) you appear to have the basics. Anything else is up to you.

If conditions are going to be tough, leave the strop & razor behind & take a shavette & supply of blades.

Hello Axxter,

thank you for the great introduction and welcome at the SRP.
As you did, I also ignored the 'do not shave the whole face the first time rule' and got away with it. Good to hear you picked it up again.

enjoy your time here!

Welcome to SRP! Here's a couple answers for you:

1) Here's a primer on how to strop a razor: Razor stropping - Straight Razor Place Wiki It's pretty much like this; tight strop and light pressure on the blade...and keep it dead flat on your strop.

2) As far as a 12-month kit for deployment, I would recommend the basics...

razor
strop
brush
3 Mitchell's Wool Fat (you can carry other brands in the field, but you'll have to likely buy about 10 pucks of the melt and pour stuff)
naniwa 3k/8k hone (maybe just a barber hone if you're pressed for space)
Chromium Oxide and small travel paddle strop

Truth be told, depending on where you're going to be deployed, I would leave the straights at home and live with a DE razor....all you would need is the razor and a 100-pack of Israeli Reds to make it a year.

Nice tale. I wish you luck in the desert. You might be interested in this thread:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/gener...ng-combat.html

Hey red96ta-

Thanks for the advice, especially about the Mitchell's Wool Fat! The last time the 100+ degrees days started in on their second month, most everything that could melt did (if it hadn't already).

I'll have to look into a DE, I hadn't really given it much thought. Maybe I'll just have to bring both.

Hi markevens-

I'd actually read that excellent post before.
While my experiences aren't as intense as Gregg's (I work Division satellite communications = somewhat of a REMF ..) I have to say that finding something that reminds you of home in a positive way is well worth the time and effort.

Who knows, maybe I can also find some converts...

G'day & Welcome to SRP.
I LOL'd hard about your start only because I'm sure I studied the same Looney Tunes & Three Stooges reruns when I started in the 80's. I had the same results

If you take 5-7 "good" razors with you I bet you wouldn't need more than a strop & a fine barber hone for maintenance for 12 months , providing no damage to edges occurs.