Thread: safety razor pro, starting again.

i've been shaving for years with a mach 3 and i was faithful to it. not only do i shave my face, but i shave my head about twice a week. now i'm starting again and learning how to shave all over again.

just 5 minutes ago i did my first cut throat shave and i'm realizing how much of a "transition" this is gonna be. i'm gonna have to learn through trial and error the different angles to use on different parts of my face. there is a couple things i noticed though that i'm not sure about. the soap seems to evaporate quite quickly. is it that i'm not lathering enough or is it the soap, or the brush since neither are not top quality. i'm meaning to get better soap and if need be a better brush. the other thing is that i'm feeling a lot of tugging and pulling and i'm not sure what to do with it. angles? more soap? not sure.

im glad i found a place like this since i really dont know anybody that can help me with my questions. thanks a lot guys.

Hello, Batman:

Welcome to Straight Razor Place.

Before you do any more straight razor shaving, I suggest perusing the massive amount of information and the tutorials in the Wiki.

The next question includes several elements:

1. What model straight razor are you using, what size, and is it shave ready? In other words, did a professional hone it — sharpen it?

2. What type of soap are you using?

3. What type of brush are you using?

4. What is your lather-making method?

I have scores of other questions, but these will do for now.

Remember, straight razor shaving requires skill. Technique will develop from that skill. Also, straight razor shaving requires patience and practice. All that will take time — and believe me, it's worth it.

Any questions you have just ask away and you'll have your answer in no time. We're delighted to have you with us.

Regards,
Obie

it's a pretty cheap razor i have to admit. my first razor and i don't wanna spend a ton of cash just to find out it's not really for me. i do know that it's 1045 stainless steel. it seems to be shave ready, but i don't know whether it was honed professionally. i have a local place that will do it for me. the soap is a regular mug soap and the brush is cheap as well. that is probably where im gonna start is soap and brush. lather making method, circles in the dish, circles on the face and then wipe across back and forth til theres a decent lather. i have done a bunch of research and shit. watching youtube videos reading here and there and also a few of the posts on here so i kinda know what the to do it's the finer learn as you go things that i'm getting into.

here's the razor if you can tell me anything about it.

Originally Posted by Batman

it's a pretty cheap razor i have to admit. my first razor and i don't wanna spend a ton of cash just to find out it's not really for me. i do know that it's 1045 stainless steel. it seems to be shave ready, but i don't know whether it was honed professionally. i have a local place that will do it for me. the soap is a regular mug soap and the brush is cheap as well. that is probably where im gonna start is soap and brush. lather making method, circles in the dish, circles on the face and then wipe across back and forth til theres a decent lather. i have done a bunch of research and shit. watching youtube videos reading here and there and also a few of the posts on here so i kinda know what the to do it's the finer learn as you go things that i'm getting into.

Hello again, Batman:

I'm afraid I still don't know what razor you have — what is a 1045 stainless steel? Do you have a strop? Nor do I know what type of a brush you use, or the brand of soap. Is this local person who hones straight razors a professional?

Forgive me, but the world of wet shaving with the straight razor is packed with all sort of nuances. For instance, there is more to making luxurious lather than just making circles in the dish and on the face. What's more, a new shaver in this field will need to commit a certain amount of funds in the beginning. You need not spend a large amount of money, of course not, but you must spend something for reasonably good equipment and products.

For instance, you can buy a good razor through the Straight Razor Place Classified for a reasonable price. These razors are mostly shave ready. The basics you need are: a good razor, strop, brush and soap. Again, they need not be expensive, but they need not be garbage either.

Straight Razor Place members are more than willing to help you with advice. Please ask away. Thanks for reading.

Regards,
Obie

it's just a surgical stainless steel. 1045 is probably just the grade of the metal.

i will be sure to get better soap and brush. i just wasn't sure how good mine are and im pretty sure that they're garbage. i have a decent leather and canvas strop. if the soap and brush and practice don't do it then i might go for a better razor. thanks for the advice.

Originally Posted by Obie

Hello again, Batman:

I'm afraid I still don't know what razor you have — what is a 1045 stainless steel? Do you have a strop? Nor do I know what type of a brush you use, or the brand of soap. Is this local person who hones straight razors a professional?

Forgive me, but the world of wet shaving with the straight razor is packed with all sort of nuances. For instance, there is more to making luxurious lather than just making circles in the dish and on the face. What's more, a new shaver in this field will need to commit a certain amount of funds in the beginning. You need not spend a large amount of money, of course not, but you must spend something for reasonably good equipment and products.

For instance, you can buy a good razor through the Straight Razor Place Classified for a reasonable price. These razors are mostly shave ready. The basics you need are: a good razor, strop, brush and soap. Again, they need not be expensive, but they need not be garbage either.

Straight Razor Place members are more than willing to help you with advice. Please ask away. Thanks for reading.

Regards,
Obie

Hi Batman

I agree with Obie on the classifieds! You can pick up some rather nice shave ready razors and not have spend a fortune to do it. I have several fine razors from there and have been happy so far..

Richard