Thread: Hello from Central Illinois

I am new to shaving with a straight razor. I found my Grandpa's straight razors and started using them. The major cuts and nicks are still appearing and my neck and chin is still giving me fits. But I WILL master this!

Welcome neighbor!
(I live in Iowa.)

If you are getting major cuts and nicks, you might want to slow down and do a little (preferably a lot) of reading in the Wiki Beginner's section. You will learn a lot about technique and prep there. Do you have a strop? That is essential for maintaining your razors. Do you know if any of the razors are sharp enough? It may seem counterintuitive but a relatively dull razor leads to poor technique that can increase the likelihood of cuts and nicks. Of course in the hands of a beginner even a sharp razor can lead to cuts and nicks. The phrase "major cuts" is kind of alarming!

Have you watched any of the shaving videos here on this forum? They might help you too.

In order to help you get started, I'd be willing to hone up a couple of your razors for the price of postage. Just send me a PM in you're interested.

I just had my razor sharpened by Howard Schechter at The Perfect Edge. He did an excellent job with a quick turnaround. I had been shaving with a razor that was very dull. I have purchased a strop. The suggestion to slow down is a good one.

Thanks for your suggestions and I will watch the video.

Originally Posted by Utopian

Welcome neighbor!
(I live in Iowa.)

If you are getting major cuts and nicks, you might want to slow down and do a little (preferably a lot) of reading in the Wiki Beginner's section. You will learn a lot about technique and prep there. Do you have a strop? That is essential for maintaining your razors. Do you know if any of the razors are sharp enough? It may seem counterintuitive but a relatively dull razor leads to poor technique that can increase the likelihood of cuts and nicks. Of course in the hands of a beginner even a sharp razor can lead to cuts and nicks. The phrase "major cuts" is kind of alarming!

Have you watched any of the shaving videos here on this forum? They might help you too.

In order to help you get started, I'd be willing to hone up a couple of your razors for the price of postage. Just send me a PM in you're interested.

OK, good. Now that you are using a razor known to be sharp, that eliminates one of the critical variables. Now you can focus on technique and prep. Both can make a huge difference. Good luck with it.

Very generous offer anyways, Ron.I tip my cap to you.