Thread: Hello from US ARMY in Afghanistan

Welcome to the site. K-9 MP here in the Marine Corps.

Originally Posted by Obie

Hello, Sgt. Tejeda:

From a Vietnam veteran, welcome to Straight Razor Place.

First of all, please take a look in the Wiki for a wealth of information on many aspects of wet shaving with the straight razor. Beyond that, here are some suggestion to consider:

1. Start with a 5/8" Dovo "Best Quality" or Tortoise shell razor. These are good and reliable razors. Make sure they are shave ready, or "pre-sharpened," as some sites note. Some of the vendors listed here carry these razors. It is important that the razor be professionally honed. Factory edges on razors, in most cases, are not adequate for the professional shaver.

2. For a strop, which is essential, try a Premium I Leather Strop that is 3" from Straight Razor Designs. This strop comes in two parts, fabric and leather, which can be replaced should you cut your strop — the hardware on the original strop is already there and can be fitted with the new leather or fabric.

3. For a brush, try a 22-mm. pure badger. Badger brushes come in four grades of softness: pure, best, super and silver tip. Some manufacturers lump "best" and "super" in one, and some use different descriptions. Generally, though, you have four choices. The pure badger is a good starter. Keep the price here around $35 or so.

4. Soap or creams make up a long list of choices. Here are some quality soaps which many gentlemen at SRP use: Mama Bear, Mitchell's Wool Fat, Taylor of Old Bond Street, Geo F Trumper, Provence Sante Verlaine (one of my favorites), Straight Razor Design, Truefitt & Hill, Tabac, and so on. You have many choices.

5. Truefitt & Hill, Taylor of Old Bond Street and Geo F Trumper offer some good choices in creams. Pre de Provence, Institute Karite, Musgo Real, Proraso, and many others also have quality stuff. For now, one of the creams or soaps is all you need until you feel your way around.

6. You will need some kind of a mug for your soap or cream. A wide coffee cup will do. You can create lather in the mug (should you use cream), and should you choose soap, keep the puck in the mug. Make lather directly onto your face.

7. Keep a stypic pencil on hand for nicks. The PX should have something like that, or the vendors here have them.

8. For aftershave, your taste will dictate what you should buy.

For starters — unless I forgot something — this is all you need. Most of all, take your time honing your skills in a) stropping, b) making lather and c) learning the ways of the straight razor. Don't rush it. Do your research here. Watch as many videos as you can. And ask questions.

Most importantly, though, stay safe, and come home flying the banner of a gentleman straight razor shaver.

Regards,

Obie

Obie, First and fore most thanks for your service. Your a true hero! What we do know doesnt amount to Vietnam. You did your time and now its my turn. Thanks for the wrm welcoming.

I will look at wiki for information and knowledge. Thanks for the sugestions. I have a few questions regarding ur comments:

1. Is shave ready, pre-sharpened and honed all the same ? If not whats the difference?

4/5. As far as soap or creams do u have any that u prefer or recoment? Granit im beginner. Is there a difference between soaps and creams.

Thanks for your advice and guidance. Hope to hear from you soon.

V/R

Miguel Tejeda

Welcome aboard from another Viet Vet (Marine). Thank you and all the other men for your service. I'm new to this stuff myself and am still learning and acquiring stuff to start the shaving process. I'm told it takes patience, so I'm not rushing into anything. Before you can walk ya gotta crawl and I'm crawlin'! Lots of info on this site so kick back and digest what you read.

Originally Posted by notiq85

Obie, First and fore most thanks for your service. Your a true hero! What we do know doesnt amount to Vietnam. You did your time and now its my turn. Thanks for the wrm welcoming.

I will look at wiki for information and knowledge. Thanks for the sugestions. I have a few questions regarding ur comments:

1. Is shave ready, pre-sharpened and honed all the same ? If not whats the difference?

4/5. As far as soap or creams do u have any that u prefer or recoment? Granit im beginner. Is there a difference between soaps and creams.

Thanks for your advice and guidance. Hope to hear from you soon.

V/R

Miguel Tejeda

Hello, Miguel:

How good of you to write. Thank you.

When the straight razor leaves the factory, it is sharpened (honed). That's what's referred to as the "factory edge." In most cases, gentlemen shavers find the "factory edge" not sharp enough to our taste. Consequently, these razors are sent out to be re-sharpened (honed) by a professional. Some gentlemen, also do their own sharpening (honing).

Some of the sites listed on Straight Razor Place offer their new razors professionally pre-sharpened (honed). This is an additional sharpening (honing) beyond the factory edge. Most of us prefer this method. So the razor you receive from them is "pre-sharpened" or, in other words, "shave-ready."

Also, some of the razors offered through the Classified ads here at SRP are listed as "shave-ready" to indicate that they are pre-sharpened.

When you buy your new or vintage razor, it is important to buy one that is Pre-sharpened (shave-ready). Eventually, when you are back home and are safe and sound, and as you continue to hone your skills with the straight razor, you will also learn to sharpen (hone) your own razors. For now, though, concentrate on honing your skill in shaving with a shave-ready straight razor.

It is imperative to learn how to strop the razor, since you will need to strop before each shave, and afterward before putting the razor away for another day.

The difference between soaps and creams is more a matter of taste than anything else. Some gentlemen prefer soaps, some creams, and some both. I use both soaps and creams, and can make luxurious lather with both. Eventually you yourself will decide which you prefer. There is no set rule here.

I suggest, therefore, to start with one of each type and use both extensively to narrow your preference, if you so choose. Or you can do as I and many others do and use both types.

For soap starters, I suggest Mitchell's Wool Fat or Tabac. Both are excellent soaps and will last into the next century. For starter creams, try Taylor of Old Bond Street's rose or lavender shave. Geo F Trumper, another British cream, is also lovely, but it comes at a slightly high price. You will not go wrong with any of these. Finish these to get a feel of what this whole ritual is about. After that, you have a big selection of soaps and creams to choose from.

For razors, you will not go wrong with the razor I suggested. They are both excellent. Also you need a strop, as I mentioned, and I gave you a suggestion on that. Others here have also offered suggestions.

Now comes the training in stropping, making lather and shaving. This is sheer fun. So embrace it.

You are more than welcome to send me a personal message so that we can talk specifics and monitor your progress. Of course, please continue to post your questions. The place is packed with experienced and generous members, who will go out of their way to help you out.

Stay well. Keep your head lower than your establishment, my good man.

Regards,
Obie

Originally Posted by Ulfherjar

Welcome to SRP, Brother! I'm here in Iraq and also just found this place. Everyone here is very helpful and be careful because that deployment money is gonna disappear fast. SRD is great for the DOVO/Strop combo that was mentioned above. I went with that to get started. As far as brushes, look in the PX for one of the Van Der Hagan's that we always use for weapons cleaning. They are boar I think but many have said that they work pretty well. It would be a cheap alternative for now. Keep your chin up and your head down, and come home safe. May God bless you and yours.

v/r
Kenneth

Good to go bro! hope tht u r on ur way home sonner than I am. Good luck to u ask well. I will take ur advice.

V/R

Miguel Tejeda

Originally Posted by Obie

Hello, Miguel:

How good of you to write. Thank you.

When the straight razor leaves the factory, it is sharpened (honed). That's what's referred to as the "factory edge." In most cases, gentlemen shavers find the "factory edge" not sharp enough to our taste. Consequently, these razors are sent out to be re-sharpened (honed) by a professional. Some gentlemen, also do their own sharpening (honing).

Some of the sites listed on Straight Razor Place offer their new razors professionally pre-sharpened (honed). This is an additional sharpening (honing) beyond the factory edge. Most of us prefer this method. So the razor you receive from them is "pre-sharpened" or, in other words, "shave-ready."

Also, some of the razors offered through the Classified ads here at SRP are listed as "shave-ready" to indicate that they are pre-sharpened.

When you buy your new or vintage razor, it is important to buy one that is Pre-sharpened (shave-ready). Eventually, when you are back home and are safe and sound, and as you continue to hone your skills with the straight razor, you will also learn to sharpen (hone) your own razors. For now, though, concentrate on honing your skill in shaving with a shave-ready straight razor.

It is imperative to learn how to strop the razor, since you will need to strop before each shave, and afterward before putting the razor away for another day.

The difference between soaps and creams is more a matter of taste than anything else. Some gentlemen prefer soaps, some creams, and some both. I use both soaps and creams, and can make luxurious lather with both. Eventually you yourself will decide which you prefer. There is no set rule here.

I suggest, therefore, to start with one of each type and use both extensively to narrow your preference, if you so choose. Or you can do as I and many others do and use both types.

For soap starters, I suggest Mitchell's Wool Fat or Tabac. Both are excellent soaps and will last into the next century. For starter creams, try Taylor of Old Bond Street's rose or lavender shave. Geo F Trumper, another British cream, is also lovely, but it comes at a slightly high price. You will not go wrong with any of these. Finish these to get a feel of what this whole ritual is about. After that, you have a big selection of soaps and creams to choose from.

For razors, you will not go wrong with the razor I suggested. They are both excellent. Also you need a strop, as I mentioned, and I gave you a suggestion on that. Others here have also offered suggestions.

Now comes the training in stropping, making lather and shaving. This is sheer fun. So embrace it.

You are more than welcome to send me a personal message so that we can talk specifics and monitor your progress. Of course, please continue to post your questions. The place is packed with experienced and generous members, who will go out of their way to help you out.

Stay well. Keep your head lower than your establishment, my good man.

Regards,
Obie

====> Welcome to SRP from another Vietnam Vet. Thank you for YOUR service! Great post, Obie.

Originally Posted by Snipersnest

Welcome aboard from another Viet Vet (Marine). Thank you and all the other men for your service. I'm new to this stuff myself and am still learning and acquiring stuff to start the shaving process. I'm told it takes patience, so I'm not rushing into anything. Before you can walk ya gotta crawl and I'm crawlin'! Lots of info on this site so kick back and digest what you read.

Many thanks to you for your service as well "Snipersnest". A lot to digest is right. I dont even have a straight razor yet and im already hooked.

Originally Posted by Obie

Hello, Miguel:

How good of you to write. Thank you.

When the straight razor leaves the factory, it is sharpened (honed). That's what's referred to as the "factory edge." In most cases, gentlemen shavers find the "factory edge" not sharp enough to our taste. Consequently, these razors are sent out to be re-sharpened (honed) by a professional. Some gentlemen, also do their own sharpening (honing).

Some of the sites listed on Straight Razor Place offer their new razors professionally pre-sharpened (honed). This is an additional sharpening (honing) beyond the factory edge. Most of us prefer this method. So the razor you receive from them is "pre-sharpened" or, in other words, "shave-ready."

Also, some of the razors offered through the Classified ads here at SRP are listed as "shave-ready" to indicate that they are pre-sharpened.

When you buy your new or vintage razor, it is important to buy one that is Pre-sharpened (shave-ready). Eventually, when you are back home and are safe and sound, and as you continue to hone your skills with the straight razor, you will also learn to sharpen (hone) your own razors. For now, though, concentrate on honing your skill in shaving with a shave-ready straight razor.

It is imperative to learn how to strop the razor, since you will need to strop before each shave, and afterward before putting the razor away for another day.

The difference between soaps and creams is more a matter of taste than anything else. Some gentlemen prefer soaps, some creams, and some both. I use both soaps and creams, and can make luxurious lather with both. Eventually you yourself will decide which you prefer. There is no set rule here.

I suggest, therefore, to start with one of each type and use both extensively to narrow your preference, if you so choose. Or you can do as I and many others do and use both types.

For soap starters, I suggest Mitchell's Wool Fat or Tabac. Both are excellent soaps and will last into the next century. For starter creams, try Taylor of Old Bond Street's rose or lavender shave. Geo F Trumper, another British cream, is also lovely, but it comes at a slightly high price. You will not go wrong with any of these. Finish these to get a feel of what this whole ritual is about. After that, you have a big selection of soaps and creams to choose from.

For razors, you will not go wrong with the razor I suggested. They are both excellent. Also you need a strop, as I mentioned, and I gave you a suggestion on that. Others here have also offered suggestions.

Now comes the training in stropping, making lather and shaving. This is sheer fun. So embrace it.

You are more than welcome to send me a personal message so that we can talk specifics and monitor your progress. Of course, please continue to post your questions. The place is packed with experienced and generous members, who will go out of their way to help you out.

Stay well. Keep your head lower than your establishment, my good man.

Regards,
Obie

Obie, many thanks for the deailed info. It helped clea up many of my questions. I will be sure to let you know of my battle scars once I get my straight Razor in. Take care and talk to you soon.

V/R

Miguel Tejeda

Originally Posted by cpgrad08

Welcome to the site. K-9 MP here in the Marine Corps.

FELLOW MP thanks for the welcoming.

V/R

Miguel Tejeda