Thread: New guy checking in

Hey there fellow straight shavers! I started shaving with a straight about a month ago and am making progress...I think. I'm on Badger and Blade, but I lurk here a lot so I though I might as well sign up!

Welcome aboard at SRP. Can you give us some specifics about what you are using and how your progress is coming?

Congrats on joining the straight razor army.

Yeah sure.

I have two razors from whippeddog.com. One is a 1/4 (1/2?) grind 5/8 and the other is a full hollow 6/8. The 5/8 was my first razor and is now dulling. I have the other one to compare and it's a lot sharper.

I have a synthetic Tony Miller Strop and a whippeddog strop that has been severely abused (great smilies here btw!)
For software, I have a sample puck of Mama Bear, some Proraso Cream, Col. Conk soap, and two Goraj Indian shaving creams. I use a Body Shop Synthetic brush and I bowl lather.

Progress wise, I'm able to shave WTG and XTG. Still I spill some blood specifically on my chin and mustache areas. It's always there and that's really my trouble spot. There still is some hair always left over on my neck too but I'm worried more about comfort right now.

Sometimes I never cut myself so that's good, but usually when I don't cut myself, I don't get as close a shave. The chin and mustache areas always have a ton of hair left over. I use my DE to finish up.

That's all I can think of right now, let me know if I can share some more info.!

Welcome to the forum mate.


Mick

Hello, gull:

Welcome to Straight Razor Place. Please keep us apprised of your progress. Take your time and everything will fall into place as you hone your straight razor skill.

Regards,
Obie

Originally Posted by gull

Hey there fellow straight shavers! I started shaving with a straight about a month ago and am making progress...I think. I'm on Badger and Blade, but I lurk here a lot so I though I might as well sign up!

Welcome aboard!!
By the way, whats Badger and Blade?

Thanks for the detail. Sounds like you are well on your way towards success. Your razor that is beginning to dull - I would say that is probably from learning to strop. A well honed razor should be able to be stropped and shaved with for months - unless you are just learning.

Do you have a barber's hone or a 12k hone for touch ups? 5 laps on a barber's hone would probably bring the dulling razor back to shave ready. There are plenty of guys here that can help with bringing it back.

Let us know if there is anything we can help with.

^Not yet. actually that's what I was going to buy next. I didn't know which stone to get, Barber's or 10K or 12K.

Originally Posted by gull

^Not yet. actually that's what I was going to buy next. I didn't know which stone to get, Barber's or 10K or 12K.

IMHO - I would get a 12k Naniwa. It will be useful for touching up while learning and beyond, but will also be part of your set when you get into honing - and I would bet you will

I'm only a little bit longer in the learning curve. Others may do it differently, but I still get blood in the same areas. I can & do get bloodless shaves, but right now, I'm more concerned about getting technique down, than staying always bloodless.

You've been smarter than I. I quickly wanted to learn honing, and after one disaster (bloodless) and 15 razors later, I'm fairly happy with my edges. I used a C12k (chinese natural stone from woodcrafters - about $34). I honestly think it's excellent, but would have to agree w/ anyone advocating the Naniwa 12k. I had to get a replacement 8k, went w/ the Naniwa. 'Very happy with it.

'Hope the learning curve goes well. The quality of the help and the attitudes here have been unbelievable (good).