Thread: Glad I Finally Got Started

Hey folks,

I'm located in the state of Maine, 58 yrs old and just recently had a straight razor honed by the folks at Straight Razor Place and have been using it for approximately 6 weeks now.

The razor was actually given to me by an ex girlfriend 12 years ago! I remember her telling me that it belonged to her grandfather. It is a Boker. After learning how to strop correctly I am now getting great shaves with no significant problems. It gets easier and easier every time.

I had read somewhere on here that it takes approx "100 shaves" before becoming proficient but I have to disagree with that. I think it depends on the person's dexterity and whether you are good at working with your hands or not. After my 15th shave I'd say I had gained enough confidence to know that I was going to be able to get the hang of it with little or no problems.

In the very beginning I was all nicked up with blood everywhere because I didn't not have the razor stropped properly. Once I got the hang of stropping and also made sure that I always had good hot water and lather and a face cloth that I could apply to my face after soaking it with hot water, things began to come together for me nicely.

I also learned a lot from watching the online videos. So . . . . there you have it. I wish now that I had started this a long time ago when I first got the razor.

But if I were to give advice to newbies I would tell you that STROPPING is Big!

Congrats on the great shaves! I thought I was getting great shaves after the first week, but they get even better as you expectations increase. If they're great now, they'll be spectacular after a couple months...and effortless after a year.

Hey Red,

Thanks for your comment. Sorry to take so long to get back and acknowledge you. Yeah I am getting pretty good shaves but it does take quite awhile. About a half hour to do it right. And I do notice that sometimes I do miss a spot or two.

Hopefully it will get better and better as you indicated. I'm just now beginning to learn how to shave "against the grain" so to speak. It helps to get those tough places a little closer.

Hello, Budreau:

Welcome to Straight Razor Place.

Anywhere in life, at any mature age, is the right time to start with the straight razor. Many of us came at this craft late in life and wish we had started sooner. Yet what matters is that we started.

So here you are, already on your way, with the willing heart and the flying spirit for a good shave with the straight razor. That's all it takes — and some seasoning.

We're delighted to have you with us.

Regards,

Obie