Thread: Don't know what the heck I'm doin'

I don't know if I'm doing this right.
I'm trying to post as a Newbie if I might.
But I couldn't find the right place to hone
my skills, so I'll just start my own.

I'm a DE shaver, somewhat new to that,
and I'm pretty scared that with straights I'll fall flat.
But I'm in here reading and trying to learn,
so that if I start I might avoid razor burn.

I don't really want to have to learn how to hone,
I did that with friends knives, some on loan.
I'm not sure if I have the time to put that effort in
to become good enough at honing to save my chin.

I'm hoping I can buy a straight that is shave ready
and learn how to keep my wrist stiff, my hand steady.
I wonder if I buy a blade shave ready can I get by
with just stropping it if I am so honing-shy?

Anyway, nice to have finally signed up to be a member,
after checking this site out since last September.
Thought I'd check in and just say "My name's Ace"
and can you guys give me some help with my face?

Ace,

Excellent introduction!

I suggest you read the wiki,
or things could get sticky.

A hone you will not need to start,
but a quality strop is an essential part.

You will need a shave ready razor and the will to learn,
Check the classifieds as there less cash you will burn.

Okay, in all seriousness, sorry for my poor rhymes. Read the wiki and read the forum. I suggest using the classifieds for your first purchase as you can get a very inexpensive razor, shave ready to get started! Good luck!

Wow, very nice guys...
Reading it, hurts my eyes.

OK, enough of that....Nice introduction Ace, very original...

Welcome to the forum. this is a great place to start, check out the wiki, as mentioned.
the classifieds are awesome, and let us know if you have any questions...

Rich

Thanks, guys, for the welcome, it felt great,
and I can't wait to get to shaving straight.
I'm a bit concerned about my honing skills,
and I'm wondering if I can avoid the frills.

Can't I just buy a nice one, honed and shave ready?
How long will that edge last and still shave steady?
Is stropping going to make that edge function a while?
Will I still be able to shave straight and then smile?

Or will honing just eventually have to be part of the deal?
I'd love to learn how but don't feel like I have the zeal.
I've got so many hobbies and don't need any more.
I'm concerned that I'd view stropping as a chore.

So my question to all is can I avoid honing completely,
and just strop my way to straight shaving sweetly?
How long would it be until my stropping fails to work,
and the results turns my smiling face into a smirk.

You do not need to hone ever if you do not want to! You can get by adequately with just a strop for probably a few months. That would of course depend on the razor, your shave technique and your stropping technique. You could ruin an edge from incorrect stropping.

You could always send your razors out to be honed every so often. You could also use various pastes to "touch up" your razors and keep them "shave ready." There are inexpensive honing options such as barber hones that could be had for under $30 and could keep your edge shave ready for a very, very long time.

Focus on technique
The first few shaves won't be great
Patience is the key

I haven't found where I can read up on this "Thanks" thing. If you can direct me toward it, that would be nice. I have read your Journal, one of the first things I read here, although at the time I was not registered and unable to comment. I find the sense of "journey" extremely attractive in wet shaving, first in DE, and now as I prepare to take the plunge in Straights. I still remember my fear and intimidation not more than a month ago when I first put real blade to face. I thought your Journal was nicely done and a real guide for those who come after you here, like me.

I'm not against learning how to hone. I was able to sharpen knives a decade ago, sometimes to razor sharpness, and enjoyed it. I'm just too busy now, with work, family, sports, hobbies, and now this and just don't want to commit the time to it. I certainly respect the people who do it. I suppose what I will eventually do is get a nice shave ready straight and a strop and see where that takes me. It may take me a few more weeks to nail down the DE experience before making the transition. Straight shaving is pulling me, but I'm trying to take it slow.

Just to put it in perspective, I started shaving with a straight about 8 months ago. I just started to really hone within the last month. I went about 6 or 7 months without honing....other than the occasional touch up on the previously mentioned barber hone.

Honing is probably the last frontier in the shave experience. You can certainly get started, and go on forever if you so choose,with just a straight and a strop.

Fuzzy Wuzzy was a bear.....