I'm new but very excited about learning the art

Hello all,

I've been using an electric shaver (Panasonic Linear Electro-magnetic models) for about 15 years. In August of 2010, I started to consider a new model and began my research on the internet for the best/closest possible shave. Low and behold I came across an article about how the closest shaves come from the past "what your grandfather used to do" using Straight or DE razors. Thus I began my path to enlightenment.

My first purchase was a DE razor, shaving cream, alum bar, badger brush & stand from The Art of Shaving. As I was on a business trip and didn't want to scar my face, I only tried the DE on weekends. I did however use the cream with my electric shaver and the result was the closest and most comfortable shave I have had (with the electric shaver). I am happy to say that on my weekend DE trials, my use of the alum bar was minimal. However, my results were not as expected and I still got a closer shave from my electric shaver. Regardless, I persisted and grew more confident and started to get better results on the flat surfaces of my face. My neck, upper-lip and chin area still left something to be desired as I could never get a shave as close as my electric shaver without constantly looking like the result of someone using the area as a pin cushion.

Frustrated, I took a scary leap into the world of straight blades and visited The Art of Shaving to purchase my 1st TI straight razor along with a Dovo Strop. I've got my fair share of cuts but interestingly was able to achieve fantastic results on the flat surfaces of my face much quicker than with the DE razor. I've been shaving with the straight blade for almost 3 weeks now and am getting more comfortable with each use but again, not getting the results I would like in the neck, upper-lip and chin area. Not giving up yet. I fell in love with the idea of traditional shaving and am set on making it work.

Been researching on how to maintain the equipment and have already purchased (still waiting to receive): additional straight blades, 4k, 8k, & 12k Japanese Hones, travel strops, travel case & Dovo oil (to prevent the blade from rusting). As you can tell, I'm very excited about the whole process of maintaing the blades to it's best possible edge and the satisfaction & pleasure I'll get from shaving with an edge I was able to create.

Through my research, I've learned that shave-ready from the manufacturer does not necessarily mean it comes with the best edge. I'm looking forward to honing one of the inexpensive blades I purchased on ebay to develop the skill and see how much sharper a properly honed blade could be compared to a shave-ready one from the manufacturer.

So glad I found SRP as you have unbiased views, a deep affection for the art and years of knowledge I crave. I have a few questions that I am sure that members of SRP can help me with:

1) I am reading conflicting information about when the blade should be stropped. All state that you should strop before shaving but here's where they differ - Some state that you should also strop after the shave and some state that since the blade needs to "rest" and the edge will "spring" back to its straightness in about 48 hours, that you should not strop after shaving. Which is recommended?

2) Need a little help understanding the different pastes for strops, which surface they should be applied to, and when to use them.

3) Currently, my only experience with good shaving products is what I had purchased at The Art of Shaving. Although I am happy with the cream I acquired there, I'm always looking for better products. Any suggestions?

4) What is the difference between soaps and creams?

5) Finally, if anyone has suggestions on how to shorten the learning curve of my "difficult" areas, I'm all ears.

Thank you all very much and have a very Merry Christmas!
Michael

First, welcome. That is a lot of questions and those questions have a lot of variance in the answers. I'll just shoot from the hip and just provide my honest and very personal answers to all your questions. Ready, set . . . .

Go:

1) Strop the blade before every shave to improve the quality of the shave, strop afterward to clean and dry the edge, if desired. There are other ways to clean and dry a razor but few as simple and efficient toward the edge.

2) Only use pastes if you have a second strop and want a honing medium other than, or finer, than the hones you own.

3) I prefer Taylor's Cream from Classicshaving.com. I also like Proarso (although it doesn't lather up as well).

4) Soaps are slicker than creams, but creams provide more protection. I usually use a little of both, every shave. This hobby is not about decisions for me, but more about elegance, perfection, and pampering.

5) Grow a goatee. Sorry, that is what I do. I would suggest shaving that area every other day. Strangely, for me, what really works is waiting till after I shave, let the face dry up, then finish any missing whiskers. The razor "catches" all the hairs it missed when my face as "lubed" up. Watch for nicks though.

The other thing to consider is that the area needs more time to soak. Go out and re-strop the razor before attacking the goatee area while the soap works on the whiskers. Consider applying hotter water to the area too and letting the hot water soak for 30 seconds before gently shaving that area.

I use a second, water only pass, with hot water, which eliminates the "lubing" properties so the razor doesn't run over the top of those whiskers as easily. That way, even a dulling blade will give me a great shave. The blade edge must be very smooth from a high grit hone and good stropping though for this kind of work.

One last point, do not ever try a scything motion on your chin.

+1 on the welcome and the answers provided. As far as making the speeding up the learning curve is concerned: Don't know any way of doing that because I am still learning after a year, and I think that continues forever.
Take your time, eventually you will learn your face and your razors and get a wonderful shave. It takes time so just have patience and in the end it is worth the journey.

Enjoy

Hello, just a comment

1. Abrasives pastes are applied to a separate hanging strop or paddle strop, not your daily strop. They are used only when the edge starts to pull a bit, not daily or weekly. When the pasted strop stops renewing the edge then it is time to go to the hones.

2. Soaps and creams are a very individualistic thing. You will have to try a few to start zeroing in on what suits you best.

Just my $.02,:)

Thank you gentlemen.......and Merry Christmas! Really wasn't expecting anyone to answer today.

The "water-only" last pass shave worked wonders. Will be trying the products suggested and do a review and compare them to the cream I got from the Art of Shaving.

Also, thank you for clarifying the pastes on the separate strop and when to use it. Almost made the mistake to use it on my daily strop.

You guys are great. Thanks for sharing.

I don't think it's been said yet, so I'll say it. I doubt your razor is shave ready, and you would do yourself a world of good to look under the member services section of the classifieds for someone close by to hone it up for you properly.

Here is the deal, getting a good shave with a straight doesn't simply come with a sharp razor, but proper technique as well. A beginner will never have good technique, but the least you can do is get a properly sharpened razor. A beginner with a less than shave ready razor is going to have a much harder learning curve than a beginner with a shave ready razor.

Yea, the water only pass is fantastic stuff. Glad that helped you. I butchered the spelling of the cream I mentioned. It is spelled Proraso. My apologies for any time you may have wasted searching. I think there is an entire forum dedicated to soaps and creams. There are many forums I don't even look at. I would dive into those for some other, even better, ideas.

Hello itsmikey, welcome to SRP

I really doubt that any barbers let their blades "rest" between shaves. Perhaps this comes from people that used a 7 day set as a way to justify the purchase to their wifes.

Enjoy! :beer2:

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Originally Posted by itsmikey

1) I am reading conflicting information about when the blade should be stropped. All state that you should strop before shaving but here's where they differ - Some state that you should also strop after the shave and some state that since the blade needs to "rest" and the edge will "spring" back to its straightness in about 48 hours, that you should not strop after shaving. Which is recommended?


Thank you all very much and have a very Merry Christmas!
Michael

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Quote:

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I really doubt that any barbers let their blades "rest" between shaves. Perhaps this comes from people that used a 7 day set as a way to justify the purchase to their wifes.

Enjoy!

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Everybody keep your voices down, the razor's sleeping. Actually I shouldn't joke, I have images of somebody tucking their razors up in bed after shaving with them :)

As been said previously, the only way to speed up is to slow down. Stretch yer face and make it as ugly as possible as long as you stretch that skin! and prep your face before applying a razor sharp piece of bare metal on to it and you'll be fine.

I think i'll have to try the water only pass as well after getting such rave reviews, hadn't even thought of it.

kind regards
alex

Nothing to add, really. Go slow. Be patient.

and Welcome to SRP!

Again, thank you all for your input. This is great stuff.
I found more information in these forums than anyplace else.

In pursuit of the BBS, it seems that there are multiple tricks & techniques that apply but are also individualized. ie. some things work for some but not others. I found one such thread using cold water instead of hot water to prep the whiskers and cream/soap. Tried it a couple of times and it seems to work for me but will try it for the rest of the week before giving a review on it. BTW, AFDAVIS11, I can't thank you enough for the water only pass. It has been doing me wonders.

As for getting my blade professionally honed, unfortunately (or fortunately) I live in Honolulu and can't find a local vendor who even sells straight blades. I guess I'll have to wait for my next business trip.

BTW, excellent point about barbers not letting their blades "rest" but don't talk too loud, mine is sleeping on my pillow from a rigorous day attacking my whiskers. LOL