Hello SR members. Newbie from UK

Hello everybody at SR! My name is rich and I live in the uk in Cheshire. I have been using a cheap electric shaver and want to learn and enojoy using a SR. The advantages look amazing. Apart from the cost effectiveness, I have sensitive skin so have not even tried using a disposable or Mach 3 type shaver. I hope I will enjoy using and learning the skill of the SR for a lifetime.

I got a SR for Xmas from my gf. Looking forward to using it, she got me a kit with the SR, strop, paste (yellow), a block and brush, all in a nice wooden box. I would be grateful for some advice on what soap, septic stick and moisturizer to get, makes and suggestions on where to buy them. Also if there is anything else I have forgotten would help. I would like to get everything together before I give it a go.

My razor came from the factory with what looks and feels like a oil or grease on the blade. Should I dry it off? I am getting a flat in 2 weeks and wont be using the razor before I move.

Any advice is welcome, I will Likely find the answers on the forum when I search the posts so sorry about that.

Rich

If this is the wrong place for posting pics im sorry.

these pictures are of my new SR Set, i think the make is Cyril R. Salter.

Strop has cotton (i think) on the other side (germany).
Sharpening stone is double sided with a grittier and a smoother side.
Brush is pure badger (handmade in England).
A little tube of something (for the stone?). Yellow band.
It all comes in a nice box with some instructions/intro to shaving.

http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/v...hoto/SRSet.jpg

http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/v...iiPhoto/SR.jpg

Leave the protective oil on the blade for the moment. You will more than likely want to have the blade professionally honed to really make the razor worthy to shave with. Factory edges just don't quite 'cut it', quite literally in most cases. Stubear on this forum might be able to help you out in the direction you need to look as he is in the UK...London area I think.

When you first try it out, remember to use just the lightest of touches and keep the blade close to flat on your face, but not quite flat. Read the Wiki here as well. It will take some time but really do go through all the beginner stuff you can read in that area. You'll need it, especially as we don't have our daddies to teach us anymore :).

Others will chime in with more advice soon I'm sure. Right now I'm off to bed. Late here in the underside of the planet.


Mick

Oh yes. P.S. Welcome to SRP. And the stuff in the tube is for the leather part of the strop, not the stone, but you won't really need it just yet anyway.

Welcome Roo,

Really nice set you have, this will last you for many years to come.

There's a section here on the forums where you can look at videos made from members here. Great stuff to learn from. When you finally get to use your razor just take your time. The key for me was really getting your lather up to par.
I think the tube of stuff you have is either for the stone , might be a oil stone, or just oil to protect the blade.
In any event good look and feel free to ask any question you may have.

thanks, yes its a oil stone. i did a bit of a search for it. and its aparently only a 600 grit. dont need to look into it just yet though.

Just wondering about what soaps to get, iv noticed there are a few different options out there, like gels and stuff.

Any suggestions for pre-shave and after-shave products i will want to get?

Hello Rich, and welcome to SRP.

I'm something of a newbie myself, only a couple of months in, but my pre/post shave kit is:

Nivea deep cleaning face wash
Proraso shave cream ( I mix it with a little Wilkinson shave soap) - read the wiki on building lather etc.
Alum block. This can sting a bit after your shave but it really works. Also the stinging can be a good guide to how good your shave technique is. The less it stings, the better your technique.

Reading the wiki and the posts here on SRP will give you all the info you need, but only practice makes perfect. Take it slowly, concentrate on your blade angle and light pressure and dont expect to get a good shave for the first few attempts, it does take time to get used to but its well worth it.

Good luck and enjoy the journey, Ryan

Rich,

Welcome and hello from Hastings :)

If you need to get your razor honed, Mr Steve Dempster (www.theinvisibleedge.co.uk) is not too far away in Malvern, Worcs.

Mr Neil Miller (www.strop-shop.co.uk) is also a very fine honer, as is Mr Gary Haywood of Nottingham.

Good luck !

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

Thankyou russ and mike about the honing. I was looking at some of the beginner section threads and the salter razor is in the avoid thread, clicked the link at the bottom about it being impossible to get a sharp edge, and there is a thread that makes me worried about this razor. The paper instructions says it is shave ready and will not need sharpening until 7 - 10 shaves. I tried the hanging hair test, fail. And arm hair does not cut easily, but does cut. The difference with mine and the one in the other thread is that mine has the place name on the razors blade. I think I will want to seek a professional honer. Any suggestions about possibly returning the razor before it is honed and getting another make to avoid problems?

Rich

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Roo

Thankyou russ and mike about the honing. I was looking at some of the beginner section threads and the salter razor is in the avoid thread, clicked the link at the bottom about it being impossible to get a sharp edge, and there is a thread that makes me worried about this razor. The paper instructions says it is shave ready and will not need sharpening until 7 - 10 shaves. I tried the hanging hair test, fail. And arm hair does not cut easily, but does cut. The difference with mine and the one in the other thread is that mine has the place name on the razors blade. I think I will want to seek a professional honer. Any suggestions about possibly returning the razor before it is honed and getting another make to avoid problems?

Rich

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at first Welcome.

Rich sorry you got bad experience. So many of us has done same . just try to buy razor's from srd or classified.
in this case you are protected.
hope this helps.

Hello and welcome to SRP. As long as you haven't used the razor or anything I would suggest returning it and getting something else. You can find a good properly honed razor in the classifieds here or from a reputable vendor that knows what shave ready really means. You've got a few suggestions on soap etc. allready but it all boils down to trying them yourself to see waht you like. Enjoy and :gl:

I have returned the set with no problems. Posted today.
I'm looking around on the Internet for a new shaver, any suggestions on a good beginner straight shaver. I think I want either a 5/8 or 6/8, stainless steel (if I'm right thinking it gives a smoother feel on the skin), maybe a half hollow (so it is not too light weight), and I would rather have anything but plastic scales. Any suggestions in the dovo range?

Rich

Rich,

Have a peek at Mr Dempsters Dovo site:

Dovo Razors

For non-plastic handles, most of the stainelss Dovos seem to be full hollow ground.

The 'Olive Wood' 415875 & 'Ebony' 415835 are 5/8, stainless full hollow ground wood handled razors.

The 'Master' 1176815 is a 6/8 stainless full hollow ground wood handled razor.

You might also want to have a peek at the Dovo Renaissance (6/8 stainless blade).

The better 'plastic' handles really are very nice, and are very practical !

In addition you can get your razor re-scaled if you are not happy with the scales.

Mr Neil Miller has re-scaled many of my razors (in ebony, polished rams-horn (my favourite !!), bufallo horn etc) and his workmanship is superb :)

Good luck !

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

Thankyou very much russ for your post.

I'm sure this info is very useful, I'll have a good look at all of the razors above later, getting rams horn or wooden scales later sounds like a good idea, as I can stick with cheaper scales to learn with.

Rich

Hi Roo, and welcome!

I just peeked at Dovo Razors UK--nice site, and nice stock too. There are some razors there I haven't seen at any U.S. suppliers. I have a Dovo stainless steel in ebony scales. It's a full hollow, and I'd like it better if it was a half hollow. I see you can get a half hollow stainless there. The half hollow will be a little more forgiving as you learn the straight.

You'll want a strop at the same time as your razor--though if it comes shave ready, don't strop the razor before your first shave. Most of us strop after shaving though, to clean the very edge before putting the blade away.

I've got one stainless blade, my Dovo, and a variety of carbon-steel blades. The stainless one doesn't feel any smoother, or rougher. It's well designed--Dovo put in wider washers, including a nylon one, between the blade and the scales, so it's easier to get any water or lather out. As I re-scale any of my other razors I'm going to do them this way too.

I also have sensitive skin, and live in a very dry climate. I haven't found any shaving soap to be harsh, but I think my mildest is a maca root shaving cream from The Body Shop. Very neutral scent, too, if that matters.

Check out the threads about cold-water shaving. It works great and is much easier on the skin.

I hope your girlfriend was OK with your gift return. It's the thought that counts, and here you are.


Best wishes and happy shaving!