Thread: Hello hello

Well I've been lirking around for a few months and finally joined in December but have yet to post anything. Today I made my first and long awaited purchase of two razors from Larry at whippeddog.com. First I can't say enough about how great of an experience making a purchase from Larry was. I am very much looking forward to learning more. I've read a lot in the last few months and want to thank everyone here for all the contributions they have made already. So, hello!!

welcome to srp,

you don't say anything about it, but you need a strop to strop the razors between every shave. otherwise the edges will last only for a couple of shaves.

I should have mentioned I have a strop coming too. I've got a mug and soap too so the only thing left on my starter list are some good creams etc. Not sure what I need as far as that goes though. I've been using a disposable single edge for quite some time now and I typically just wipe my beard one section at a time with cherry scented alcohol. No cream or soap. I'm sure that sounds harsh but I don't find it painful and I get good results. So I'm not sure what to get for pre and post shave.

Hello and Welcome to SRP! Sounds like you're all set. Good luck!

Thanks! We'll see if I'm set soon enough. I'm curious if anyone here shaves relatively dry, with just alcohol as I've done for the last few years.

Welcome to Straight Razor Place!

Thank you!

Originally Posted by gomatty

I should have mentioned I have a strop coming too. I've got a mug and soap too so the only thing left on my starter list are some good creams etc. Not sure what I need as far as that goes though. I've been using a disposable single edge for quite some time now and I typically just wipe my beard one section at a time with cherry scented alcohol. No cream or soap. I'm sure that sounds harsh but I don't find it painful and I get good results. So I'm not sure what to get for pre and post shave.

Welcome aboard! The alcohol you're using is far too drying. Go w/ a good cream. One of my favorite creams is Proraso, made in Italy. You can get it in a tub or tube. It lathers wonderfully and is loaded w/ eucalyptus and menthol, so it's got a great cooling sensation.

As for pre shave, many of us shave immediately after a shower. If you you're going to shave w/o showering, then soak a towel in hot water, wring it out, and wrap it around your face for 2-3 minutes. The point of all this is to have the hot water soften your beard and open the pores in your skin.

For your post shave, you have a lot of choices. Everyone probably does it a little different. My routine is a warm water rinse to remove all left over soap/cream then a pass or two w/ my alum block. This closes any small nicks and helps take care of any razor burn. While the alum is doing it's thing, I do my razor maintanance. A cold water rinse to remove the alum, then a splash of some kind of astringent. Many folks like witch hazel. I'm currently using Lucky Tiger Face Tonic. I wrap up w/ an aftershave and sometimes a scent free moisturizer. Bay rum (thats a scent, not brand name) is a popular aftershave. There are plenty of brands out there, but a lot of our members make their own.

Hope this gets you started. Welcome to your new obsession!

Just wanted to update my experience so far. Two months in I have shaved religiously every other day or three. I couldn't be happier with the setup I got from Larry and I continue to learn every day. My strop is pretty notched up from the first month but all near the ends so it doesn't interfere at all. My stopping technique has improved exponentially and I have been able to maintain a very good edge that has shown no signs of needing to hit the pasted balsa board. I bought two razors initially and just purchased a boker off eBay that is on it's way to Texas for a honing. I've purchased a couple soaps, lotions and badger brush from a shop on Etsy. My total investment so far stands at under $200 and if I wanted to I don't think I would have to buy anything, barring a honing or two, for at least a year but probably more. Thanks so much for being a great community.