Hi from John Clayton, a New Zealander living in Switzerland
Hello Everybody!
In the last 6 hours since I asked the question "I wonder how to use a straight razor?" - I've discovered the SRP gold mine - and have begun to read this sites wiki, I've gone through much of the FAQ, browsed the user groups, scanned the classified ads and even watched a couple of videos in German of how to prep lather and shave (Rasurpur).
I'm very taken with the idea of a straight razor shave (for multiple reasons which for the sake of brevity I'll leave out here).
After reading these last few hours - straight razor shaving seems simple in principle, but complicated in practice, a bit like swimming. It seems like many small pieces have to fit together in order for the experience to come out right.
I'm the sort of guy that can become attached (perhaps a little obsessive) about things when I [finally] decide to do them properly :-) Hopefully I can use that to my advantage.
So I've decided to give it a go - and as my first step thought I'd say "hi" via this forum. My plan is to order a starter set (Straight Razor and DE Razor Set Offers), and while that's in the post - to continue reading and learning.
I've got some immediate questions before I begin; and any answers or help would be appreciated. If you feel I should put these questions in another thread, please let me know.
I am interested in receiving hints and tips you think might help me on my way, or criticism of anything I suggest here - I won't be offended.
In no particular order:
1. Tools
I believe my best course of action is to get the right tools, in the form of a starter set - without much attention paid to the razor itself except that the blade should be properly (really really shave ready) prepared and I should not skimp on good soap/cream.
I have no intention of purchasing a collectors item for my first razor.
Is anyone able to confirm that razors bought from Rasurpur are SRP "shave ready"? It appears to be the case, but some further affirmation would put my mind completely at rest - seeing as an experienced manual honing seems to be a #1 factor in first-shave success.
For now; I'm going to ignore the honing skill - and focus on obtaining a pleasurable experience. I'll get someone else to hone it the first time I think.
2. Stropping
Also; assuming I have received the blade in the post - I have read that I should be cleaning the blade of oil, then stropping the blade before the first shave - but I wonder if due to my complete & utter lack of strop experience I'll end up dulling the blade somewhat before experiencing the first shave - any recommendations here?
Should I simply use a feather light touch that isn't slow? (how to do that properly without ever having done it before seems an oxymoron in itself).
So far I've not spotted any guides that might show me the weight / pressure ratio I'm looking to achieve for a daily/normal strop. E.g. using a strop, take a credit card and place 2mm of its edge on the strop - if you can bend it at all, that's too much pressure. Of course - that's a hard one to judge; because how thick is your credit card, where are you placing your fingers etc etc.
All I'm looking for is a kind of "feeling guide" that would indicate too little or too much pressure - maybe I've just not found the right wiki/forum page yet.
3. Local Barber Shop - where to experience this
I'd be keen on knowing if anyone else in the area of Rapperswil, Swtizerland knows where I can obtain a good straight razor shave so I can feel what its like. It'd provide a nice reference point for the end result that would be repeatable.
4. Beard length for first shave
I wet shave with a normal safety razor already, and only ever after a shower. I find that when my beard is shorter then a new/sharp blade gives far better results. This makes me curious about beard length + straight razors.
For a straight razor shave - is it generally better to have a longer or shorter beard? I'm wondering if I should let it grow to any particular length before giving this a shot?
I'm intending to follow Lynn's advice and shave the different parts of my face on successive days - I do not have the feeling that I have a stop-watch attached to my personal performance schedule and that I have to achieve it all in 24 hours (thankfully).
I shall leave my post here - I don't wish it to become overwhelming and too long.
I will continue to read the forums; and hope to learn from, prepare for and then finally *enjoy* what appears to be a fascinating experience in the not too distant future.
--
John Clayton
Rapperswil, Switzerland