Thread: Sick and Tired of Disposables

Still strikes me as amusing that men ALL shaved with straight razors for 150 yrs., and now almost everyone is shocked to hear that anyone still uses them. We're a definite minority, gentlemen.

Originally Posted by InkyDoug

I woke up this morning as I do every morning (God Willing), got a shower and proceeded to shave with a regular disposable razor. On the way to work I touched my chin and realized it felt like I hadn't shaved at all!! I decided that I wanted better.

So here I am. I ordered a starter set from Straight Razor Designs and am anxiously waiting for a decent shave.

I am excited to find this community of folks that enjoy the finer things in life.

Welcome....

Hints...
Lather well -- a good lather and beard prep are important no
matter what razor blade you use.

Do no strop the razor for your first shave. Lightly
wipe any excess oil off the razor and give it a go.
Normally we start a lather, strop, finish the lather
then shave so do not rush the shave just because I
said to not strop the razor on the first shave.

Shave the easy bits first and finish with your older
razor. In the old days young men learned to shave
as their whiskers grew in over a year or two. They
were not Santa Clause for their first shave.

Use a light touch when shaving.

Strop slow and deliberately not like the
guys on TV or in the movies. The risk
with going fast too soon is a dull razor or
a cut on your strop. We all have done
bad things on a strop at first so it is not the end
of the world.

Be calm, be mindful ... take your time...

Thanks for all the encouraging words. And the starter steps Nifty! I'm sure I'll pick jup but I'm in no hurry.
I like doing things the old ways. I print on a letterpress, I write letters and postcards with a fountain pen and I smoke a pipe. I really enjoy developing the skills and learning the relaxing rituals that go with these luddite pursuits.