Another noob, just being friendly.

Hey all, I'd appreciate any advice. BTW I live in the Springfield, Mo area

I got a divorce just over a year ago and decided that I'd like to do things.. that I like. Fairly odd decision I know, but there it is.

One of the things I decided was, I absolutely hate to shave! I found out the reason was due to improper technique, inferior products, and just being pissy about pretty much anthing involved with mornings. I, however must shave daily so I decided to improve technique and products.

I have a couple old hand me down straights, a J.R. Wingen that appears to be a faux tortis shell, duble duck satinedge, and a green handled wedge that my granfather brought home from his time in the Navy during WWII. Each of these could use some help from a pro to determine if they should remain as treasures or could be resurected.

Wanting to try something new on a budget I decided to start with my dad's old '67 Old Spice mug, buy a few pucks of soap, and bought what I feel to be a decent badger Edwin Jagger brush. I decided for now to stay with a cartridge based razor like a Mach III standard. Pretty happy with this setup but I really would like to ask about soap.

I know that you can get a really nice lather with cream, however I am attracted to the soap and brush method. I have gotten good results with wetting the puck, holding the brush under the hottest water that comes from the tap, swirling until the brush is loaded, and lathering on my face.

What I would like help with is can someone direct me to a guide on the types of soap available, ie what's the difference between a glycerine based and everything else. I have had good luck with the Edwin Jagger sea buckthorn (is this a "hard soap")

Also, not wanting to sound like a mooch, I'm intrested in freebies. Mostly I mean in soap, but I'd also like to maybe step up to a disposible so cheap or used ones I'd be intrested in.

Thanks a lot guys in advance, look forward to hearing from you

Welcome to SRP ! :)

For help with the razors please post some pics so we have a starting reference point.
You can also look in the SRP Classified Ads section for guys who perform razor restorations and send them a PM with some pics and get their opinions..

Soaps....some of the other guys will chime in here shortly to help you with that.

The 3 critical skills are beard prep, stropping ( for a straight razor) , and shaving technique. Pay attention to those and your shaves will be much better.

Hope this helps, :)

wgcop1401,

Welcome to SRP, sir.

First, Obie is our resident expert. I doubt anyone would disagree with me. He started a very good thread on his favorite soaps.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/soaps...9-keepers.html

I think you'll find that an interesting read.

-Mark

Cop,

Randy tells ya right. Beard prep (including making lather), stropping, and the shave technique.

For making lather, Mantic's vid is as good as I've seen for an intro.
How To Build And Apply Traditional Shaving Lather - YouTube

The shave technique is well covered in the link 'your first str8 razor shave', linked on the SRP home page.

The best stropping thread I've seen is Glen's 3/11 Beginner's Tips thread.
.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...ch-2011-a.html
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Be sure to go through the thread. It contains Al's fabulous vids on the all important 'flip' fo the razor at the end of a stropping stroke. That's where most of the strop carnage happens. It might be helpful so see the honorable Mrsell's thread on stropping also.
.
Please don't nick your strop

Mark tells you right about the soap Guru also. Obie is just wonderful.

Though I'm not a fan of the DIY, mix your own approach (sometimes called 'uberlather'), there's no denying the quality and over all cost effectiveness of this discovery - also by Glen:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/soaps...er-recipe.html

Have fun learning. 'Won't happen overnight, but the shaves will very soon make your other methods look really pale.