Thread: Hi, New to straight shaving

Hi all,
I'm brand new to straight shaving, having just got a razor/strop/brush kit this past week from Straight Razor Designs. Today was my 5th shave with the straight.

I've been a wet shaver all my life -- or at least since I needed to shave. That's what my dad taught me, so I've always done it that way. Back then (late 1960's) I started with a Schick Injector. It had one of these tangs that you stuck into the back of the razor and, well, you know the drill. Then I graduated to a double edge in the early 70's, one of the missile-silo openers, and used that for a long, long time.

I remember once watching some Western movie with my dad and asking him whether he ever shaved with a straight razor. He said something to the effect that I may as well go into the kitchen and sharpen up a butter knife (which, of course, I never did). I was always intrigued by the straight shaving drill.

Then once I was going through a department store and saw a straight razor and brush for sale. They were really trying to sell me on it, and I was tempted to buy it, but I didn't because I knew that I had absolutely no idea of how to shave with one of those things. It was a bit too scary.

So a few weeks ago I came across the Shave Den site, and went from there to Lynn's site at SRD. I still wasn't sure I'd do this, but I bought the video to see whether this was something I could do. After that, I decided to order the kit from SRD, and here I am at straight shave number 5.

I only got two nicks and one pimple (maybe it's a wart, but I didn't count it as a nick) today. I'm getting more used to the thing, but it certainly demands a great deal of respect. I'm still getting used to the fact that I have to stretch the skin all over the place, which is something I never bothered with while using a DE.

I did two passes with the straight today, the first time I've done that. The chin and moustache areas are the toughest for me, and I feel a bit of irritation on my neck and a little on the cheek. I've been stropping the razor, but I managed to nick the strop, no doubt due to my inexperience. It's only a small nick, but still...I just got the thing. Jeez.

The other tough thing has been whipping up the lather. I got a tub of the shaving soap, as well as a Col. Conk mug (very nice), and I've lathered the thing up but it seems really dry. I added more water, but then it wasn't thick enough, so I gave up on that for the moment and went back to the Gilette gel from a can that I've been using. It worked, and it is pretty thick. The slight problem is that I bought that stuff a few months ago at Costco so I've got three more cans to finish off.

A word about my history with shaving soap. I never used it nor shaving cream. Instead, I did the same thing my dad did, which was use a bunch of soap chips in the bottom of an oversize coffee mug and a brush. (Soap was never wasted in our house!) That probably dried my skin out a bit, but I don't think I really noticed it too much.

So the lather thing is definitely something I have to learn from scratch. As well as the stropping technique, which is brand new to me. I'm wondering whether I'm doing it right because today's shave did feel a bit rougher than the first go round.

About me: I live in the Chicago area, I'm 53, professional, don't wear a beard or moustache, and like the feel of a good, clean shave in the morning. I saw there was a get together last fall at the Palmer House in Chicago...if I'd known about it I would have been there. Next time...

I look forward to learning on this forum.

Thirdman47 (same guy as on Shave Den)

Welcome to the fine art of straight razor shaving. Take your time and read all the threads from newbies like yourself and the help that was suggested. Learn something from every shave (ie: what works for your face and what doesn't). The journey is long but well worth it. Enjoy

Nice to meet you! I'm new to SR shaving myself, having started just this past Christmas.

Originally Posted by Thirdman47

I've been stropping the razor, but I managed to nick the strop, no doubt due to my inexperience. It's only a small nick, but still...I just got the thing. Jeez.

Haha, I know the feeling...I've nicked mine a few times since starting myself in december. Minor, and more cosmetic than anything else, but it bothers me all the same. I just look at it as a good time to get all my newbie mistakes out before I get myself a nicer strop.

Originally Posted by Thirdman47

The other tough thing has been whipping up the lather. I got a tub of the shaving soap, as well as a Col. Conk mug (very nice), and I've lathered the thing up but it seems really dry. I added more water, but then it wasn't thick enough, so I gave up on that for the moment and went back to the Gilette gel from a can that I've been using. It worked, and it is pretty thick. The slight problem is that I bought that stuff a few months ago at Costco so I've got three more cans to finish off.

Had the same problem myself for a number of shaves. It was too dry and I'd add water (too much) and it would be too runny. I fixed the problem by adding a tiny amount of water at a time to the lather until it was the right consistency. Not that I'm an expert on it yet- still figuring all this out myself!

Anyhow, welcome to SRP!

TM, Bravo for taking the plunge.

When new guys ask about making lather, I often steer them to a cream, as it can be easier to work out they hydration. You'll get to where you can enjoy either, but w/ soaps, its a hydration thing, and having the brush well loaded before developing the lather. The best thread on making lather I've seen is from Mantic.
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How To Build And Apply Traditional Shaving Lather - YouTube