Thread: beginners help

Hi everyone, I would really appreciate some advise on creams and general info on how to prep for a really good shave. Many thanks.

Hi there!

You should check the Wiki for more information about 'prep'. As for me I wash my face with hot water, after that I use hot towel for 2-3 times, you only have to cover your face with it and let your skin become a bit red. I have never used pre-cream or oil, someone suggest it. After I make a good foam in shawing bowl with soap, or cream.

These methods are good for me, but everyone have his own prep which is the best for his skin type.

Read much and have fun!

thank you for the advise could you recommend a good soap or cream? What is the difference in brushes as I have seen some that are extremely expensive and some are very cheap? Thanks again for any help you can give me.

Your welcome!

It is much easier to make foam from cream and it gives more of it. The ingredients of soaps are more natural in my opinion and lasts for much longer. I tried only a few kind of creams, because I more like different soaps. I usually use one kind of soap for a lond time, Gents here can give you more information about the varies of soaps.

On avarage brushes got badger or pure bristle knot. Badger hair is more valuable and gives you a soft feeling on your skin. Pure bristle(boar) hair is harder, better use it for soaps. Check this page for more details on brushes.

Shaving Brushes

I like pure bristle brushes, that's why I've never tried badger brushes, and they are expensive too To tell the truth I like badgers, and boars dont have to be killed for their hair HAHAHA!

Like razors and pretty much anything to do with this hobby. your selection is only limited by your preferences, imagination and wallet.
I like to use shaving soap: tabac, floris, trumpers, truefitt&hill and my favorite brand of "retail" soap, but i like glycerin soap made by artisan crafter's as well
creams... castle forbes, truefitt&hill, palmolive, taylors are all in the cabinet.

brushes: i have $10 boar brushes from the drug store, and $200+ dollar badgers the choices are based solely on taste, badgers are generally softer though. they will all work to make a great shaving lather, some are just a little easier than others.

use can also use williams soap which works ok try everything at least once!... places like george trumper, floris, truefitt &hill, taylors of old bond street and art of shaving all should have small sample kits for a very reasonable price.

I used to work on the railway and unfortunately there are hundreds of dead badgers, I could make a fortune seeing how much those little brushes go for. I didnt realize that this type of shaving was so popular. Thanks for your help, much appreciated.

I will look out for the brands you have mentioned and I guess its trial and error. This is all new to me and there is so much to choose from. I have just bought my first razor so got to get everything else to go with it. Do you sharpen your own razor or do you recommend getting it done professionally?

not so much trial and error ... there are just so many different scents and styles. if you can get trial size or samples it helps to point you in the right direction. i even think art of shaving has sample size products.
i do my own honing but i have used a straight razor for over 30 years. when you are starting out i recommend getting a pro to hone your razors. if you can find one near you they often will help you learn. taking your time to get into all the facets of straight shaving will actually save you money and frustration.
what type of razor did you buy? you might want to contact some of the vendors for a starter kit ... you can get a reasonable strop and vintage razor for about $55 ... most people nick their first strop some... it almost hurts when it is an expensive one that gets damaged.

Originally Posted by boho

I used to work on the railway and unfortunately there are hundreds of dead badgers, I could make a fortune seeing how much those little brushes go for. I didnt realize that this type of shaving was so popular. Thanks for your help, much appreciated.

I am happy to hear that you found helping hand here. Go on and have lot of good shaves!

I don't feel like to use badger hair, I believe that is soft and popular, but I can't imagine to get one, I do not condemn who uses it and likes it, but as for me is a kind of a taboo.

I wouldn't like to hurt anybody with my post!

I am a hairdresser/barber and I am opening my own salon in Kent England. I am just about to take a course on Straight shaving for my customers, there isn't anywhere in this small town here that can offer such a service. I want to learn as much as I can before my course starts, so any help or advise is greatly appreciated. I have gone a bit crazy on the famous auction site and bought four razors, from what I can make out Soligen are quite a good razor. They are various Soligen razors one being a gotta with a white handle one was an es ex with a black handle and the other two came together and they are both bonza blades. Dont know if that means anything to you, but I cant actually wait to try them on my self. I cant believe how many people were bidding, I lost quite a few time before landing my first razor. Some of them were being sold for £130 for a second hand razor. Well enough from me my wife is getting the arse, thanks for your help today.