Rookie From Round Rock, TX

Hey Guys, just wanting to introduce myself to everyone here at SRP! I'm a rookie to str8 shaving, all of about a month ago when I went to Las Vegas and got my 1st str8 shave done at the Art of Shaving store there. Needless to say I was hooked, but I have to be honest with ya and I was already wanting to get into it but didnt have a store close by where I live to look at str8 razors. Purchased me a TI once I got back for my bday and have shaved with it less then 10 times now. Still getting used to the shaving motions and trying to get into a rythm of how things go. Didn't really think it would be as hard as it is as my face is healing from small cuts and nicks, but like they always say "practice makes perfect"! I did purchase a CHEAP strop from Amazon.com and really don't know if I have messed with blade edge or not but I definately feel a difference in a close shave from the 1st time I used it. After reading some of the forum threads I'm sure I need to get my stropping process down better and probably the pressure I'm using when I shave needs to lessen. Right now I'm in the "trying different things mode" to have a history to work from to see what works and what doesn't, but if things don't change soon I may end up packing up my TI to have an expert take a look at it to see what if ANYTHING is wrong with it or if it's more operator error:shrug:. One thing I know for sure is that I love this new hobby of shaving with a str8 razor, and nothing will keep me from moving forward and getting to the point where I can feel more comfortable with this!

Welcome to SRP!
seems you are well down the path. where did you get your razor from? was it AOS? new razors almost always need a little honing before they are truly shave ready. cheap strops are not always bad what brand is it and how big is it.
usually less pressure and varying the blade angle makes a big improvement , but the razor has to be sharp to start with.
as always we appreciate pictures.
there are a ton of texans around the forum

enjoy,
jim

Yes, I did get my str8 razor from AOS! The brand is strop is Haryali Fashion London which it shows it's a just a natural leather 21' by 2' strop.

A plain leather strop is fine most vintage ones are 2 to 2.5" wide and that is a good length (for me) I'm going to hazard a guess that the issue is that the blade was not shave ready to start with then repeated use and perhaps a little uncertain stropping and now it needs a trip to the stones... send it out before you hurt yourself, a dull razor hurts more than a sharp one and maybe get a second one form the classifieds or whippeddog you already have a pretty one get a vintage one on the cheap that is shave ready and start enjoying again.

jim

Thanks Jim for the advice..........Don't know if your a Giants fan but I have to admit I was cheering on Eli Manning in the Super Bowl because I at least wanted someone from our Division to win! We'll see if Romo and Cowboys can get there you know what together this year!

Welcome friend, and +1 for the Cowboys. I'm from San Antonio, so I'll be a Cowboys fan forever. I also grew up in Thousand Oaks, CA and watched them at their training camp at CLC daily as a kid. I have autographs from all the greats to show for it including Landry! Anyway, I think Syslight is giving you some great advice. Get that razor honed by a pro. They rarely come shave ready. Check out Straight Razor Designs and Lynn's honing service. Ask tons of questions, you'll always find answers here. Have fun!

Thanks RNMike! Happened to flip the channels last weekend and got caught on the NFL Network. They were showing the old Cowboys with Landry, Hollywood Henderson, Charlie Waters, Drew Pearson.....I could on and on.....but man I miss those days of DOMINATION! Wish we could get back there SOON! We have some guys that are getting up there in age who definately need to get a ring! Anyways, thanks for poppin in and we'll be talking more as we go! Take Care and get yourself back to river walk as quickly as you can!