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Hey,
My name is Dan Born.
I live in a rural community a couple hours east of Grande Prairie, Alberta. I have three young boys, and would love to learn the art of the straight razor shave to teach to my sons as they grow. I'm totally new and excited to find a group willing to share their expertise. Specifically I am looking for advice on where, how and what to buy. What is necessary to start with and what is not.
Thanks in advance,
Dan
Hi, Dan, and welcome to SRP! There's a great deal of info to be found here. I suggest you check out the FAQ section to get an idea of what you'll need. Essentially, a straight razor, strop, soap and brush. Ask any question you wish -- we'er all here to help one another.
See you in the trenches, buddy! :beer1:
Welcome aboard Dan. This forum has great documentation, great search functions and if you can't find it, ask.. We'll be more than happy to answer :)
Hey there Dan Born...
Welcome to the forum. If I were you, I'd start clicking on all the banner ads around here. There's lots of companies selling new straights, and there's a bunch of people who post in our classifieds, or have their own websites for sales.
Ask fifteen members here where to start, and you'll have fifteen different answers about razors, strops, soaps, creams, etc. One thing that many of us have learned is that a shave ready razor is the place to start....new or used. Shave ready is also a scale....so find a reputable seller and honer.
If you want to skimp on some things, a brush and soap are a good place to go cheap. Proraso from shoppers drug mart is about $8, and it's a great lather! A low end badger brush from Frank Shaving or something of the sort will produce the same lather as a $300 Plisson....it will just feel a bit different on your face.
There are tonnes of variables, and you'll learn what you like over time. Hit the middle of the road to start and go from there. It took me over two years to determine that my favourite razors are 6/8 and larger, half hollow or more, and round point. Buying razors is easy now....it wasn't then!
:) :tu
i would also recommend the omega boar bristle brushes from shoppers drug mart (which sells proraso) at 15$ you cant go wrong.
Welcome!!!!
Just a note on soaps. Some of the el-cheapos will do a decent job. Wilkinson can be had cheap @ Wally's world, Rexall and I'm sure a whole bunch of other places. The smell is a little strong though. Williams is even cheaper, neutral smelling, Wally's carries it for sure. Either one will be a more than adequate starter.
Concur on the shave-ready razor. What most stores carry is good enough for buttering your toast and giving you nicks/gouges but not for any stubble removal.
yep, thanks to all for the advice. I just purchased a wapiencia 6/8 razor/strop combo from the Classic Edge in Oakville, Ontario. It will come honed and shave ready. Just waiting for it to arrive. They seemed quite knowledgable and ready to help new shavers. In any case I'm sure it will be a good start. I can't wait to get started.
PICS! Pics, please, when your gear arrives. :D
Welcome, and yes, pics please! I've never seen a 6/8 Wapi.
haha. my apologies. This just shows my eagerness and also ignorance. The blade I ordered is a 5/8 wapi, I believe. Sorry to disappoint.
Attachment 103632
I received my 5/8 wapiencia and have gotten to it. But as I suspected it is a difficult task. There is a sense of pride though. Anyone have recommendations on how to strop. I received a 2 sided linen and leather strop. should I be using the linen with the leather as a daily routine? Linen first?
Linen first (I use 20 up-and-down laps), then leather (I use 50 laps).
that's a very pretty razor -- I didn't know that anyone was selling Wapi's. I'm checking their catalog . . . .
Charles
Love the Wapi.. Charles might be overdoing it a little.. For me it was always 15 linen, 30 leather.
I started out with fewer stropping laps. I found that my edges were sharper with 50 laps, than with 30 laps.Quote:
Originally Posted by FiReSTaRT
Everyone finds his own "sweet spot" -- the place between:
. . . "this razor is still dull!"
and
. . . "My arm is tired from stropping, let's shave!"
Charles
