Thread: Newbie from WI

I've enjoyed the experience of shaves from Barbers, although the shave itself did not seem much better than I could get with my Track2 (now Track5) razor. I have also enjoyed Barber shaves in foreign countries. Had an interesting shave without soap once.

I slowly started about 1 year ago. Bought a soap (Williams) and brush (cheapo) from the corner drug store as an alternative to shaving cream. Amazing how long that $2 puck has lasted. I've been apprehensive about adding a straight razor, but have finally decided to take the plunge. As destiny would have it, takedeadaim lives near me, and was selling his collection, so I picked up a starter razor, and the unrestored ones he had in the classifieds. I even picked up his plank strop he didn't need anymore. It gives me some cheap razors to learn with. Now I have to back fill before I start learning to use it - sanitize it, how to strop, proper care and storage (strop before and after? Oil the razor?), etc. I don't want to ruin the blade after my first shave with it. I heard practicing shaving a balloon is a good first step.

After I clean and polish the unrestored razors, I will probably send one out to be professionally honed. Or, if Lynn will cut me a deal, I can send him all 4. After that, I'll have more than enough razors to practice honing.

One of them does not have a scale. Any suggestions on where to buy one, or who would make one?

Looking forward to starting the adventure. Once I figure it out, I can then get my son into it.

Also, my razor cartridges last forever (months), whereas one of my friends is lucky to get a week out of one. Any thoughts on whether:
1) My facial hair is softer than normal
2) I have a high tolerance for pain

I can tell when a razor is getting tough. I can also tell when I have a new razor blade. Sometimes the new blades are rough on my face, and take a few days to settle in. Some of that may be from switching to a new type of cartridge (get the promotional freebies when they come out with a new line).

I finally took the plunge and shaved today. Bought all the equipment, down to the styptic pencil. Used the rubbing alcohol/hydrogen peroxide to disinfect the blade.

No nicks on the strop.
No nicks on my face.
So far so good.

Now to watch the videos to figure out the best angle to hold the blade so I can see, in the mirror, where I am shaving.

Question for the near sighted people: How do you deal with the mirror being across the sink and outside your focus range? I do have contacts, but I only use them a few times a year.

Originally Posted by 11505rl

Question for the near sighted people: How do you deal with the mirror being across the sink and outside your focus range? I do have contacts, but I only use them a few times a year.

You might try some drugstore glasses. If that fails, you may well have to invest in some prescription glasses. Some members are optonetrists and will have a better answer.

Originally Posted by 11505rl

. . .
One of them does not have a scale. Any suggestions on where to buy one, or who would make one?
. . .

There are people in the "Vendors" section who will make scales. "Stock" scales -- plastic -- are available from some of the online shops. I got a few from a Canadian supplier:

Straight Razor Accessories - Shaving | Fendrihan Shaving Store

and they're OK.

Charles

Charles

The problem with near sighted is the ear piece when I wear the glasses. It is one more obstacle to work around.

Thanks for the info on the stock scales. Just what I was looking for.

Day 2 turned out to be a bigger adventure. I tried to advance too quickly, and ended up with a nick and a cut.

I know it is a ways away, but any suggestions on the minimum size of a hone? The Nortons are 8x3, and some natural coticules are are as small as 5x1.5, or smaller.

Originally Posted by 11505rl

. . .
I know it is a ways away, but any suggestions on the minimum size of a hone? The Nortons are 8x3, and some natural coticules are are as small as 5x1.5, or smaller.

The nice thing about a 3"-wide hone is that you can put a blade on it, slightly canted, and run it _straight up the hone_ to hone the full width of the edge.

With a narrower hone, you must use X-strokes. There's nothing wrong with that -- just one more skill to master.

You're right -- stop thinking about hones for a while. Not that advice ever stopped anybody . . .

Charles