Thread: Hello from Michigan

Started with SR about a month ago. So far have 3 partial shaves with three partial bleeds, a cheap stainless steel SR and a vintage Sheffield Steel I bought on EBAY, and 1 wrecked strop. It grew ripples. Partly from improper use and partly from being cheap I think. Tried rubbing the styptic pencil after my first shave and bleed and came out of the bathroom bloody and black from the styptic. My wife was truly amazed at my lack of ability !
Have SR will start reading !

Well, it can only get better now! You are on your way up!

Check to see if that cheap blade is on the brands to avoid list. And get the Sheffield blade honed. Get a great strop from a good shaving site and you will be good to go.

Welcome!

Michael

Pakistani. All on the never never list !

There's your problem. Toss that Pakistani razor quick!

Now the sheffield blade. Did you get it honed by a member here? If not, then check under member services in the classifieds for honing services. If it's a good vintage blade then you should be set with that.

Also get a good strop. Avoid ebay and just go to a reputable shaving site that sells straight razors. There are tons of great strops for under 100.00.

After that, you can get to really practicing your technique.

Michael

It will make a good box opener !

Hi Dave,

Your first shaves sound like mine did. That's why I'm called pinklather.

The prices on ebay may beckon, but I'd recommend getting your blades from members who use one every day. It sounds counter-intuitive, but they're usually *cheaper* than the bay blade + restoration charges. It doesn't have to be a costly blade - all you give up are the looks. With a bit of reading & practice, and a pro quality edge, your shaving world will look VERY different.

You probably also have members in your area. Maybe see if you can get some face to face tutorial on the stropping & shaving. It should cut ALOT of time off the learning curve. Then, you'll be so thrilled w/ your shaves, you wouldn't dream of using another method.

It sounds like you're gonna have some brite spots in your near-future shaves.

Pink Lather LOL. Mine was more red in color & the black from rubbing the styptic pencil instead of just holding it over the spot. A picture would have been good

My Daughter gave me a Badger Brush and a box of the Art of Shaving Trial tins for Christmas. I used the pre oil tin and then without my glasses on I put the after shave balm in my cup and lathered it up and used it and then used the shaving creme tin as after shave balm. Messy. Things were very messy. Could not get that stuff out of my beard.

I got an AOS DOVO and shaving cream. I did not know the first thing about shaving with a straight. Man did I brutalize my face that day. You know to think of it I am coming up on my 1 year anniversary shave. All I can say is it does get better with time.

Welcome to SRP. Any questions you have can be answered here. Keep at it, it's worth it. Where in Michigan are you?