Santa Clara, CA

Hi all,

New member about to pull the trigger on a whipped dog sight unseen (with poor man's strop and silvertip brush set) on Monday. I was waiting for the SRD 10% monthly kit to go on sale but I figure I can start out cheap and build up later ... and figure out what I like. Once I'm no longer worried about the strop I'll likely pick up a 3" SRD latigo stop with fabric and another razor.

This started about a month ago when I went to a friend's wedding in another state. I forgot my cartridge razor so the groom challenged me to not cut myself with his straight. 2 hours later, I was mostly gruff free, and had only slightly failed the challenge (dang you cleft chin). He had a Dovo Best - I think 6/8 and quarter hollow. But the process was ... I guess meditative would be the best way to describe it. I've been pouring over this and other straight razor boards since then and think I have most of the basic care and techniques down - in theory. :p So now comes the practice part.

I do have a couple of questions.
1) Should I just go for the 3 inch strop now? Is the x pattern that annoying/difficult? I'll be stropping slow (I'm hoping that doing so will minimize strop damage while I'm learning).
2) Anyone who went my route... would you recommend I jump up to my upgrade razor/kit right away? I plan on getting 3 razors eventually (assuming RAD doesn't set in) so I can have 2 in use when I send 1 out for honing.
3) Any tips on shaving a cleft chin (hair grows away from the cleft so a WTG pass would start from the cleft going down to my shoulder)? I also have a few bumps (small cysts) on my jaw line from boxing, but I can stretch those decently flat so I'm not too worried.
4) As I read about razor care I became confused. Is the oil only for storage of razors for a week+, or should I apply oil after each shave, then wipe it off before stropping and shave? Since I'll have one razor I'll be using it every 2-3 days depending on beard growth, so would just rinsing it, then drying it with a tissue, then cotton-balling on some rubbing alcohol work?

Thanks for any help.

Welcome to SRP

1. I would spring for the 3" now. Even though the x pattern is only slightly annoying but not difficult.

Slow is good but also lay the strop on a counter while first learning.

2. One is sufficient, Two is wise, Three is an early sign of RAD.:)

3. Use the thumb and fore finger to stretch the cleft, shave between your thumb and fore finger. Don't forget to map all of your face.

4. Daily oiling in a dry climate is near paranoia. Post honing I spray the blade down with silicone lubricant. After daily use I wipe the blade dry with a micro fiber hand towel, and strop ten passes on webbing.

Jonathan

Thanks for the tip on the cleft, I would not have thought for that.

I'll try to stick with two razors then. I wasn't sure how long sending something out to get honed would take.