Thread: 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. 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.