Thread: Ralf Aust Razor Club

My son uses Jack Black cream and rubs it in well on his face with hid fingers and then faces lathers. He swears by it.

I really believe that with a shave ready edge, it is the lather that is the difference between a good shave and a not so good one!

[QUOTE=rosborn;1504869]Hello all,

I am new to straight razor shaving. I've known for quite a while, over a year, that I wanted to go the straight razor route but kept putting it off, continuing to use my Merkur DE. A little over a week ago I joined SRP and started lurking. A short time after that I started asking questions. I fairly quickly decided that I needed to start at Straight Razor Designs (SRD). I posed a couple of questions to Don at SRD and he steered me to the Ralf Aust 5/8" for a little over $100. I kept suggesting more expensive razors and he kept coming back with the Ralf Aust 5/8". Well, long story short, I ordered the Ralf Aust 5/8", with bridle leather strop, Monday evening and it arrived today.

I excitedly opened the box and have to say that I was a little shocked, not disappointed, but shocked. I don't know why but I was expecting the razor to be larger/longer/heavier. After shaving with it within the last hour I am very glad that it is exactly as is.

I am a knucklehead but learn pretty quickly from my mistakes. I jumped right in this evening. No shower before shaving. No facial prep before shaving. I just jumped....right....in! Mistake. Not the worse thing in the world but I have no doubt that had I completed the pre-shave prep not only would my beard have come off easier but the entire experience would have been better. I was eager to try my new razor out. I put soap on a small portion of the right side of my face, favoring the fact that I am right handed. I touched the razor to my face and gently pulled it through the soap. Dang! I was removing whiskers! Excitedly, I soaped the rest of my face and repeated the procedure. I WAS SHAVING WITH A STRAIGHT RAZOR!!! And...I was doing a pretty good job! Taking my time, I moved around my face, applying more soap when/where necessary. When all was said and done it turned out pretty darn good. A couple of nicks under the nose and one place that I had to touch up with my Merkur but, overall, very happy not only with my new Ralf Aust but also with my ability to use it appropriately. I don't know why I waited so long to do this.

Here are a couple of photos:

Attachment 203180Attachment 203182I started with a Aust 5/8 and just got a 6/8. Great feel and quality. In the future you may want to try a 6/8, its larger and heavier.

I started with a Aust 5/8 and really enjoyed the quality and feel. I just purchased a 6/8 Aust and love it. It's larger and heavier but fits my hands like it was molded to them. Can't go wrong with the Aust's.

I ordered and just received two 6/8 Ralf Aust razors, and I must say, taking these razors of their boxes, I'm in awe. Truly.

I've had flashbacks to when I for the first time 'unboxed' my old inherited Solingen razors, it has that vintage feel of quality and craftsmanship. Absolutely stunning.

So far it exceeds my expectations, even after all the positive I've read about them.

That is all.

Without photos, it didn't happen.

@jkatzman

You are starting out with some good gear. The shaving will get better as your muscle memory improves.

Just be careful stropping. No pressure and no speed. A lot of guys wreck their first strop and/or roll the edge on the blade.

Patience is the key. Lots of patience.

send pics - its a rule

Rolodave is correct! I did this to my first razor I bought which was a Dovo. It was corercted easily by a great member here "nipper". So all is good. Since then I learned from Richard and Joe how to properly strop and now still perfecting honing. Surprisingly, going well and is a lifelong learning technique to perfect I do believe!

Originally Posted by TristanLudlow

I ordered and just received two 6/8 Ralf Aust razors, and I must say, taking these razors of their boxes, I'm in awe. Truly.

I've had flashbacks to when I for the first time 'unboxed' my old inherited Solingen razors, it has that vintage feel of quality and craftsmanship. Absolutely stunning.

So far it exceeds my expectations, even after all the positive I've read about them.

That is all.

The RA razors are some of the best I have.....well, only have two of them but they are wonderful blades and consistent shavers that are almost every time a BBS. In fact yesterday used my RA 6/8 and had a great shave! I cannot say enough of this line of razors and the fact you can buy them from SRD and to my home is about 2 days max is a added plus!

Simple photos take with phone, I can't take such nice pictures like many of you can, but nonetheless these are lovely razors, have a really nice feel to them

These are my 2 Aust beauties. 5/8 in black and 6/8 in snake scale. The 6/8 shaves as great as it looks. Amazing feel and balance and SRD sent the razor in Ready to Shave condition. Really Sharp!