Thread: The low down on classifieds...from a pro

Originally Posted by matt1357111317

Yes...no worries. I was simply saying that it is admirable to posses, as a trait, an unwillingness to compromise quality to save some effort. Those who wish to obtain quality without effort develop skill, which, in and of itself, requires effort. Not shunning effort takes character. Since nothing is absolute or certain, you cannot say that just taking the time to obtain the skill to achieve a superior shave or any other quality skill makes you a good person...but it certainly doesn't hurt.

That's interesting, and I agree....for me it was about enjoying the experience of shaving, the time to learn, the technical and the art behind it, and treating shaving like an, "experience" rather than a, "task".

It enables you to slow down, to think about what you're doing, and as a result, enjoy what you're doing, and gain a sense of enjoyment and satisfaction from the experience rather than just looking at as another task in your day. I find it sets the tone for my entire day.

Just my opinion....

There is an entire school of thought that what you just described, as applied to all tasks, is one of the pillars of happiness...

Many of us find shaving to be relaxing, some even describe it as Zen like.

That's the word...find it in every task...in a lot of tasks that require steel and iron...

Ok, as promised...the Dovo Prima Klang and strop I got for $130. It turns out the guy purchased these here and, "two shaves ago", sent it in to "the guy on straightrazorplace that hones for them". Any feedback?

...now on to learning the skill...any suggestions for best presentation in the why and the how of all necessary skills?

Very nice...that's funny how you got them! Couple of months ago, I an older Dovo Bismarck, the one with the inlay on the scales, guy said he only used it once, didn't like it. It also came with a 3" strop, very nice. He said it came sharpened from the guy.

When it arrived, the strop had the SRD logo on it and when I asked him where he got it, he said from SRD...so, like you, I ended up with a nice razor, used once, for a great price!

You did well, blade and strop for that price....excellent...review proper stropping techniques, learning to roll the spine properly or you may roll your edge...not good. That's an important one, slow and steady.

Sure you've already reviewed the first shave video's and the techniques, again go slow, don't rush it, start just with the sideburn area and progress from there...as you mentioned, it's a skill, takes time to learn, but well worth it in the end!

Congrats!

My suggestions. make sure to pull the skin in the opposite direction you are doing the stroke to keep the skin taut at all times. Puff out your cheeks when doing that area and pulling your mouth to one side can really help. Use a very light, gentle stroke, like stroking your skin with a feather. Keep the spine angle very shallow, no more than one or max two spine widths away from your face at all times except for advanced techniques like scooping under the nose area which I wouldn't recommend quite yet.

Beware when you first start your stroke, that is where the vast majority of cuts and slices occur. Watch as many shave videos as you can before and read as much as you can about the theory beforehand. It will help, but ultimately, experience is the best teacher.

Stick with it, your shaves will get better and better. Guaranteed.

Cry havoc and lit slip the blades of yore!

Originally Posted by matt1357111317

Ok, as promised...the Dovo Prima Klang and strop I got for $130. It turns out the guy purchased these here and, "two shaves ago", sent it in to "the guy on straightrazorplace that hones for them". Any feedback?

I appears that you have made a very nice score! I would presume that you meant to write: Straight Razor Design instead of SRP!

I believe that you have a shave ready razor honed by one of the best there is in the entire world; Founder of SRP Lynn Abrams!

Thank you all so much...I am pretty excited (per norm) with the blade and the prospect of mastering a new skill. I am going to study for a while before the proverbial rubber meets the road...I have the patience and steady hands of a surgeon...but am also humble enough to do a lot of watching first. Right now I wear a beard. I will be beginning with lining up the beard and my neck...

Also, the guy said the blade shaves better warm (?). This is the opposite of anything I'd have done in the past. I usually try to keep my cold, rinsing constantly in cold water...