Thread: First post, First straight razor, First question!

Welcome brother. Your routine seems satisfactory, your equipment is on par (nice TI). I to say it should be honed and stropped, to take that unknown, out of the equation. Stropping on linen (60 turns) & leather (40 turns) my help, but you really need to take out the unknown, otherwise you'll get frustrated. And you don't want that stacked against you.
Enjoy SRP and enjoy.

Originally Posted by Razorrookie01

You can read in the library but a quick way to check is try to tree top some arm hair it should pop there's off mid level without any tug or pressure

I'm sorry Razorrookie but doing that test doesn't show whether the razor is shave ready or not. Perhaps the razor is shave ready depending on where he purchase it from, if it factory more then likely its not, an should be send to an experienced honer to be made shave ready.

Hmmm that test always worked for me... what would you suggest as a test?

You can get a razor to tree top arm hairs in the early stages of honing. The only true test in my Book for a shave ready razor is the shave test.

Good point

Looks like a really nice razor you got. I love the style.

Also, if your lather is drying early you all you may need is more water when building the lather.
All you need to do is add a few drops to the end of the brush, I lightly dip it in water, and rework the lather. You want a glossy 1/8 heavy coat of lather to shave with. It's not like foam from the can, but a small dense layer of glossy cream.

Welcome to the forum. Perhaps a good approach for you to take is see if you can find a mentor or a senior member in your area for a brief get together. Learn a little technique and have the edge of your razor assessed to see where it's at. When you bought it it may or may not have been hand honed. If it is not up to snuff get it honed. I don't know of too many people who got stellar shave first time around. As far as I am concerned if you got through it without any serious blood letting it was a total success

I did not get a stellar shave the first time! It eat my face up so bad that I put the razor away for a few months. Razor burn like I have never had, lasted for a few days. Then purchased a two new razors that I knew would come real shave ready.
So, I really consider I had to starting dates, a false start, then the real day!

Congrats on a very wicked blade. completely beautiful. First have you watched the videos on straight razor shaving. There are many very instructive videos on youtube. The other folks have already ask about the honing and other important questions. Be very carful with the angle because that point will dig in. I have always suggested for some one to start with a round point. but to each his own. welcome to the SRP. enjoy