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

Hey everyone!

Short story: A couple years ago I decided enough was enough and my face deserved better than a cartridge razor. Burns, bumps, and ingrowns were bumming me out. I decided I wanted to move to a safety razor with the ultimate goal of going straight razor. The day I bought my safety razor (an Edwin Jagger DE89Lbl) I happened to come across a beautiful straight razor. I decided, without any research, to buy it and make it my goal.

Two years later (two weeks ago) I decided I was comfortable enough with the safety razor to make the plunge and busted out my Thiers Issard Spartacus and give it a go. It took me 25 minutes of caution and concentration to get through my shave. No nicks or cuts, but it wasn't very close (I don't expect it to be for a very long time until I get the angle and muscle memory down). All I know is that I'm hooked and looking to dive beard first into the world of straight razors! (It's taking all of my will power not to go out and buy a honing stone and stuff!)

Onto my question! With a thick-haired beard and sensitive skin, did I get a "bad" first straight razor? I say bad as in not the right type/style/size for a beginner. I honestly don't know if this is a "good" or "great" blade in comparison to what's out there, but that would be interesting to know too. After research today I found out that this might be a half-hallow 6/8"? It's 6/8" on the inside and goes to about 7/8" at the end of the blade.

I know performance (outside of practice) can hinge on the products you use, so here's my routine:

1. Get out of shower
2. Hot water to the face
3. Apply Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood Shaving Cream using a Parker Safety Razor 100% Pure Badger Bristle Shaving Brush
   
   1. I'll note that I don't lather in a cup, although I do have a cup to put my brush in for when I need to re-lather
   
   
4. Shave with grain
5. Shave against grain
6. Hot water to remove any lingering cream
7. Cold water to close the pores
8. Bath & Body Works C.O. Bigelow No.1401 Bay Rum After-Shave Balm

I do have a strop (a Fromm Razor Strop 2 1/2" X 23") and I've been trying to get that down (my first time was today as my last shave was the worst out of my three times thus far as far as closeness). Thanks for the help and here's some photos of my precious!!



Edit: sorry for the attachments, it was rotating the images and couldn't figure out how to remove them!

Welcome!

Don't know much about that blade other than it is a good brand and looks sweet. your overall ritual looks pretty good. How does the blade feel as you shave? any tugging or skipping, and was it professionally honed?

Congratulations...I like the TI's myself, the old one's even more so...

Question, was the razor professionally honed to shave ready? TI sends them out factory sharp, they even say that they are, "shave ready" as most new production companies do, but it needs to be honed first to get shave ready, believe me, it will make all the difference in the world to your straight shaving experience.

As UAcowboy asked, was the razor honed by a professional?
Concerning you routine you might consider doing a cross the grain pass betwee with and against.

Also to add to their questions about pro honing the razor....if you have really sensitive skin try cold water shaving helped me tons

And BTW welcome to SRP

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone!

It's never been to a professional to get honed. I can say that it does tug and skip. I chalked that up to being a newcomer and not getting my angle right, not keeping me skin as tight as I could, or not lathering enough (I re-lather a lot because it's taking me so long and the lather dries up).

I can definitely add a cross-grain pass to my routine. I've done it in the past with my safety razor but my beard grows in such crazy directions that even a small patch winds up being both across and against the grain on the same pass.

I'll definitely look into cold water shaving. Never tried it and I guess it can't hurt!

You should have it honed check the classified section or members list to find someone close if possible some barbers can/will do it but don't know any in my area (triad )

Welcome to SRP! You definitely have a high quality razor, if its really shave ready, it will be a fine shaver.That said what jumps out at me is that you did an against the grain pass, probably not the best idea to start doing that untill your really comfortable and your razor in shave ready condition.JMHO

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