Thread: My first straight; a Ralf Aust

What's the Fools Pass? I also just bought a RA from SRD and am eagerly waiting to try it! In regards to the plastic scales issue when closing it, does the same happen with wood scales? My new RA has beautiful olivewood scales that I would really love to keep in good condition.

Nice choice for a first razor.
The Fools Pass is a dangerous motion of the razor when shaving under one's nose. With the edge up, you shave upwards from the top of the lip towards the nose, against the grain. Although I like this pass, I'm always very careful & slow, as a sharp razor can easily slip and reconfigure your nose.

Ralf Aust is probably the best production razor out there. Great bang for the buck as well.

Originally Posted by donaldjr1969

If there is one thing I would mention to anybody considering the Aust, or any other razor with plastic scales, be careful when you close the razor. The scales flex and if you're gripping the scales too tightly, you can possibly hit the scales with the edge.

Glad you enjoyed that Aust. I have two, which were among my first.

Just FYI, all scales flex...some more, some less...it is part of the mechanical design that make the razor work as it does, and why most have a wedge at the toe instead of a straight filler. There is a whole thread or two (or more) on here somewhere about how it all works. It is quite ingenious.

Again, glad you're enjoyed your razor!

Originally Posted by WolfMan77

What's the Fools Pass? I also just bought a RA from SRD and am eagerly waiting to try it! In regards to the plastic scales issue when closing it, does the same happen with wood scales? My new RA has beautiful olivewood scales that I would really love to keep in good condition.

The "Fool's Pass" is shaving the upper lip by holding the razor with the edge side up toward your nose and you keep the razor perfectly still but move your head downward to the edge to shave your mustache area. Best method for that super close shave on that area.

Thank you all for the information! I'll have to give that technique a try once I become a little more familiar with my Aust and how it reacts

I thought the Fool's Pass was ANY pass in any direction with a cartridge or disposable razor???

Anyway, I looked it up a short time after the post and found out I have been doing it since November of last year with my shavette. To offer some additional control, I put my index finger on the toe of the razor. Gives me more control of it on my coarse whiskers under the nose. In fact, it stopped a slip with my shavette as I first learned it.

Currently, my RA is just impressing me each time I shave! The last 2-3 shaves have been BBS and every bit as good as my shavette loaded with a Feather blade. And like others have experienced graduating from a shavette to a SR, little nicks and weepers have all but disappeared. If anything, I get abrasion nicks in areas under my lower lip and nose. I've been that way ever since I began to shave. My skin is very sensitive in those two areas but with the SR, they DEFINITELY are reduced compared to the shavette and especially cartridges.

FWIW, I seem to get the best shave WTG with the spine no more than 1 spine width off my face. The Fool's Pass and other ATG passes are between 1/4 and 1/2 spine width off my face.

Did I mention I LOVE THIS RAZOR???

I never do the Fool's Pass. When I was taught it was considered a no-no because there are so many facial and proximity to cranial nerves in that area that any serious cut esp if it gets infected can lead to permanent damage

Congrats on your Aust. I bought one for my first(and still only...for now) straight and love it

Count me in too, I have nothing but good things to say about a Ralph Aust razor ! My thanks goes out to SRD also for their service and great prices on them.