Thread: First Post & first month report

Hey guys. I've been lurking for a while, reading and learning. Thanks to all for the good conversation. This forum is much more civil than some I follow!!

I made the plunge about a month ago. By that point, I had read much good info on the forum, watched videos (several for multiple times) and took the plunge by buying a couple of "shave ready" razors off eBay. I think I was lucky, or did some good research, but the buyers did indeed mail me some nice razors, and in very much shave ready condition. Unlike my typical adventure which is sometimes "helter skelter", I planned everything in advance for this adventure....i.e. ordered some nice soap (2 brands) and an entry level badger brush, and some styptic gel (lol...better to be prepared, huh?).

Finally, the big day! I hadn't shaved for a few days to build up a little more beard, just to have more to "work with". I picked the Eugene Berninghaus "Bayonet Steel" 5/8 SR that I bought from a nice guy in VA. He did have that blade in fine shape, just as he promised. I have a goatee, so don't shave chin or upper lip....that was probably a good thing, start easy, build skills as you go. Hot wash cloth? Check! Wet brush with hot water? Check! Build some good lather and get it on? Check! Proper grip? Check. Look in the mirror and concentrate......remember the videos and the advice from the forum; remember to breath.....OK......let's go!!!

All went well!!! Stretched the skin....just right. Easy does it....no pressure.....let the blade do the work. Right hand, then left hand....wow, this can work!! Wow.....what a smooth shave!!! Gillette can't tough this!!

So far, so good!! Next day....perfect shave again!!! Yippee, I've got this down!!! Third day.....oops.....don't get so cocky. Ended up with a couple of nicks. Next day, yes, another nick. Skipped a couple of days to heal up and assess my errors. Kept telling myself, "pay attention to the job, take your time, take it easy". That's been a month ago and I've learned some valuable lessons.....the same lessons you guys have already given me, but lessons that I had to experience:

1. Preparation is key
2. Concentrate on the job
3. Don't hurry, enjoy the experience

I'm struggling now with maintaining the edge. I bought a strop, with a back felt with chromium oxide. Have to keep working on technique as I can feel the blade dragging now. More learning ahead. Watch those videos, practice that grip for stropping, watch the angle. Still more to learn, more skill to build, but this has been a rewarding adventure. I can do this!!! I enjoy this!!

Thanks for all the help and for letting me join this fraternity,

Hello, piperjim, and welcome to Straight Razor Place. Yes, there is a lot to learn, but you're examining everything and proceeding slowly and methodically. Good show.

Jim, Welcome to Straight Razor Place!
Good write-up. Thanks for sharing.

From one piper to another, welcome aboard!

I'm assuming you bought a hanging strop. If so, you might want to try taking the strop apart and laying the piece you're going to strop with flat on the edge of a clean and dry countertop, and strop with it like that for a couple of weeks. This has a couple of benefits: it will make you go slow, thus lessening the likelihood that you'll nick it, and it will allow you to master the flip. I didn't do this when I first started out; nobody suggested it, but I wish somebody had. Good luck and have fun!

Jim,

Welcome to the most friendly, helpful and informative site on the web!!

You will find members here of all different backgrounds, ages and occupations from all corners of the world and all with a quest for more knowledge about using and maintaining a straight razor!

It sounds like you have done what I've told countless numbers of Newbie's to do and that is to be Patient!

To be honest, by nature I'm not a patient man, but I quickly learned that Patience was the Top Priority with this age old art!

Enjoy the Ride! It's a Long Strange Trip/But Well Worth the Journey

Welcome to SRP, Jim! You sure have the right frame of mind for this endeavor. Keep up the good work!

Thanks for the nice words of encouragement!! Much appreciated and glad to know this community is here to help a newbie along the path to enlightenment!

Welcome piperjim!

All sounds well and normal. I expect some of the declining results are due to stropping issues....either rolling the edge a little or just not getting as much benefit as you should from stropping. I agree with Durhampiper that you may want to lay the strop flat to take tension out of the equation. I'd also skip the crox felt for a while, and use it only as a refresh tool later. For now, you may want to use the untreated side of the felt and/or the back of the leather for 10-20 licks first, then the smooth leather for 50-60 or more. Laying it flat can be very helpful. I almost always use a paddle strop now with great results.

Go slow and enjoy!

Thanks for that tip.....I will try the flat surface under my strop and give it some serious concentration!!!

Appreciate it much.

piperjim

Harold:

I thought I saw something about stropping.....it said that it is only effective if it's done quickly, as opposed to slow (like my newbie stroke). What's your experience....or other folks? Does speed make a difference when it comes to stropping?

Thanks
piperjim

Originally Posted by Haroldg48

Welcome piperjim!

All sounds well and normal. I expect some of the declining results are due to stropping issues....either rolling the edge a little or just not getting as much benefit as you should from stropping. I agree with Durhampiper that you may want to lay the strop flat to take tension out of the equation. I'd also skip the crox felt for a while, and use it only as a refresh tool later. For now, you may want to use the untreated side of the felt and/or the back of the leather for 10-20 licks first, then the smooth leather for 50-60 or more. Laying it flat can be very helpful. I almost always use a paddle strop now with great results.

Go slow and enjoy!