Thread: Total Noob here

Hey folks. About 10 years ago I bought a straight razor and a strop. Tried shaving with it, got a lousy shave, put it away. I'm assuming the biggest problem was sharpness rather than technique.

Recently came across a box filled with my wife's stepfather's old junk in it, and lots of the stuff was from when he went to Barber school years ago so there was about 5 straight razors in it.

Anyway, this find got me interested in looking around shaving forums and I found out that there is lots of guys using the safety razor. So I sent for a sample of blades and tried shaving with an old Gillette and a Merkur I bought for my father years ago after getting a good lather with some Proraso. Well, I hated it. I found it very difficult to get a good shave with and I used the recommended angle and pressure. It wouldn't give me as good a shave as my trusty Gillette Sensor.

So I'd like to give the straight razor a shot again, but I've got a question.

Should I get the Solingen I bought years ago sharpened or should I buy a new blade of good quality and get that sharpened? The Solingen I bought I'm sure wasn't more than $40, but I can't be sure.

I hate to spend a lot of money if this is something I don't stick with, but I'd also hate it if the reason I don't stick with it is because the Solingen I have now isn't good quality enough to give a good shave.

Darn, I meant to post this in Newbies Corner. Sorry.

I'm sure the razor you already have is fine. Get it honed up and try it. Don't spend any money you don't want to spend. Unless ofcourse its for a good strop....

If the razor you have looks half decent, i.e, no major rust or chips, I'd have one of the honemeisters here sharpen it for you. (So long as it doesn't say Zeepkt anywhere on it )

As a newbie myself (dang I look forward to the day I don't have to preface everything I say with that), I've found a sharp blade is just the tip of the iceberg. There is technique to learn, such as , the angle of the blade, how to hold the blade, blade pressure,etc. but there is also the preshave ritual of lathering and presoftening the beard.

I strongly recommend Lynn Abrams DVD on str8 razor shaving. I would also suggest that the time spent browsing the posts here at SRP will be time well spent.

Good luck, and keep the styptic pencil handy. Or if you're a real pessimist put 911 on speed dial.

Cabo Sailor

I'd say go for it with your older one. Send it to one of our fantastic honemeisters here. At the worst, you'll be out a couple dollars for shipping it to them and them telling you it's not a good razor. Chances are though it just needs a good cleaning and honing, in which case you're still only out $20 or so.

For your first shave, just remember this: have patience! There's almost a 100% chance your shave won't be the greatest. Think of it like the first time you drove a car- you made it, but the ride sucked. After a little practice though, everything went fine and now you don't think anything of it.

Yes, send it for honing.

Having said this, even a fantastic edge doesn't just work magically. There are many other variables. Prep is crucial, and so is technique. Sometimes the skin itself needs to get adjusted, etc.

I think straights rule - but you do need to realize that getting a good straight shave may require much more than a honing by a honemeister

Good luck!
Ivo

Thanks for the advice guys. I think I' send for the Lynn Abrams DVD and get my razor honed.

I'm interested in straight razor shaving for probably the same reason most of you got into this: No more buying expensive cartridges. Don't have to worry about running out of expensive cartridges. Going back to an older way of doing things, etc.

But after some practice, can I expect to get better or equal shaves to what I get with a Sensor Excel? After my experience with safety razors, I'm a little pessimistic that my shaves will be just as good. Since I started using Proraso, my shaves with the Sensor are pretty perfect and irritation free. I also don't shave against the grain and my shaves have gotten a lot smoother than when I used creams and gels in a can.