Thread: Couple of Questions.

Razors and Strop received!! Now all I have to do is wait till 5 o clock to go home and then shave.

Score! Just came back from the store down the block from my office, got a Surrey soap and boar bristle brush. So now I have two razors a strop, soap, and brush. Let the shaving begin. I'll check this a few times before I'm actually home and shaved. So any pointers will be appreciated. Then I'll give you a rundown on my prep and results then you can tell me what I should have done differently.

Damn that was me again.

OK I just completed my first straight razor shave and I must say I'm very proud of myself, I nicked myself once and no more. First I used hot water to soften up my face then I applied my shaving cream followed by a good few swipes on my strop then as stressed stretche my skin and began to shave. I got a little carried away and cut a nice chunk of my beard off on one side. ( I have the bootstrap, my girlfriend likes it) which I didn't mean to do. I evened it up as best I could, shaved my cheeks did what I consider a decent beginner job on my throat and voila I'm done with only one nick . Now I was having issues with my neck, I am certain I missed a few spots and the spots I didn't miss are covered in razor burn. So what should I have done differently?

Here is what I do for prep. Hot shower, leave face wet, put on preshave cream (either prorasso or creamo cream) lather face, then strop razor 25- 30 trips. Then I shave, first with the grain then against. This is what works for me. Hope it helps. 8) 8)

Thanks Rich. Whats the point of stropping th eblade so many times? and I have some minor issues with my neck and going against the grain in general. Help

Since no one has replied to your last question I will try.

The 25-35 laps on the leather strop is a standard number that a lot of people use. It gives a better result than less laps.

Since you have now shaved with the razor the procedure for the next time is to use the linen side first for 25-35 laps than use the plain leather strop for 25-35 laps.

The razor burn is normal the first time you use a razor. It will take a week or two for your skin to adjust. To reduce the razor burn be sure to use only the amount of pressure necessary, no more.

The second thing is to focus on the beard prep. The whiskers must be fully saturated with water. This is the single most important part of beard prep. A couple splashes of water is not sufficent.
After my shower I apply the shaving lather and then strop my razors that I will be using. I relather between each of the razors. After the stropping is completed I rub the lather into my face then rinse it off and apply some new lather. During the shave I will frquently dip my brush in hat water and rework the lather a bit. I simply want to keep the lather moist.
I have yet to use a pre shave oil or cream but I am now using a small amount of skin cream that I apply just before the last lather and work that into my whiskers quite well then apply the lather over that. It seems to help a bit.

Hope this helps,

So, slow and steady, get comfortable with grips etc etc, and make sure my face is sopping wet. Sounds like a btter plan then slow and steady. :P

When you are first starting, it helps to use smaller strokes as well, until you become comfy with the razor and the routine. Lynn