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Couple of Questions.
I bought two razors and a strop off of one of your members earlier this week.
I dont have the following: Strop paste, badger or horse or any other kind of hair brush, lather specific soap, mug, pre shave oil. Now naturally I have shaving cream. What of the missing items listed above are absolute must have's and will the lack of any of the abovementioned items stop me from being able to enjoy a shave? If anyone has kit or a package deal that includes most or all of my missing items for a reasonable price I would appreciate it. If no one has one available can someone point me in the right direction of where I could get one. And after I actually receive my items i will fire off a few questions on proper procedures. Any help is greatly appreciated guys. David.
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David,
Any mug will do for now and both soap and brush can be found in the shaving section of any Rite Aid, CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Eckerd, etc.... drug store. Burma Shave, Surrey, etc.... all make less than $10 brushes. Soap may be Williams, Surrey or Colgate in these stores and is about $1 to $2. your strop will likely be fine without paste if noew or reasonably used. Older strops may be a bit dry but will still get the job done if your razor is already sharp.
Dull used razors? Well different stuff is needed. A hone, maybe a pasted strop, abrasive pastes and some instruction.
Tell us about the razors and strop and we will be better able to help you.
Tony
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Well here it is. Razor number one is a Henckels #276 mirror finished blade and shiny off white celluloid handles, blade was hones and tested once to make sure it was shave ready. Razor number two is a Red Injun, H Boker & Co. full 5/8 blade has a morror finish blade also honed and tested at least once to insure shave ready. The strop is brand spanking new.
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Sounds like 2 really nice razors and since they were honed and tested you are in good shape as far as sharpness is concerned.
Since your strop is new, and I am assuming it is one of Gerorges strops it probably has the very slick reddish surface. You will unlikely need a conditioning paste or dressing for quite a while.
Sounds like you are set for equipment and just need to visit the local drug store for a brush and soap.
Tony
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Nifty, according to priority mail shipping standards should be getting here tommorow. Just in time too i need to shave. :D
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Just my two cents here.
Now that you have the tools the next areas are shave prep and technique.
For me, the most important element is lots of hot water on the face to soften up the whiskers.
lLet us know how it goes and what your beard prep routine you use.
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I'm planning on using the LUSH brand Ambrosia Shave Cream without a brush to apply since it goes on super smooth with no foam and has provided me with incredibly smooth cartridge shaves when I use it. Of course, this is all theory right now, but it should dispense with need for any brush.
X
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It's 930 in the A.M. here in NYC and I am so excited jumping in my seat at work. There isn't even a gurantee it will get here today. Let alone now, have to wait till at least 11. Anticipation what a killer.
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Welcome to the group. I just want to add that you do not need to spend a fortune on everything. However I noticed that you too are from NYC. If you want a laugh there is a place on Madison Avenue and I think 46th call the Art of the Shave. Expensive but interesting scents.
RichZ in NYC
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Razors and Strop received!! Now all I have to do is wait till 5 o clock to go home and then shave.
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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.
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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 :D . 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?
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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)
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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
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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, :)
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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
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When you are first starting, it helps to use smaller strokes as well, until you become comfy with the razor and the routine. Lynn