Thread: How did you learn?

I assume this has been done before, but since everyone seems to say "start with a shave ready razor", how many of us actually did? My first real straight was a new one (not shave ready) and I learned to hone and shave at the same time (ouch)

I got my first razor from Trumpers, and I did ask if it was shave ready. They said they hone them all themselves to make sure they are ready to go. They werent kidding either, that thing was sharp!

Its good to start with a shave ready razor, as this means you can start using it right away and it also gives a benchmark when you start honing yourself.

But if you learnt both at the same time, then well done..!

I started with a shavette, and just ordered a best quality set from SRD, which comes shave ready.

Eventually I'd like to learn how to hone, but first I'd really like to get consistent BBS shaves.

Thats awesome that you learned both at the same time. Was it difficult?

Originally Posted by freyguy

Thats awesome that you learned both at the same time. Was it difficult?

Well it would certainly have been a quicker process if I had a shave ready razor. I did have a benchmark of what a sharp blade should shave like as I had a cheap handle that used 1/2 a double edge blade.

I learned how to straight shave on disposables straight blades. I quickly learned that I need some good straight shaving soaps and a good performing badger brush. After that, I moved up the learning curve with authority.

Then came fixed razors, stropping, light honing, and stone honing, which was another big step in straight shaving.

The Good News; SRP Wiki and SRP members do an outstanding job guiding you along.

Pabster

Originally Posted by Pabster

The Good News; SRP Wiki and SRP members do an outstanding job guiding you along.

Pabster

Absolutely!! This is an incredibly usefull resource. It's like having hundreds of barber grandfathers at your side

I learned how to shave from a number of sources, starting with talks with my father. I have never bought a shave ready razor so I started honing my own. In this regard, I did have the advantage of prior experience with other edged tools, and I don't find razor honing different in principle from putting a good edge on any tool.

My learning curve has been slow going and tough as I had to take this journey on the cheap. Basically I learned which were the good and bad razors, what to look for when buying, how to make scales, clean up & polish blades (still working on that one) how to shave, make lather, honing all at the same time. Been a lot of fun but have had some bad moments too, but that's to be expected when taking on that much at one time. I'm still here with only minor cuts and best of all....no scars!

In the mid 1980s I had a friend who owned and operated a barber shop that was a sort of hangout for a group of us. I began collecting straight razors and picking the brain of the 70 year old barber who worked for my friend. I learned to shave and hone after a fashion but gave it up shortly thereafter.

Coming back to it 25 years later I learned to shave from this wonderful forum and to hone from up close and personal tutoring by TheTopher and from telephone conversations with both Lynn and with Randydance. The SRP Wiki tutorials and the videos as well as a lot of practice. Truth is I am still learning most times I lay steel to stone.

Originally Posted by Pabster

I learned how to straight shave on disposables straight blades. I quickly learned that I need some good straight shaving soaps and a good performing badger brush. After that, I moved up the learning curve with authority.

Then came fixed razors, stropping, light honing, and stone honing, which was another big step in straight shaving.

The Good News; SRP Wiki and SRP members do an outstanding job guiding you along.

Pabster

Yeah I'm in a similar position. I figured I'll give the soap which comes with the set a try before I make any other purchases.

Is there a way to test products out. I've browsed prices, and with some of the balms and creams costing $50 and more, it seems like a lot of money just to see if you like it.