Thread: Having Trouble Shaving and Need Some HELP!

My number one rule for new guys that want to learn this hobby:

* Don't try to hone your razor at all until you can shave with a well honed one you bought from someone that's known for their razor honing.


That's it.

Hope that helps.

After listening to that rule following some others:

2) learn to strop, turning your wrist, incorrect strokes. etc, they all lead to dull razors in just a few shaves.

3) Don't buy hones for a few months!

Originally Posted by Disburden

* Don't try to hone your razor at all until you can shave with a well honed one you bought from someone that's known for their razor honing.

2) learn to strop, turning your wrist, incorrect strokes. etc, they all lead to dull razors in just a few shaves.

3) Don't buy hones for a few months!

+1 with what Disburden said. Get a professionally sharpened razor and forget about honing for the first while. Removing the "honing factor" at the beginning allows you to concentrate on the basics like prep, proper stropping and shaving techniques. Don't worry, there will be plenty of time to learn the honing ropes!

RBF:

To put this in perspective I had to go with some of your older posts

starting here: where you comment on the wealth of Knowledge that is SRP...

http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...hello-all.html


Then here where you ignore that wealth of Knowledge that is SRP..

http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...ld-razors.html

You got two razors with unknown edges, that you Sharpened (not honed) on unknown stones with no razor honing experience..

Then you post this thread and ask why you can't shave???

My suggestion and I realize that Robin is now grinning from ear to freaking ear...
Start in the Wiki with the Newb section and explore that wealth of knowledge first, then realize that you did EXACTLY what we say not to do, follow the links from the Wiki to more detailed explanations of this hobby we persue...Read Lynn's section on the first shave...

And send me one of those razors so I can get you started off with a real edge, (God I hope these razors are honable) which I will hone for free, but only if you promise to read all that while the razor is here and in the mail.. (Postage is on you)

My dear RBF:

I concur with Glen — absolutely.

Please take his advice and do the necessary research. While reading up, also please take his offer to hone your razor — without charge. Glen is a master of his trade and he will turn your razor into a gem.

Regards,
Obie

I got my first straight razor in college from my room mate. Fortunately, he have me a good one (Double Duck). I was working at a bike shop at the time and a couple of doors down was a barber shop where my dad used to go and I did as a kid. The same old barber was still there. I asked him to teach me how to shave with it. The first thing he did was check the razor's edge and strop it, showing me everything. If you can find an old barber who still knows how to use one, that might be a place to get some first hand advice and a lesson.

BTW, I remember asking him where he learned how to shave with a straight, and his reply was ....prison!

Goog

Goog,

This is the best advice I've gotten.

Thanks,

Ryan

Originally Posted by greatgoogamooga

I got my first straight razor in college from my room mate. Fortunately, he have me a good one (Double Duck). I was working at a bike shop at the time and a couple of doors down was a barber shop where my dad used to go and I did as a kid. The same old barber was still there. I asked him to teach me how to shave with it. The first thing he did was check the razor's edge and strop it, showing me everything. If you can find an old barber who still knows how to use one, that might be a place to get some first hand advice and a lesson.

BTW, I remember asking him where he learned how to shave with a straight, and his reply was ....prison!

Goog