Thread: Beginners advice needed

This is my first post to this community so I would like to say hello to everyone.

I would first like to start out with how I found this community. It is reasonably safe for me to say that I have experienced some very bad shave experiences that I would never wish on another person. When I was about 17 I started out with a Gillette cartridge razor. My experience back then with shaving was always decent, my hair wasn’t coarse, and I didn’t have much of it. As I aged a bit, I found it harder and harder to get a decent shave. I was always plagued with razor bumps, ingrown hairs, and all day burn if I would ever touch the places I had shaved with the razor. Trying to achieve a better shave, I turned to an expensive electric shaver. This dealt with most of the razor bumps and ingrown hair, but I was never able to achieve a close shave. My face would feel like sandpaper after I was done. So recently I gave up the electric shaver and made a move back to shaving. I can’t say my results got any better. I discovered that using a cartridge razor and going with the grain, and only using 1 pass, I can avoid almost all razor bumps, and never see any ingrown hairs. But one pass was never enough to get a decent shave, even though I was using the 4 blade Gillette razor. So the other night I decided that I wanted a baby smooth shave. I hopped in the shower, and kept my face splashed with warm water for about 20 minutes. Got done with my business, hopped out and went to the sink. Kept hot water splashing on my face and squirted some barbasol into my hand spread it on my face. First I did one run with the grain to cut the hair down to size. Then I applied more shaving cream and began my "upward battle". With this brand new 4 blade razor, it took me 3 strokes upward to get rid of the hair. Paying close attention to use just enough pressure so the razor wouldn’t pull, I finished my lower neck area. After about 20 seconds, I smelled blood. Looking at my neck there were at least 30 tiny hair follicle spots that had a tiny bit of blood coming out So I finished up my face, and determined to find out why this was happening I took some time to ponder. 4 razor blades, 1 time down. Then 3 times up, that’s 16 times the razor is passing over my skin. I remember thinking to myself, how on earth is a razor passing over your skin 16 times, or even 8 at that good for you. Then I remembered on my 21st birthday, my aunt who works at a barber shop, treated me to the nicest hair cut and grooming I have ever had. She used a straight blade on the back of my neck and sideburns. I remember the amazement at the time of seeing the thing, the initial "oh sh**" factor, and then marveling at the feeling of it doing its work. No pulling, no irritation, nothing. I remember for about 30 minutes all I could do is rub my fingers over the skin she shaved and being completely impressed. So after my assumptions of over shaving with too many razor blades, and my recollection of that wonderful barber shop shave, I decided that I would teach myself how to perform a shave like that. The end result of the process of researching and reading up lead me here. To which I was hoping I could have some help from this community in there thoughts on the equipment I have purchased, and what I still need to purchase to be able to start my training on how to properly shave. I have had a major awakening in the area of shaving, just reading about all the things that I was never taught. Mainly the use of a brush. I made a promise to myself that I would learn the art of shaving properly, and then pass it down to my sons if I ever have any.

Now I would like to add for about the last week I have been soaking up every bit of information I can get on straight razors. I read the book "The Art of the Straight Razor Shave", every single post in the how-to and why section of classicshaving.com, And every article on the first two pages of Google about straight shaving. I am at the point where I need to stop reading and start practicing. And my face has had adequate time to heal since the last butchering lol.

Anyway, let’s get down to business.

I need help on ensuring that I have all the equipment necessary for a proper shave. From the honing, to the stropping, maintenance, shave, and skin care. I have already purchased some items which should be shipped out sometime this week. They are listed below with the links to look at the specifications.

DOVO Russian Leather Strop

Vulfix Best Badger Shaving Brush

Taylor of Old Bond Street Luxury Shaving Cream, 150gm Bowl
http://www.classicshaving.com/catalo...60/1165231.htm

Taylor of Old Bond Street Herbal Pre-Shave Gel
http://www.classicshaving.com/catalo...60/1371255.htm

Pinaud/Clubman Styptic Pencil

And finally the razor....

Thiers-Issard "Evide Sonnant Extra" Black, 5/8


That is all the equipment I have purchased so far. I would like to add, that upon reading the art of the straight razor shave, it said in there that new razors don’t come sharpened completely. I noticed that classicshaving has a razor sharpening service so I was planning on using this. With regards to the razor itself, it is not the Sheffield steal that they use on there more expensive models; however it is high carbon steel. I was giving consideration to upgrading to there Sheffield steel model. However any input you can give me on the razor choice, as to if the model I bought will be sufficient for me will be appreciated. Now I already know that I need more equipment, so if you guys could give some suggestions for what I should get that would be great. I do want to be able to have the equipment do the sharpening myself after the initial sharpening by a seasoned pro.

Also, the strop that I purchased, is that sufficient? Do I need more than one strop? And do I need to buy pastes for it. Really any input you can give....

That is about the end of it, if you have read this far, thank you... lol

Welcome to straight shaving. Boy, a lot of questions. Hope I can cover them all. Just a forewarning, I've been doing this for only 4 months or so, and am still learning.
-TI razor - I have no experience with them, but alot of the guys here say they are great. I would recommend having classicshaving get it honed and shave ready for you. Lynn, the guy that does it, is a member here.
-One strop should be fine for starters. I wound up getting a pasted strop a few months after my initial start up. The pasted strop helps "touch up" the edge so I get a better shave without going to the hone.
-creams/brushes - personal preference
-If you wish to learn to hone yourself, get a Norton 4000/8000 hone. Many of the guys here, including myself have one. You may want to get a cheap straight to practice with before putting your new TI to it.
-Keep that styptic pencil handy. I usually need to use that or an Alum block after every shave to stop those little pesky blood spots. Hope that helps - good luck.
Jason

Ok, potentially really dumb question... but where do you buy styptic pencils? I looked at the local longs drugstore and couldn't find one. When I asked the sales drone he was like "uh... maybe the office supplies?"

I'd prefer to pick one up at the store vice buying them over the internet.

-- Gary F.

You should be able to find one in the shaving area of any drug store. I suppose now a days you may have to look into more than one.

I haven't nicked myself in about a year, so don't get the feeling that a straight will cause damage on par with a Mach 4, or whatever they are called now.

Your equipment is excellent, but you'll need time to learn how to use it.

As far as I can see though you have everything (and more) that what I have....doens't look like you need more...except maybe a honing stone...

Originally Posted by gfoster

Ok, potentially really dumb question... but where do you buy styptic pencils? I looked at the local longs drugstore and couldn't find one. When I asked the sales drone he was like "uh... maybe the office supplies?"

I'd prefer to pick one up at the store vice buying them over the internet.

-- Gary F.

If you live in the States or Canada, you can pick them up in any Wal Mart. Here they cost about $2.50CA. I just don't see much of an advantage in using one over just washing your face with cold water after you're done lol.

Originally Posted by gfoster

Ok, potentially really dumb question... but where do you buy styptic pencils? I looked at the local longs drugstore and couldn't find one. When I asked the sales drone he was like "uh... maybe the office supplies?"

I'd prefer to pick one up at the store vice buying them over the internet.

-- Gary F.

Gary,

You can try Albertson's grocery in the shaving section. Walgreens sometimes has them as well.

I guess the thing that worried me the most, is my leather strop has no paste... do i need to buy paste? Or can I strop without paste. This is the strop....

http://www.classicshaving.com/catalo...944/196036.htm

And for a hone, should I get the norton waterstone 3 inch 4000/8000?

Pastes are typically applied to paddle strops or one of the flatbed hone systems from HandAmerica.com. Hanging strops might take a treatment of strop dressing, which conditions the leather and creates a little better drag. It's optional. You can spend a minute or two rubbing your palm on the strop and achieve similar results.

Learn the basics with a razor, a hanging strop and a norton 4k/8k and then you can worry about strop pastes if you want to get exotic. You don't buy a car stereo (nice to have but not necessary) before you learn how to drive.