Thread: My shaving quest after six weeks with the straight

Hi, folks. First I want to say, what a totally awesome site this is. Lynn, I wish I could shake your hand and tell you how much I have learned in the last two months and how much I appreciate your site.

Here is where I am at after six weeks of using my straight razor. I use a Dovo, 5/8" stainless steel blade with Olive wood scales. It was pre-sharpened by a hone master in Montreal, Quebec.

Also, I have recently purchased a Thiers Issard Singing 5/8" Le Canadien with imitation tortoise shell scales. I'm just waiting for it to be sharpened and will hopefully pick it up this week.

I started my shaving odyssey using Col Conk Bay Rum glycerin based soap, but I am finding that it dries my skin out too much and have decided to try some Castle Forbes Lime Essential oil shave cream and see how that goes.

My first few shaves I did exactly as I read from Lynn's post in the beginners section. I had a few bumpy learning curves, nicked myself a few times, not badly but enough to instill patience and caution. Along with some advice and comments from people here on SRP.

Now I am at the point where I shave every morning and am constantly amazed at what a close shave I get and how much I now enjoy my shaving routine. I give myself 20 - 30 minutes each morning for shaving. I think I have finally conquered my chin, that was the toughest part to learn to shave.

I generally go over my face three times each morning and then a final pass just with water using my fingers to search for any area that I missed and/or didn't get as close as I would like.

I have an Illinois #127 leather strop with a linen strop on the other side. I am not sure when or how often I should use the linen strop yet.

This is my morning shave routine.
hot water and hot face cloth
Proraso Pre-shave cream
Lather with my Badger Brush and Col Conk
shave as required
rinse
apply Primalan after-shave almond emulsion and a tiny splash of Virgin Island Bay rum.

That's my routine. I'm wondering if I should be using a toner before I apply the Primalan to help close that pores but I rinse with cold water before applying the Primalan and Bay Rum.

Any comment or suggestions are welcome.

Thanks again for a great, informative site.

Chris in Red Deer, Alberta

Sounds like you're doing great!

Congratulations!

I also have the Illinois 127 and just started using the linen side. I find it is helpful to do 20 or 30 laps on the linen before going to the leather side. I then do from 50 to 100 laps on leather depending on how quickly the edge comes around.

Originally Posted by ace

Congratulations!

I also have the Illinois 127 and just started using the linen side. I find it is helpful to do 20 or 30 laps on the linen before going to the leather side. I then do from 50 to 100 laps on leather depending on how quickly the edge comes around.

Hi and thanks for the comments. Ace, how do you know what you refer to as the edge coming around? I am getting good shave results but have still been unable to cut a hair as shown in some of the videos which kind of mystifies me.
Chris

Congrats on embracing one of the finest things in life a man can enjoy.
I started in December of last year with the straight. I can only tell you after 50 shaves or so, last night was a big step forward. I learned I wasn't stropping enough in the beginning. I now rub my palm on the strop for 50 laps then strop for 40 to 60 laps, shave and strop 40 to 60 after the shave. I shaved with my Dovo Prima Klang last night and got the best results to date. I use a Big Daddy Latigo and it is breaking in nicely. I have looked at many edges using the Radio Shack scope, and I have learned that just because an edge looks great doesn't mean great results. I now lightly pluck the blade to help determine the sharpness. I have started to hone and still use the scope for checking the blade. Keep up the good work.

Shikano--Wow!--Congratulations--I think you're doing great. Dittos to everything you said about this site.