Been straight razor shaving for a month, and here's what works

I am a newbie.

I use a high-quality "Friodur" razor ($146) that I mailed off to be professionally honed ($22).

What seems to work for me is:

First, strop the razor (hanging strop).

1. Wash the face and neck with hot water.
2. Hold a steaming hot (soaking wet) washcloth against mustache/chin/mouth area for 15 seconds.
3. Apply "Edge" shave cream to said mustache/chin/mouth area.
4. Shave said mustache/chin/mouth area ... very carefully.

5. Hold the steaming hot wash cloth against the upper face area (cheeks) for 15 seconds.
6. Apply "Edge" shave cream to said upper face area.
7. Shave said area.

8. Hold the steaming hot wash cloth against the neck.
9. Apply "Edge" shave cream to neck.
10. Shave the neck.

11. Clean off shave cream residue (and blood) with wash cloth.
12. Take a shower.
13. Apply a post-shave.

I don't switch hands; I use only my right hand to shave.

I've tried (so far) one pre-shave lotion and two different shave oils; they do nothing for me.

cool I'm pretty new too. is edge a canned gel?

your shave will probably work better with a brush and bowl. i say this because you can tweak how wet the lather is and the brush allows you to work it into the beard for a better prep. go to your favorite supermarket and pick up a vanderhagen wet shaving set and try it out

A fine quality soap (I use Mama Bears) and a quality cream (I use the green tube from Bath and Body) to work up your own creamy lather will have you never using a canned gel or cream again.

Canned goo with a straight razor?... that's a sacrilege!!!!

Get a badger brush and some shave soap.

Why not shower before the shave, rather than after?

Yeah, in my experience any shaving cream which shoots out of a can on command, ready to be applied to the face, its not suitable for the purpose for which it is intended. Check out the forums for recommendations on shaving creams and soaps which would suit an SR shaver much better :)

Daniel

Oh and by the way, welcome to the forum :) I have actually been in Plano Texas for about 6 weeks back in 2011 to do some training for a company I worked for. Was an awesome place but boy does it get HOT there. Still have my Love n War in Texas souvenir beer glass :beer2:, great steaks in that place! :)

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Originally Posted by gunsandbibles

cool I'm pretty new too. is edge a canned gel?

your shave will probably work better with a brush and bowl. i say this because you can tweak how wet the lather is and the brush allows you to work it into the beard for a better prep. go to your favorite supermarket and pick up a vanderhagen wet shaving set and try it out

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Edge is a canned gel, and is the smoothest stuff I've ever used.

I have a badger brush, and have tried three different "cakes" for lather (including something called wool soap). I just didn't have any luck with them.

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Originally Posted by jbtusa

Canned goo with a straight razor?... that's a sacrilege!!!!

Get a badger brush and some shave soap.

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I know, I know, it's against tradition to use canned stuff with a straight razor. I don't have any luck with a cake and a shaving brush; the resulting lather doesn't protect my face.

Canned gel might upset the razor gods.

To keep it simple, try making lather with a glycerin soap and a good quality shaving cream (Prorasso is a good introductory product). Add a few additional drops of glycerin and you'll have a concoction known as ubberlather. No canned gel or foam is remotely close to it. If you use a shaving scuttle, you can make warm lather, try doing that with your can of Edge.

doesn't uber have to user soap and cream and glycerin

also bath and body works has a cream called cl bigelow if soap ain't your thing give it a whirl. also make sure your lather is wet because dryer lather doesn't protect

Yes, ubber uses soap, cream and glycerin, that is what I mention in my post. Only difference is I prefer glycerin soaps, they are better on my skin.

I don't know but I've been told: Using gell will shrink your, "you know".

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Originally Posted by Razorthin

Yes, ubber uses soap, cream and glycerin, that is what I mention in my post. Only difference is I prefer glycerin soaps, they are better on my skin.

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oh sorry i didn't catch the glycerin soap bit

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Originally Posted by markddunn

I have a badger brush, and have tried three different "cakes" for lather (including something called wool soap). I just didn't have any luck with them.

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If you're referring to Mitchell's Wool Fat it isn't the easiest to get lather from IME. With pucks like the wool fat, all of them really, I began leaving a little water covering the puck for 5 minutes. Pour that into the lather bowl and then build lather on the softened puck. Give it a try, might work well for you.

++ on water the puck minutes before use. I use momma bears and love how it lathers. I tried some creams and Al's did a great job of lathering but it takes some work. Brother, if what comes out of a can satisfies you then so be it. I have used that stuff in the past and it worked for me at the time but after learning how to make the puck work, I find it much better for the straight shave. It's like it doesn't get under the blade and so it cuts closer. Only way I can describe it. But once again , go with what works for you and your routine.

I only know of one guy that pissed off the razor gods. May he rest in peace.:cry:

I , as well , most often use "Mama Bears" shaving soap.

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Originally Posted by gsurko

I don't know but I've been told: Using gell will shrink your, "you know".

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You might be right if he tries to shave his you know what...

Don't worry about the straight razor Gods. All they insist is you shave with a slick lather, shave ready razor and you are good to go.
never tried a Gel with a straight but if it works for you then why not.
Don't give up on the soap. These are a learning curve by themselves but once you dial in it is all worth it.
Try making a few batches of lather just to test.