My First Straight Razor has arrived!

I have to upload the razor pics, but here is my initial order that just arrived:

1 x D.R. Harris Lavender Shave Soap in Mahogany Bowl
1 x Norton 4000/8000 honing stone
1 x Dovo Red "Bismarck" 6/8" Straight Razor Set
1 x 3" Black Latigo Leather (not pictured)
1 x Simpson Beaufort B4 Pure Badger Shaving Brush
1 x Classic Shaving Mug
1 x Lavender Soap from SRD
1 x Alum Block

The only thing I am unsure about is the SRD Soap. It's a clear, hard gel-like soap and not the white soap I'm used to seeing. Smells a little weird to me. Is that because I'm smelling it dry and new from the container? I hope that the smell becomes more fragrant after water is applied and it's lathered on!

The D.R. Harris soap is a white puck and it smells much better! Either way, I am super happy with the purchase and I will post some close up pics of the razor soon!

Congrats on your new stuff. Now get to shaving!!

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Originally Posted by Mvcrash

Congrats on your new stuff. Now get to shaving!!

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I can't wait! I wanted to do it tomorrow, but my AOS cream and after shave won't be here until Friday. So I am debating on shaving with just the soap and the razor......or practicing something I'm not good at: abstinence!

lets hope you like shaving with a straight :D

Congrats on a sophisticated starter kit!

Do yourself a quick favor and stash that Norton stone away from two months. If you're like most people, your technique will be off and you will think that the blade isn't 'quite sharp enough' and pull out the hone and end up pooching the edge. Put it away for a couple months until your technique improves...then revisit the honing idea. :cool:

Just make sure your razor was honed by a pro,and if it was ,great. I would also ask if it was stropped,so all you have to do is rinse the blade off and shave.

That's a very nice shaving kit you have there. Congratulations.

If your straight razor is shave ready you won't ned to strop it for your first shave. Remember to practice your stropping with a butter or table knife before you begin to strop your razor. Then, go a bit slow with the stropping to avoid nicking your strop. As you gain in experience and confidence, you'll be able to increase the speed with which you strop your straight razor somewhat.

Take care--and smooth shaving.

Thanks for all the tips and encouragement. The razor should be shave ready; I got it from Straight Razor Designs, and from what I have seen, they ship with the razors all ready to go.

I don't plan to hone for at least 2-3 months, so no worries there!

I like the butter knife idea to practice stropping. I plan to do something like 40 passes on the nylon side, 50 on the leather side (all preshave), and then about 30 on the leather side after the shave when I'm done. That would be my regular routine after I get my first shave under the belt.

I was pretty determined to do the entire shave with my dominant (right) hand, but after watching some videos and tutorials, I think I may try to use the left hand on the left side of the face, and also on the right side of my neck.

Do you guys use both hands too? I know it's all personal preference, but I'm curious!

You've got a nice start, there. I use both hands shaving. Right on right and left on left for the WTG pass, the right on left, etc for the XTG pass and ATG pass. Start slow and get used to the WTG pass before doing the other two.

Just a quick word about the shaving cream... I don't know if you've used cream and a brush before, and if you have - disregard the following - but a little bit of cream (especially AOS) goes a very long way. I had to learn this the hard way and ended up with too much cream, not enough water, and the lather drying out on my facing and having to be reapplied repeatedly.

I'd recommended tinkering with water/cream mixtures, lathering up the inside of your forearm - yes, you'll look like a dork... my fiancee thought I was nuts when she saw it - and let it sit for a few minutes to see if it starts to dry out. If it starts to disappear and there are holes popping up in your lather, then you need more water. Just an idea. :) Happy shaving...

Great looking kit. But you forgot the styptic :gaah: Just joshin ya.

As a fellow newb, I started in December, I can say that the styptic can be definate motivation for taking your time and not cutting any corners.:tameshigiri:

Get ready to have a great time shaving. (never thought I would say that...)

@smreno77 - I actually have some cream from AOS coming this friday. I will be using a little cream mixed into the soap to make a nice lather. At least, that's my plan!

@overindulgent - I do have Alum Block, which I believe is used to help seal up cuts. Or am I mistaken?

Jeff you never told me you joined here!
Good to see you. Nice gear, ill be over soon to check it out in person!

Congrat's on your new kit! You're gonna love shaving with a SR, anything else will seem, uncivilized!;)

I love the Harris lavender soap.

It's my number one choice when reaching for a soap.

Your other stuff look great enjoy the ride!