Straight Razor Video

[mantic]

My latest video, "Straight Razor Information Resources," has been posted!

--Mark

[Magruder]

Good stuff, as always, Mark. I haven't taken the plunge on a straight yet, but I'm thinking about it.

So that's what Joel looks like...

[joel]

Good stuff, as always, Mark. I haven't taken the plunge on a straight yet, but I'm thinking about it.

So that's what Joel looks like...

Hahaha - awhile ago. You'll see me update, in a less nerdy shirt soon when the new instructional videos come out

As a side note - the stropping technique is fine in that video - but the strop should be MUCH more taut - there is WAY too much sag in that strop when stropping (Read: what NOT to do). If you notice - I had to rig up a silly little cord to the faucet head in order to fasten the strop - normally there should be NO sag in the strop whilst stropping.

[bearbeard]

very nice Mark. and Joel.

[berzerkeleyan]

That was fun to watch. Thanks, guys.

[pokkuhlag]

Nice one Joel and mantic and nice timing, just when I want to try out straight razor shaving soon.
It's good to hear Joel is going to make some more video's about it.

[rtaylor61]

In the video Joel mentions while stropping that you want to turn the razor over on it's edge...but he meant to say that you roll the razor over on it's spine.

Randy

[Scorpio]

I was just curious...how old is that video?

Raf

[joel]

I was just curious...how old is that video?

Raf

Uhhh.... hmmm... what - 1.5 years or so?

[Mottern Man]

Hahaha - awhile ago. You'll see me update, in a less nerdy shirt soon when the new instructional videos come out

It was a bit loud but their is nothing wrong with it!

Great Video BTW, I am not as scared of straits as I once was!

[izlat]

wow, Joel is very young!

and yes, I would strop more than that. The slack is open to discussion, I think, as I have seen other experts do it with more. I myself go by feel - sometimes tighter, sometimes not. Pressure also varies, even during the stropping itself...

but I watched the other Mantic videos and still can't get over the fact how you guys talk while you shave... I don't think I'll live if I try this

edit: and, fwiw, Bill Ellis turns when honing w/ edge facing down - he figures he can repair the edge, but if he cuts himself (because of his speed) it would be worse.

[netsurfr]

Ran across this video not too long ago. Don't know whether anyone has ever seen it. http://www.tidewriter.com/shave-hi_barberland.htm
Steve

[19george]

The angle that guy is using is insane!!!

I mean it looks like he knows what he's talking about, but down the cheek its especially crazy. I don't know, It could just be because he's using a mannequin.

[crackstar]

ah, pulling the skin taut is something I just cannot do--when I use my Dovo Bismarck, I shave with no stretching, simply because it's much too painful for me. You guys have no idea how much it hurts, and I mean HURTS!

Jeff

[netsurfr]

The angle that guy is using is insane!!!

I mean it looks like he knows what he's talking about, but down the cheek its especially crazy. I don't know, It could just be because he's using a mannequin.

The thing that bothered me about this video is that the shaving direction for with the grain is a very personal thing. I found that after I let my beard grow out for a couple of days and really examined my growth pattern, I got much more comfortable with taking the first pass with the grain. For example, my neck growth is not straight down but is outward toward the jugular until I get to the bottom of the neck. Trying to shave straight down on the first pass was the equivalent to shaving partially against the grain and was very uncomfortable when I first started shaving (OK, painful). Everyone starting with str8 shaving should begin with getting a really good feeling (literally) for the lay of their beard.

Steve

[19george]

Excellent point Steve.

Beyond the angle though what was really disturbing was watching a bald man with a ponytail.


Jeff, I've never heard of someone being in pain from stretching the skin. I can't imagine how you can get a good and comfortable shave without stretching the skin. I wish I could help you. Alas, maybe some of the more seasoned straight shavers will come to the rescue.

[crackstar]

George, it's a neurological problem I have. I was examined by 2 top doctors who took scans, x-rays, etc. They were baffled at finding no apparent cause. I cannot begin to describe the pain I get if I try to stretch my skin. It's just unbearable.

Jeff

[berzerkeleyan]

Jeff, I'm curious...is it painful simply stretching the skin? Or stretching the skin and then shaving?