Newbie Straight razor official "dry" run

As I'm such a noob to wet shaving,
I figured I would try a dry run using a
butter knife (don't laugh!).
Didn't use a pre-shave. Just soaked by
Boar brush for 5 minutes or so in my
lather bowl, moistened my face with hot
water, loaded my brush and away I went.

Lessons I learned from just this practice,
Holy crap! I have the bathroom neatness
of a 5 year old! Water and shaving soap
everywhere! Soap doesn't come off the
blade as easily as I thought. I need a
washcloth/flannel! The angle of my blade
was too steep. I CAN raise a decent bowl
lather with a boar brush. Brush strokes
work better than circular strokes (for me).
given the angle of my neck whiskers, I
will have to section my neck a little more.
i seemed to rush the process a bit, and
need to slow down before using the actual
razor. Lastly, I'm a right sexy wee b*****d!

i will be writing all this down so I can look
back on this in future months when I'm
not so new to it.

Maybe be a couple questions to the pros
before I end.

does one swish their razor in a sink full
of water, or run it under the faucet to
rid it of soap?

washcloths, good idea?

Mods, if this post needs to go in a different
section, please move it, sorry in advance.

Funny post and a dry run is not a bad idea at all.

Swishing - don't do it. Makes it too easy to bang your blade or edge. Just rinse under running eater or wipe blade on a washcloth or sponge.

On your razor, try to keep the pivot dry. It will get some incidental water in it, but try to avoid if possible.

Be careful rinsing the razor, I chipped my favorite blade on the faucet.
Good beard prep. Good lather. Slow and gentle and watch your angle.

You're lucky. My bathroom neatness is more like a 2 year old.

For rinsing keep a sponge there and just gently wipe.
I have to lay towels around so SWMBO doesn't have a fit.

Good thinking with the dry run.

Smart idea, doing a dry run. I did the same with a very dull razor-shaped knife.

As to whether to swirl the blade or not, I don't; my sink is small and the first time I tried it I whacked the spine lightly on the side of the sink. Warning taken. I rinse under running water with great success. Others won't and have their own preferred method. You'll have to try it a couple different ways and decide for yourself what works best for you.

In my own experience, if the lather won't rinse easily from the blade, it's a tad too dry for my tastes. You could try using a touch more water when making the lather.

Welcome to the Dark Side.

Welcome! I would avoid any swishing with a straight razor. As the others have said, it really opens it up to damage. Just take your time and watch plenty of videos.

Awesome dry run...great read. I never did a full run with a butter knife but I did use it to practice grips and placing the blade.

IMHO, Before your actual first shave with a straight I'd practice with that brush and soap until you can get a good slick lather every time. I'm about eighty shaves into my second attempt with straights but the first time I only lasted about three weeks. The difference has been in finding that perfect lathering combo for me. (If you're curious it's face lathering with a Simpson's Duke 3 Best with Either T&H 1805 or MWF.) It really has made all the difference in the world no matter what straight I'm using.

Also, to rid myself of soap just a few short whisks in the sink and gtg. Also, I've been gravitating to straights that are massive and hold a shovelful of lather to cut down the odds that I'll do damage.

In any event please keep writing.

Thanks for the tips, gents!

KZero, I'll add more water to my
lather next time, good tip.

think I'll attempt the real thing today.
maybe start my own journal thread.

cheers!

Sploosh said:

Thanks for the tips, gents!

KZero, I'll add more water to my
lather next time, good tip.

think I'll attempt the real thing today.
maybe start my own journal thread.

cheers!

Click to expand...

Never a better time to start! Take your time, and remember "no pressure."
Good luck!

and only about a spine's width of angle.