Another newbie checking in

**quixand** · 07-05-2009, 09:05 PM

Hi,

I just recently decided to make the switch to straight razors, and am now on the look out for equipment and any good advice and input there is to have.

I've read through most of the wiki and many threads about pre, post, and shaving techniques, and I can't wait to get started.

**Smoothy** · 07-05-2009, 09:16 PM

Hi & Welcome! First recommendation: If you have no equipment yet, I suggest you check out the Buy / Sell / Trade section here on B&B and find yourself a suitable razor. Better yet two razors. No need to have more then that to start off (I know many will disagree on that one..

) There are meny good ones at reasonable prices. Decide on a soap / cream as well as on a post-shave treatment for your skin.
Second recommendation: no need to right away start buying new stuff galore (read: Razors & Brushes and more soap than you can use in 1 year). There is plenty of time for that later. Happened to me the first 2 months into straight shaving and I am having a wondeful time explaining to my wife why I need more then the original 2 razors I started out with...

But, mostly, be patient and enjoy the ritual. It's worth it!

**fatpanda** · 07-05-2009, 09:17 PM

Ohhhh MAN! Way to go with the straight razor!

Check out the B/S/T (Buy/Sell/Trade) forum. Ambrose fixes up old vintage blades, makes them shave ready for a really nice price. He usually posts a few razors every few weeks on the B/S/T forum!

Plus look at the reviews for strops and brushes. Also there are tons of reviews about shaving soaps.

Have you decided to use soaps or creams yet?

**quixand** · 07-05-2009, 09:57 PM

Thanks for the welcome

Most probably I'll be mixing my own soap right from the get-go, so soap rather than creams, and no need to worry about the quantities... I'm sure I'll end up with a whole bunch of different types in the end anyway, but that's just part of the process of learning to make them just right for my skin.

For a blade, I'm probably gonna go with an entry level priced one, and a real cheap one for honing practice (only after I decide that straight razors are the thing for me, of course). When I've got my technique and blade-care and maintenance all down, and feel that there's even a need for something higher end, then I'll start looking into that. Even then there's a good chance I would opt for a bargain price higher end oldy to restore myself, rather than buy anything fancy. It's more fun that way, and from a practical standpoint, all I really need is a sharp blade with a good balance.

What does worry me is the left side of my face, or rather the use of my left hand to shave that side. I am extremely right handed in the fine-tuned motor control department, I even use my right hand to clean my left ear!
How did you guys go about getting your weaker hand's accuracy up to a shaving-worthy level?

**Venom** · 07-05-2009, 09:58 PM

Welcome!

**fatpanda** · 07-05-2009, 10:19 PM

I have been wondering about the left hand also. I have heard that people start to brush their teeth with their left hand, or use the badger brush and lather their face with their left hand. I tried shaving the left side of my face with my left hand while using my DE.

I feel more comfortable with my left hand because I am a lefty hockey player. Since your are from BC do you or your dad or sibling have a lefty hockey stick? Try to do some lefty stick handling... that is of course if you play hockey.

I think you have a very logical approach to make straight shaving enjoyable and for you to take some pride in it. I too went with getting old vintage blades instead of new ones. I cleaned them up and I can just predict that I will feel great when I get to use those blades someday. Also thumbs-up on starting out slow and not going and getting everything all at once! I prefer this way as well!

**quixand** · 07-05-2009, 10:43 PM

Starting slow is just me hating to spend a lot of money on things I won't be using. I've always been utilitarian in the most part. Also I'm a student and since I'm paying myself through everything, being budget conscious is another issue.

Hockey... heh. I'm not originally Canadian, I am a left hockey stick player, but that's because I usually hold the stick with just my right hand (I'm a usually a defense player), so whenever I'd have to grab it two handed for a strong shot, it would have to be a left handed stick.

In my more boring classes through the years I'd practice writing with my left hand, but eventually I just it up in favour of holding two (and sometimes three) pens in my right hand, chopsticks style for multi-colour uses when my notes are packed too densley with math, physics and text (I'm a physics/math dual major, so they're always packed).

I guess I'll start brushing with my left hand for the time being, as well as some left handed writing.

I agree about the approach thing. EVERYTHING is better if you can do it yourself. I've never enjoyed anything as much as I enjoyed the things that I produced myself, even if at first they weren't on par with the highest quality I could buy. Since shaving is such a zen-compatible art, being able to create, modify and fix your own tools is simply a natural extension to the whole experience.

**fatpanda** · 07-05-2009, 10:50 PM

Sounds like you have got it down! I will be interested in seeing how your journey goes!

**rm71** · 07-05-2009, 11:20 PM

Welcome to B&B.

**Shane** · 07-05-2009, 11:22 PM

Welcome to the fold.

**NickCutlip** · 07-06-2009, 07:53 AM

Welcome to B&B !!

**quixand** · 07-10-2009, 03:17 PM

First shave finally done. Took about an hour. I was extra careful, so it's probably just slightly less close than what I'd get with a gillette fusion, but close shave is only a secondary reason for my switch to straight (primary is ingrown hairs, and the fact it's just kind of fun

). The shave seems uniform, so I'm sure once I my technique gets better it will just get closer and closer. No cuts, no nicks, my face is still whole, and now I just have to wait and see how my skin reacts.

hmph. Now I have to wait at least 4 days til I even have enough hair to shave again

Magic hair growth spray?

**scoopster** · 07-10-2009, 06:49 PM

Welcome to B&B! Congrats on your first traditional shave.

**Dustinl** · 07-10-2009, 07:08 PM

quixand,

Welcome to Badger & Blade!!! Enjoy!

DL

**Luc** · 07-10-2009, 07:14 PM

Welcome to B&B!

**FLTiger** · 07-10-2009, 09:00 PM

Welcome to Badger and Blade! I'm not a straight razor user, but if there's one thing I've learned from the various injury threads, it is this--never get in a hurry with a straight.

**quixand** · 07-18-2009, 02:29 PM

3 shaves in so far.

Tried a half hollow Ern last night. I love it. Did all 3 passes, though I'm still having trouble with the XTG and ATG around the chin and just under the lower lip.
By the time I make it to the third pass, the razor feels almost too dull to use. Would that be a technique issue, or is my hair too strong for a single razor or something (meaning I'll need to look into other soaps, or use more than one razor per shave)?

I think it's safe to say I'm hooked.

**AECUSN** · 07-18-2009, 07:52 PM

Welcome, I have to say you are braver than I. I am afraid I would cut my head off with a straight. I would like to find a barber that uses a straight though, and have it done sometime!