Late Starter

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kenny_t

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Wednesday February 22, 2017
Hi guys,

I'm just starting out on my straight razor journey. It's slightly late (I'm the wrong side of 50) but I'm looking forward to the challenge! I've done a bit of research before buying my first razor which arrives on Friday and settled on a Gold Dollar from a guy on ebay. This guy seems to love what he does and has over 200 5 star reviews with no negatives reviews at all.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/112307771601

Any tips for a complete novice would be appreciated.
 
Bore da! Good morning!

From one complete novice to another, you can't go wrong with one of Billyji1's Gold Dollar's as a starting razor. I did exactly the same and it saw me through my pioneering steps - I've just bought my 4th straight razor in as many months! In all honesty, I didn't actually need to as the Gold Dollar is more than adequate for getting the hang of straight razor shaving! That being said, we can't guarantee that you won't soon suffer from RAD (razor acquisition disorder)...

The more knowledgeable folk will be able to point you in the right direction of intricacies, but my tips are use as little pressure as is possible (remind yourself that barbers train using a straight razor on a balloon), practice with your cheeks only first, with the grain of hair growth and try and map your beard (direction of hair growth) for down the line when you're more comfortable tending towards a full shave. Grab yourself a strop while you're at it as it's a necessity for straight razor shaving and look at maintenance of straight razors! There's plenty of information to be had, including Lynn Abrams' videos on youtube, which I personally found particularly helpful.

Oh, and not that you will but... if you drop your razor don't try and catch it! :)

Pob lwc - Good luck, and keep us posted on your journey! :D
 
kenny_t said:
Hi guys,

I'm just starting out on my straight razor journey. It's slightly late (I'm the wrong side of 50) but I'm looking forward to the challenge! I've done a bit of research before buying my first razor which arrives on Friday and settled on a Gold Dollar from a guy on ebay. This guy seems to love what he does and has over 200 5 star reviews with no negatives reviews at all.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/112307771601

Any tips for a complete novice would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Hello and welcome to TSR Kenny, it's never too late to learn a new skill and I'm sure you will do it, I only use a straight on the odd occasion and am still on the learning curve myself so don't feel as able as some of the other chaps on here to offer you advice but you can be sure you will get some great advice on this fourm. Try posting the question in the straight razor section here. Paul.
 
Benz3ne said:
Bore da! Good morning!

From one complete novice to another, you can't go wrong with one of Billyji1's Gold Dollar's as a starting razor. I did exactly the same and it saw me through my pioneering steps - I've just bought my 4th straight razor in as many months! In all honesty, I didn't actually need to as the Gold Dollar is more than adequate for getting the hang of straight razor shaving! That being said, we can't guarantee that you won't soon suffer from RAD (razor acquisition disorder)...

The more knowledgeable folk will be able to point you in the right direction of intricacies, but my tips are use as little pressure as is possible (remind yourself that barbers train using a straight razor on a balloon), practice with your cheeks only first, with the grain of hair growth and try and map your beard (direction of hair growth) for down the line when you're more comfortable tending towards a full shave. Grab yourself a strop while you're at it as it's a necessity for straight razor shaving and look at maintenance of straight razors! There's plenty of information to be had, including Lynn Abrams' videos on youtube, which I personally found particularly helpful.

Oh, and not that you will but... if you drop your razor don't try and catch it! :)

Pob lwc - Good luck, and keep us posted on your journey! :D
Click to expand...

Great advice on NOT catching the razor lol. It's the sort of thing I'd do.............:eek:
 
Blademonkey said:
Hello and welcome to TSR Kenny, it's never too late to learn a new skill and I'm sure you will do it, I only use a straight on the odd occasion and am still on the learning curve myself so don't feel as able as some of the other chaps on here to offer you advice but you can be sure you will get some great advice on this fourm. Try posting the question in the straight razor section here. Paul.
Click to expand...

I'll have a gander at it txs. ;)
 
kenny_t said:
Hi guys,

I'm just starting out on my straight razor journey. It's slightly late (I'm the wrong side of 50) but I'm looking forward to the challenge! I've done a bit of research before buying my first razor which arrives on Friday and settled on a Gold Dollar from a guy on ebay. This guy seems to love what he does and has over 200 5 star reviews with no negatives reviews at all.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/112307771601

Any tips for a complete novice would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Hi Kenny,

I recall my first straight shave about 20 years ago. My top tips would be:
* focus on good face prep
* take it easy - never rush
* keep a DE handy, just to clean up those tricky areas until you get the hang of it - no shame in that!
* only do one pass to start with; and
* get used to using both hands

I'm assuming that your skilled at making a great lather and are an experienced DE shaver. This is going to make the learning curve easier for you.

All the best!
 
Daily Shaver said:
Hi Kenny,

I recall my first straight shave about 20 years ago. My top tips would be:
* focus on good face prep
* take it easy - never rush
* keep a DE handy, just to clean up those tricky areas until you get the hang of it - no shame in that!
* only do one pass to start with; and
* get used to using both hands

I'm assuming that your skilled at making a great lather and are an experienced DE shaver. This is going to make the learning curve easier for you.

All the best!
Click to expand...

Txs, yeah I'm fine with DE shaving but always wanted to get a straight in my hand. Not recieved it yet but it should definitely be here by tomorrow along with a few other bits and pieces. May well have my first "mail call" pic! Not shaved for a couple of days so I'm looking forward to getting started. Been watching all sorts of youtube instructional vids.

Feels like I'm getting ready for a first date! :eek:
 
kenny_t said:
Txs, yeah I'm fine with DE shaving but always wanted to get a straight in my hand. Not recieved it yet but it should definitely be here by tomorrow along with a few other bits and pieces. May well have my first "mail call" pic! Not shaved for a couple of days so I'm looking forward to getting started. Been watching all sorts of youtube instructional vids.

Feels like I'm getting ready for a first date! :eek:
Click to expand...
LOL!!

Enjoy it.
 
kenny_t said:
Txs, yeah I'm fine with DE shaving but always wanted to get a straight in my hand. Not recieved it yet but it should definitely be here by tomorrow along with a few other bits and pieces. May well have my first "mail call" pic! Not shaved for a couple of days so I'm looking forward to getting started. Been watching all sorts of youtube instructional vids.

Feels like I'm getting ready for a first date! :eek:
Click to expand...
There is no written rule that you have to use both hands.Eventually you will develop your own unique way using both hands or not.:) Ready for a first date ,haha, I like that.Know what you mean.
 
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