Another SR dilettante.

[Corsair66]

Well, after five months spent honing my wet shaving skills on the DE side of the fence, I've decided that I'm ready to try a straight. By "ready" I mean to say that I don't think I'll do myself a serious injury in the attempt. Consequently, I've ordered a GD 208 from Buca, which should arrive next week.

I've got my prep, lather, and beard mapping down pat at this point. My DE technique is fine, though I don't know how much of the touch will carry over to the straight. I'm planning to stick to a couple of WTG passes for the first attempt.

Anything else I should have in mind at this point?

Ken

 

[77TransAm]

You'll need a strop if you don't already have one. And be very careful not to roll the edge while stropping, take your time so you don't slice into the leather. The angle you should already have figured out for the most part from DE shaving, it's fairly similar. Just go slow, short strokes, and pay attention to where the entire blade is on your face. I've had the heel of the blade nick my neck while I was paying closer attention to the toe, and I've had the toe nick my ear once.

Long story short, go slow and absolutely ZERO pressure. Even with the blade not in motion resting against your face, if you apply a little bit of pressure you're going to cut right into your face. It's not fun!

 

[Corsair66]

Good advice, thanks.

I haven't got a strop; I assumed that Buca's shave-ready razor wouldn't need it immediately. Will I be OK for the first shave without one? I was hoping to see how I enjoyed it before diving into the acquisition pool...

Ken

 

[buca3152]

Hello, your razor will arrive stropped so not necessary for the first shave. I always strop after my shave. I do 5 laps on felt after drying gently on a towel and shaking the water out(carefully) then I do my 50-60 on leather. I find that this assures the edge is dry and the oil from the strop will coat the blade which prevents oxidation.

 

[Corsair66]

Sounds good. If I haven't cut my throat after the first effort, I'll order a strop and do as you suggest going forward. Can't wait to give it a try!

Ken

 

[77TransAm]

Hello, your razor will arrive stropped so not necessary for the first shave. I always strop after my shave. I do 5 laps on felt after drying gently on a towel and shaking the water out(carefully) then I do my 50-60 on leather. I find that this assures the edge is dry and the oil from the strop will coat the blade which prevents oxidation.

+1. You will definitely need a strop if you plan on using it more than once I'm sure you could get away with not having one for a few shaves, but that would be comparable to using a DE blade long after it's stopped providing smooth effortless shaves.

 

[Corsair66]

I expect I'll know right off whether or not straight shaving is a good fit for me. If it is, I won't hesitate to gear up as necessary.

Ken

 

[Chaloney]

Don't let your first shave be the deciding one. The learning curve is very different from de shaving. It takes a few months of shaves to become competent with a straight. Don't be bothered if you new to finish the shave with your de for the first few weeks. I'd just start with wtg on the cheeks and maybe the neck until that is fairly comfortable. In addition to pressure you need to be very mindful of the angle of the blade. A big difference from de shaving though is the need to stretch your skin. The skin needs to be fairly taut or you will not cut the hairs and it will be much easier to cut yourself. The de does most of this for you with the safety bar/comb.

No need to buy a strop right away. Use newspaper. Get a full sheet of newspaper and fold it into a long, 3 inch wide strip. Pass one end over a towel bar, hold the two ends together, pull tight and strop. This is actually recommended as a first strop as, no matter how careful you are, you will cut your first strop. Newspaper is fully expendable and easily replaceable.

Good luck. You will find lots of helpful advice here and by reading the shave journals and questions in the shave clinic sub section

 

[Soldierdan]

Don't let your first shave be the deciding one. The learning curve is very different from de shaving. It takes a few months of shaves to become competent with a straight. Don't be bothered if you new to finish the shave with your de for the first few weeks. I'd just start with wtg on the cheeks and maybe the neck until that is fairly comfortable. In addition to pressure you need to be very mindful of the angle of the blade. A big difference from de shaving though is the need to stretch your skin. The skin needs to be fairly taut or you will not cut the hairs and it will be much easier to cut yourself. The de does most of this for you with the safety bar/comb.

No need to buy a strop right away. Use newspaper. Get a full sheet of newspaper and fold it into a long, 3 inch wide strip. Pass one end over a towel bar, hold the two ends together, pull tight and strop. This is actually recommended as a first strop as, no matter how careful you are, you will cut your first strop. Newspaper is fully expendable and easily replaceable.

Good luck. You will find lots of helpful advice here and by reading the shave journals and questions in the shave clinic sub section

+1