I need your insight, to move into straight razors

[mooey]

Hey,

For the past few years I have been shaving with a DE safety razor, and now I would like to move forward into a straight razor, as I can see continual benefits from progressing in this direction. However I have no one to show me how to successfully learn this method. I have a Straight razor, but no strop.

I would like to know if you have any suggestions of where would be the best place to learn: eg. any recommend you tube videos, or articles to read??
how nessicary it is to have a strop? and if I should order one now? or any other things I might need?
also the low down on the difficulty? (i picked up de razors super fast)

Just remember I'm a blank canvas and there is a lot I don't know about straight razors, so dont feel like you have to skip or hold back any info.

Thanks, any help is appreciated!

 

[gash]

Good for you for giving it a shot! Using a straight is, by far, the most fun I've had in shaving.

The most important aspect of a straight razor is its sharpness. It has to be shave-ready. That's more than just rubbed on a rock for a few minutes. If you're even a tiny bit unsure of the sharpness, send the razor out to be honed. New razors often are not even close to sharp enough, so if that's what you have, be sure to send it out. Now, on to your questions.

First, have you read the stickies? They're here: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/190873-****Straight-Razor-Shave-Clinic-Stickies****

Second, yes, you will need a strop, preferably leather or leather-like. It's possible to strop with anything from newspaper to denim, but in my experience, leather makes the biggest difference in the edge. You can spend as much as you'd like, but it won't necessarily improve the razor's edge. Some expensive ones may really make a difference, but don't use an expensive one while you're learning to strop. You'll probably cut your first strop a lot. This is the strop kit many of us bought first: http://whippeddog.com/products/view/poor-man-strop-kit It has everything you need in order to keep a razor sharp for quite a while.

Third, I think that learning to use a straight is about as difficult as learning to ride a bike. Initially, it can be pretty daunting. Yes, you'll get some nicks and cuts. They probably won't be anything too severe, though. It takes about ten to twenty shaves to start feeling comfortable with the technique.

Fourth, YouTube can be very helpful. To get you started, here's a video on stropping:

Fifth, ask more questions.

 

[mooey]

Nice display pic man! Wow thanks heaps for the links and the video, this will help me out a lot.
I will have to order a strop. Then I can start!

 

[buca3152]

Anybody can straight shave. I used a shavette for a while, then de for 1 year. I started straights only since October. It took 3 months til I could get bbs every time. I almost packed it in but Im glad I continued. There will be good days and some rough ones. 100 years ago there was no other way. I have the best irritation free shaves I every had now and I been shaving since im 17(Im 47 now). BBS takes on a new meaning as each shave lasts longer than a de IMO. Good luck and go for it!