Ordered my first straight shaving kit

[Gryphes]

Ok this is all you guys fault, if you guys wouldn't have posted pictures and screamed all over the place how amazing these things are i would have never felt the urge of having a straight

Now i'm down 105 euro's, and expecting this in the mail

1. "NOS" C.V Heljestrand "Rex" 5/8 Hollowground (no clue which No. i think "Rex" is a No. 8 but i'm not sure) Shave ready.
2. Dovo hangingstrop.
3. Yellow paste

Heres a picture from the seller:

My mom just pronounced me crazy and is having me commited in a mental ward.

 

[navalha]

I waiting for my straight razor too. I've been using an electric for 3 years, and before that used the gillette disposibles.

 

[KeNd0]

Congrats guys. I've been using straights exclusively for over a month now and I am definitely hooked.

 

[mdunn]

looks like youre off to a good start, mate!

 

[Ru4scuba?]

My mom just pronounced me crazy and is having me commited in a mental ward.

Thats funny stuff!

Seriously tho...looks like a good setup. Be sure to read all the tutorials (if you haven't already), good luck and post results!

Best of luck!

 

[Gustav]

Contemplating shaving with a Swedish vintage razor! I would say you are off to a flying start.

 

[Luc]

Excellent! Don't forget, the first shave won't be best, do not have high expectations and take it slow!

 

[Woodash]

My mom just pronounced me crazy and is having me commited in a mental ward.

Welcome!

 

[peacefrog33756]

Nice start! Just be patient and don't expect wonders for the first handful of shaves.

 

[bradyarz]

i think you're on to something there... peaceably agree to go to the mental ward. the next day tell them you're cured and walk out with their collection of gillette psychos. sell them for a premium on ebay and become a millionaire!

 

[Gryphes]

Was about to buy a cheap dovo when i saw the word vintage in the corner of my eye clicked on it and found a page with great looking vintage straights for really good prices.

Ordered this kit from Paul Kox over at The Dutch Shaving Shop.
Man Paul knows how to treat his customers, sent him a message around 11:30 PM Saturday evening asking if the straights he sells are shave ready. Got a message two hours later that he hones all straight razors before he ships them.

So i put in an order through his site and got a message a few hours later that the razor, strop and paste would be shipped to me on Tuesday.

His site might not be the prettiest out there but he sure as hell has a huge catalog and more import hes really friendly.

My mother saw that i ordered something and asked my what it it was, i said come and have a look i ordered this, her first reaction was:no you didn't!?
Me:Yes i did.
Mom: Your not going shave with that?!
Me: I am.
Mom:No your not.
Me: Yes i am.
Mom: Ok just be careful.

I already knew how she was going to react, laughed my *** off when she kind of tried to forbid me to use it, even though i'm 23.

Going to start a Journal when me kit has arrived.

 

[Ru4scuba?]

Going to start a Journal when me kit has arrived.

Hell yeah! Best way to learn and have others watch/comment on your progress...congrats!

 

[Gryphes]

Ok a couple of questions,

1 - I saw some video's where people use a sponge to remove lather from the blade, is this a special sponge, or is this just a sponge to was yourself with?

2 - Also what kind of oil do i need to protect the razor from rust?

 

[Gryphes]

^ Anyone?

 

[Ronan the BARBERian]

Ok a couple of questions,

1 - I saw some video's where people use a sponge to remove lather from the blade, is this a special sponge, or is this just a sponge to was yourself with?

2 - Also what kind of oil do i need to protect the razor from rust?

Q1) The sponge is a standard sponge, the logic is that you dont want to twirl your straight around in the sink to clean it, you run the risk of banging it and breaking it.

I now prefer to wipe on the cloth that I used to do "Kyles Prep" preshave routine, I used a sponge to start with but it got super saturated with the lather. With the cloth I change daily and throw it in the wash when finished.

Q2) Unless you live in a very humid tropical area or will be leaving the blade without use for long periods of time, if you clean and dry the blade thoroughly after use, you won't need to oil the blade.

If you do any mineral oil will do.

 

[Gryphes]

Q1) The sponge is a standard sponge, the logic is that you dont want to twirl your straight around in the sink to clean it, you run the risk of banging it and breaking it.

I now prefer to wipe on the cloth that I used to do "Kyles Prep" preshave routine, I used a sponge to start with but it got super saturated with the lather. With the cloth I change daily and throw it in the wash when finished.

Q2) Unless you live in a very humid tropical area or will be leaving the blade without use for long periods of time, if you clean and dry the blade thoroughly after use, you won't need to oil the blade.

If you do any mineral oil will do.

Thank you for the quick response

 

[gull]

What I've been doing is running water over the blade to get the bulk of the lather off, then wipe it with a towel to get the fine bits off.

Recently I just strop the blade on my hand. It works pretty well I think.

I've been contemplating whether the towel is damaging the blade or not. I would think that the sponge and my hand stropping would also curve the edge a little too.

Running water over it sounds the safest way to clean the blade off but if the pressure is too high, wouldn't that also curve the edge?