Jim, my loaner set is on its way back to me now. 100% serious offer, I will loan you two razors and a strop, so you can try it out to see if you like it. Anyone who can make brushes like you do can train those hands to pilot a straight. I have no doubt getting good shaves with a straight is within your skill set. Maintenance is way easier than you are thinking. Please let me know if you are interested.
My strop was waiting for me when I got home from work today. As I couldn't let a new toy go un-played with, I grabbed my handy dandy Swiss army knife and proceeded to strop the heck out of it! I should have a pretty good handle on the stropping by the time I get a razor next month.
Unless that blade locks in place, I might rethink stropping a pocket knife. It could flip shut and bite you.
Didn't have any issues, but I think I'll find something else to practice with. I didn't even think about it closing up on me...
Try a butter knife, feels more like a razor to build that muscle memory, but less likely to nick your strop.
Our butter knives have a serrated edge, I didn't think that would be good for the strop. I'll find something.
The mailman came, and I officially own a straight razor now! I have dinner in the oven on auto-pilot, kids are content watching a movie. I'm going to take it for a test drive! If things go well, I'll update here shortly. Otherwise, it was wonderful getting to know you all...
Well, I survived the first shave! I did nick myself on the very first stroke, but it was minor, and closed up before I lathered for my second pass. I used the straight for a WTG pass on both cheeks, and the sides of my upper neck. It was a bit daunting after spilling blood, but I learned my first lesson: a straight will punish the timid! I paused, and then I bled. After that, I just went with it, and could have stopped after the WTG pass with a good, passable shave. Looking forward to round 2!
I'm a little disappointed, I've been super busy since my first straight shave, and haven't been able to play with my new toy...
