Hi guys, I'm brand new to straight razor shaving, but excited as all get out! I have been researching and watching videos on you tube, and reading as much as I can. So I took the plundge with a razor from The Invisible Edge uk. I went with a Wapineca with Violetwood Scales. I believe this was a good choice for my beard, and the classic look I wanted. I hope to eventually get it etched with my intials on it, but right now its on its way across the Atlantic. I bought from Classic Shaving.com an extra wide American made strop approx 26 long X 3 wide. I didn't want to have to do the X pattern, and I read that some people get a better edge with a straight movement. Anyways, I'm letting my beard grow ( which is hard for me considering I love shaving so much with my Merkur Futur) so that when the razo comes it will feel nice just to go WTG. lol Ok guys thanks for stoping by and wish me luck. Cheers D
Good luck, man! You're embarking on a process that has been all but abandoned by modern man. One of the proud and few. Enjoy!
ZenMaster ZenMaster : That's so true, and awesome as well as friggin bad ass if you ask me! I can't wait to join the club and start really shaving, thanks for the support man! SeanPR, true! Congrads on your purchase too, what kind did you snag? Cheers D
Thanks Jninch67, Yea, I don't expect to be good at shaving with this method for some time, I figure it's going to take months to feel comfortable with it, but I don't mind it's taken me about a full year to really feel like a pro with a safety razor. I can shave on full open with my merkur futur or on 1.5 depending on my needs. I made quite a few nicks and a few days of razor burn before getting as comfortable as I am now. SeanPR, Awesome man! I almost bought that one myself, nice blade. I think the Wapi is 11/16th's and it has African Violetwood scales. I just wanted a nice wood handled blade, something non plasticky feeling, if ya know what I mean. I wanted it to have that old world look, like hand made. I'm going to eventually build or buy a matching Violetwood shaving brush. I've been reading that first pass should always be just WTG, I feel the scariest part for me will be putting the blade to my skin, once it's there I'm sure I can feel out which angle is perfect for me (30* or some variant) cheers D
Congrats on your progress, D. Yeah, you definitely want to go WTG first, and maybe even make a gentle second WTG pass if you feel comtortable with that, then go for XTG.
Blair Cheers indeed man! Great advice, dood, I was just looking at your collection, very impressive! Question: Do all your straights get used? Or some just for show/decoration? I only have 3 brushes, and they all serve a purpose, I don't think I can be like those guys who have 25+ brushes. I mean its awesome to have the variety, but I'd just never get around to using them. I'm a simple man I guess when it comes to these things. I know that with straights sometimes like in the olden days it was imperative to have a full week set of straights, so that you can rotate them and always have a sharpy for the morning. I think I could get into collecting straights as opposed to brushes, only because I can see how different scales, blades, and honing techniques can be addicting. Plus it's a knife! Woot Woot! My family thinks I'm nuts with this stuff, my wife doesn't mind but my immediate family thinks I've lost my mind except for my brother, he's shaving still with some stupid cartridge and realizes how crappy they are. I just haven't had the cash to buy him a razor, I think once I learn straight shaving well enough, I will pass on my Merkur De to him. Do you sitll use your DE's? Or can you get by with just straights for a normal work week, I'm assuming you work and aren't retired, my apologies if I'm wrong. Cheers D
You can, though it may mean getting up a little earlier. At the start the shaves are not necessarily going to be that good either, there is a learning curve that most of us have to climb. Don't feel like you're cheating if you combine your DE with the straight for a while. I know it sounds a bit 'New Age" wishy washy but, the journey's part of the fun. On the other hand, maybe you'll be one of the lucky few who take to it like a duck to water. Good luck and good shaving.
