Nessmuck, Do you indulge in that ritual after you complete a bubble bath or isn't that necessary?

I could see that coming....lol

Gillette did more to revive the straight razor than any sense of nostalgia could have. Sticker shock for those refills. A buddy of mine got me into straight razors twenty years ago. Nice smooth strokes. You cut yourself when you overthink it.

What's yah using for creams / soaps.....Right now I got Castle Forbes lavender ...and a new soap from Wholly Kaw...Awesome stuff !

You've seen the cakes of Williams Mug Shaving Soap? That's typically what I use but no one carries it around here. I just lather up with plain old Ivory soap. Works great and it doesn't dry my skin.

Yup....I have to order all my stuff...nobody carries anything ...except can goo.

I like Speick.

I use the Proraso as an after shave balm....no alcohol...so no burn.

A scuttle to produce a warm suds !

I just ordered some Proraso Sandalwood cream. My straight needs a touch-up, it's tugging too much. Been using a shavette till I can have my razor sharpened.

Where yah sending the razor ( for honing )?

Not sure yet. It's a Dovo 6/8 full hollow.

What's your favorite brush badger or boar? Just ordered a premium badger knot to go in a custom walnut handle I will turn ,trying to get into straight razor shaving but for now just using a de razor . Any tips for using a straight for the first time?.

I have both and use both.

Badger comes in several grades with silvertip being the highest grade. There is a trade-off with badger. They are very soft, which is nice on the face, but can lack the "backbone" for whipping up a good lather.

Boat bristle tends to be stiffer and consequently not as soft. But boar bristle whips up a good lather. While they tend to be stiffer they do soften with use. I have a cheap Van Der Hagen boar brush that is probably my favorite. I have used it long enough that it's nice and soft yet still whips good lather.

There is a learning curve to shaving with a straight razor. The way I started was to use my dominant hand ( my right hand ) to shave my right cheek. I would do that and then finish the rest of my face with a regular razor. I kept that up until I was comfortable holding and using the razor. After that I kept working up to more parts of my face and neck until I had it down pat.

Use your free hand to keep your skin taut and don't let it bunch up in front of the razor's edge.

Mike

Using a straight takes a little more effort. But it gives better results and you aren't continuously paying outrageous prices for blades.

Mike

I have too many moles to feel comfortable with a straight razor on my jaw.

Lock the bathroom door.

Straight razors are not hard to use. You can learn to from you tube easy. Shaving under the nose and the chin I have gotten a few nicks, they are cool to use and you never have to buy cartridges! I send mine out to get sharpened though. That’s a pricey set of stones.

I am also a big fan of the Proraso pre shave. The Casle Forbes is good stuff too Ness.

Nice razors.

Start just shaving the cheeks and wear a goatee. As you get the hang of switch to just a mustache. If you feel you must be clean shaven, lose the mustache once your confident.

I would leave the mustache, I've been wearing one for 20 years now. Currently rocking a bushy handlebar.