:QUOTE [quotetype:personal] The straight razor rewards patience. The first two weeks are humbling. The first year makes every other shave feel like a compromise. :INFO What Makes Straight Razor Shaving Different A straight razor cuts at skin level with a single blade, no clogging, no pressure needed. It requires a steep learning curve: correct blade angle (20 to 30 degrees), light touch, correct skin preparation, and a sharp edge. A shave-ready blade from a trusted source (Italian Barber, Maggard Razors) is the starting point — a dull blade causes nicks regardless of technique. :COUNTER.half 20 to 30 Degrees | :COUNTER.half 3 to 6 Weeks :PATH Strop the Razor Before Every Shave 20 to 30 laps on a hanging strop realigns the edge before use. | :INFO Strop the Razor Before Every Shave A hanging strop (leather) keeps the edge aligned and hair-shaving sharp. Lay the blade spine against the strop with the edge facing away from you. Draw the blade spine-first up the strop, then roll over the spine and repeat in the opposite direction. Apply no downward pressure — the weight of the razor is all that is needed. 20 to 30 laps before each shave. :PATH Prepare the Skin with Warm Water and Lather Hot towel or hot shower opens pores, then apply thick lather with a brush. | :INFO Prepare the Skin with Warm Water and Lather Straight razor shaving requires thorough skin preparation. A hot towel (wrung out, placed on the face for 1 to 2 minutes) or a hot shower directly before softens beard hair and opens pores. Apply thick shaving lather with a badger or synthetic brush using circular, then painting motions to lift hairs. Lather must be very wet and slippery for a straight razor — drier lather that works for a safety razor is insufficient. :PATH Shave With the Grain First First pass always with the grain at 20 to 30 degrees — no pressure. | :INFO Shave With the Grain First Hold the blade at 20 to 30 degrees to the skin. Use gravity, not pressure. Pull the skin taut with the non-razor hand — taught skin is the most important safety technique. Shave with the grain on the first pass. Rinse and relather for a second against-grain pass only after the first pass is consistent and nick-free. :CHECKLIST Starting Kit [ ] Shave-ready straight razor from a trusted seller — 5/8 inch blade is standard [ ] Hanging leather strop (2 inch width) [ ] High-quality shaving soap (Mitchell's Wool Fat, Stirling) [ ] Badger or synthetic shaving brush [ ] Pre-shave oil (optional but reduces nicks for beginners) [ ] Styptic pencil or alum block for nick treatment :NOTE A Dull Blade Causes More Nicks Than a Sharp One New straight razors from most sources are not shave-ready — they require professional honing before use. Order a blade that is advertised as "shave-ready" or have it honed by a professional before your first shave. A blade that pulls rather than gliding is not ready — honing before purchase solves the most common beginner problem. :QUOTE [quotetype:personal] The razor will tell you when the angle is wrong. Listen to it. :LINK https://www.badgerandblade.com/forum/index.php?threads/wiki-straight-razor-shaving-guide.584/ Badger and Blade — Straight Razor Shaving Wiki and Guide