Thread: New to the game. Looking for a little advice.

First off let me say sorry if there is somewhere else I should be posting this. New to forums too. Anyways. I have a Parker SR1(?) it's a replaceable blade style straight razor. Col. Ichabod Conk Almond soap and also Almond Balm. I bought a Tweezerman Badger hair brush(that smells horrible) and a styptic pen. That's what I'm working with. I've attempted one pass. I didn't cut myself but then again I didnt really shave anything either. First off I don't know if I just suck at making lather or if my soap is crap. It vanished pretty quick and I had to keep lathering up. No biggie. What I had the biggest problem with was A) the angle and pressure of the blade and B) how to comfortably hold the blade and stretching my skin. I also had a problem with the side of the blade sticking to my face. I figure that was because of my crappy lather job so again no biggie.

Welcome to SRP take a look at the Wiki there is a load of information in there for you. Also you just need to work on your lather but you will get it one day, and the blade angles, pressure, stretching and how to hold the razor comes with practice. Read up on the Wiki, through the forums, and watch as many videos as you can . Good luck with everything man.

+1.
wmac pretty much covered it in his reply!

You will need to focus on your angles.
Now, I started out on a Feather disposable myself, so I have no direct knowledge on your Parker, but from the sound of it, your angle might be a little low.
Stretching is really important too, that helps raise the beard and will make the razor get to it easier.
Since you are using a disposable blade, you don't have to worry about stropping and sharpness(If you have inserted a new quality blade that is).
Try to keep a spine-width or two when going with the grain.

Whatever you do, do not increase pressure to make it cut. That is never the answer, it only creates trouble for your skin
Your brush and soap should work fine. Do try to make lather a few times without actually applying it to your skin. That gives two benefits; your brush will break in and loose the odor, and you will get better at it each time without getting lousy shaves.

Remember also to soak your brush for 5 minutes before you start building your lather. And while you do that, leave some hot water on top of the soap too. That softens it and gives the brush better working conditions for absorbing product to lather.
Use some of the water from atop the soap to actually build your lather.

Good luck.
Try it out and keep us posted on your progress

++1 on Birnando's advice.