new member intro

[Memk]

hi there everyone ,
im new to the forum , just wanted to say hi and tell my tale of how i found myself here .
I have been straight shaving for about a year now , started with two old razors that i got as gifts .
had more than a few awkward / scary face burning shaves before i got them really smooth sharp .
and a few more shaves befor i actually did a complete shave that i was happy with ! now they just seem to be getting better !

from canada recently moved to Turkey , people straight razor crazy here ! also lots of custom cologne and handmade soaps etc.
theres a store down the street from me that has been blending smells for the last 60 years ! made while you wait .

anyways thought id though up a pic of my humble kit so far , i'm ashamed to say i don't own a real strop yet . i have been making do with my leather on wood blocks . im sure a real strop would make things much faster and easyer , next on my shopping list i promise !

quick rundown
razors (top down )- john wm ragg sheffield , "persian" (with farsi makers mark ), solingen germany
hones -reliance u.s.a , franz swaty austria
brush - omega italy hog hair
bottles - black pepper (my fav) , tobacco , love flower , chamomile
soaps - arko , derby
and my less than desirable home made strops red and green compounds .

hope you like !!!
any info on my razors or general advice would be welcome !

i look forward to learning from you lot .

[SS502MC]

Welcome and that is a very nice setup.

[sheajohnw]

Nice kit. I also use homemade strops as well as purchased strops. What ever works well is good.

[Phrank]

Very cool and efficient setup, nice razors, soaps and aftershaves and a good routine setup for maintenance.

Excellent!

Welcome to the forum!

[Razorfeld]

Good set up. I prefer a bench strop but have limited space for one. My solution is to take a hanging strop (now have several), cut a piece of particle board, 1/4' thick, place it between the leather and the linen and secure top and bottom with Velcro straps. A hanging bench strop. I like the bench strop approach because I'm generally heavy handed and if there is give in the strop I tend to press harder (and possibly roll the edge.) My hanging bench strops have helped me gain muscle memory as far as pressure goes and I now have a feather light touch.

[Raol]

Welcome to SRP Bro'
Your gear looks good to me.
Turkey,.......You are now in ARKO country.
Enjoy

[Walterbowens]

Hi, and welcome to SRP.

[Memk]

Thanks ,
Yeah ARKO products seem to be the main shaving soap and lotion stuff here.
Gonna try there after shave moisturizer cream today .
Turks are really in to there wet shaves , every street has a barber .
Apparently they mostly use disposeable straights .

[eddy79]

Hi and welcome. Sounds like everything you need is at your fingertips over there. Good luck with your experimenting