Hello All!


Woo-Hoo!! Well, I F-I-N-A-L-L-Y took the plunge! I'm officially joining your ranks as a straight razor shaver! Here's how it all happened:


I'm turning half a century in a few days and my wife wanted to get me something momentous for the occasion. I've ALWAYS been fascinated with all gentlemanly-type pursuits...especially the art of straight razor shaving!


As it happens, today we went into our local tobacconist to refill my empty pipe tobacco decanter and low-and-behold, they had straight razors! I'd "forgotten" how badly I've always wanted to do this and knew IMMEDIATELY what I wanted for my birthday! Rather than impulse buy, we decided to research the Internet and learn more about this endeavor first...


EIGHT hours later (and this forum!), I am about to be the proud new owner of my first straight razor and necessary accoutrements. I am so utterly excited!


Just for the sake of sharing (in case there are others about to take the plunge AND for those who already have, to compare their first purchases with mine), here's what I ordered:


1.) Dovo 5/8" 1/2-Hollow Straight Razor= $94.00 (honed/sharpened by SRD)
2.) 3" Red Latigo Strop = $36.00
3.) Razor Oil = $5.00
4.) Badger Brush = $35.00
5.) Brush/Razor Stand = $25.00
6.) Proraso Shaving Soap = $8.00
TOTAL = $203.00


I hope we did okay with these selections. Being a complete novice, I wanted basic (but new & quality) items. I already have some of the other suggested incidentals, such as:
- a nice SS bowl
- witch hazel/aftershave
- face towels


I'm a little trepidatious about purchasing a honing stone (for obvious "I'm-a-newbie-whose-never-sharpened-a-straightrazor" reasons) so I left that for later.


After all that research (and giddy excitement) I still have two questions (to which I'm sure the answers have been given a thousand times...LOL!):


1.) How frequently should I be stropping?


2.) Any advice about my selections/tips?


I'm am thrilled to be joining your ranks! This will be a Birthday that I will always remember. Thank you all for your wisdom, kindness and advice! It is wonderful to know there are others willing to trod in forgotten yet rewarding paths! Cheers!