Thread: Ok newbies..Iam going to pay it forward.......

First I want to to say that this seems like a great forum. On my first thread I got a lot of very friendly and helpful advice and I really appreciate it.

I have been wet shaving for about 2 years now, it started when I was wandering around a Walgreens and found the Van Der hagen starter kit with soap and a bowl and brush. I took it home and started wet shaving with a cartridge razor. Not long after I decided I wanted to try a straight razor but didn't want to drop too much money on a straight if I wasn't going to like it. So I bought a DE and about 100 blades for pretty cheap, my first shave fraught with peril and plenty of nicks but was mostly successful. From then on I knew I couldn't go back to shaving any other way. Since then, my first brush has fallen apart and I grabbed a couple of different types of soap but I have enjoyed every minute of it. Fast forward to a couple of days ago, while researching to buy my first real SR I stumbled upon this place and the vast knowledge stored within. For the last couple of days I have absorbed everything I could, and have improved my lathering and shaving techniques immeasurably (they were comparably awful before ). I have also decided I am going to go with a Ralf Aust 5/8 and strop set from Straight razor designs as soon as my next paycheck arrives. I look forward to learning from everyone here and hopefully being able to pass down the joy and feeling of manliness of a good wet shave with a sharp blade to my future offspring.

First post on the site, ever. I currently do not have a straight razor, been searching the site trying to learn as much as i can before i invest. Have been looking heavily straightrazor.com to find a good starting place. Several months ago my g/f bought me a shavette and the van der hagen shave soap kit. I spent the rest of that week staring at the shavette and reading everything i could on here, and watching youtube videos of what to do. still took me about 45 minutes that first night in the bathroom before i had enough nicks and cuts to look i lost a fight with a weedeater. well, i have since gotten better. i have even brought my shavette underway on the cutter i am stationed on. didnt plan to shave with it underway, the rocking of the boat and whatnot, but when i tried going back to a multi-blade it just didnt feel right anymore, had to learn to shave with the rolls of the boat. i have been trying to convince all of the other guys on my boat that they should all take up shaving the classic way too, i tell them to feel how smooth my face is, becuase i definitely faceturbate, a lot, since i started with the shavette. but i would very much appreciate a nice straight razor, so i could show all the other coasties out here what it is really like, and i want to show my son, god willing that i have one, that shaving shouldnt be a chore, it should be something to enjoy, i want to show him, or them if i am luck enough, how to do things the way my grandad did it.

I finally got around to my 2nd shave. It went about as good as the first, my new strop suffered 2 nicks while flipping the razor. I made it out unscathed yet again. My lather making went a lot better this time. The 3 main things I need now are better lighting in my bathroom, more time (need to get out of bed earlier) and more practice. I have yet to have the time to try and shave my neck, I grow a beard to about 1/2" below my jawline. Maybe I will have do that on the days in between shaving my head since that takes so long.
And here is a pic of all my new toys!
Joe

Hello SRP & Nessmuck —

Thanks for putting together this Pay it Forward contest. This is my first post to SRP!

My first straight razor shave was just over a year ago at a barber in Portland, OR while I was on a vacation. Ever since that experience I haven't stopped thinking about the shave. I've been lurking and learning on SRP now for the past 6 weeks or so. Currently, I use one of those vibrating Fusion and some Barbasol shaving cream and I really need to stop the madness.

There are many reasons as to why I'm looking to start using a straight razor the biggest set back is all the initial start up costs. If I happen to cut my juggler on the first go round then it's a costly error. Yet if I don't I'm going to feel more like a bad ass since I cheated death that morning. I might even have a little extra spring to my step since I know I will live to see another day.

Just think your generosity on this contest would be the catalyst to not only helping me enjoy a close shave, but a deeper appreciation for living. In return, I would continue this tradition you are starting and when the time comes for me to upgrade the razor I will pay it forward on SRP and hold the same contest to pass along this razor — thereby furthering a Nessmuck legacy.

Cheers.

Wow! Is this a cool forum or what? So glad to have stumbled upon this.
About 2 weeks ago I decided that straight razor shaving will be my next conquest. I bought a van der Hagen start up kit and a micro touch DE. All is going well and I am really enjoying my shaves more than ever. I ordered a shave ready vintage straight razor but it is a week late on getting here. The seller hasn't responded to my emails. I think I was ripped off.
So here I am with great anticipation with all I need to start except for the straight razor.
Thank you for the opportunity.

JMcE42 -- Consider buying Alzo CFL bulbs -- the 27 watt "Joyous light" variety. They provide absolutely stunning light. I have one screwed into a 4-socket vanity light and it outshines the other much weaker, non-Alzo branded CFLs. It makes it much easier for me to see my face when I shave. Come to think of it, this might be a big reason why I rarely nick myself. As to finding more time...why not just shave twice a day: morning and evening.

Bob

Bob- thanks for the tip on the bulbs, I will look into those.i swapped out the 65w incandescent ones for 100w equivalent florescent ones we had in the closet, also cleaned about 1/4" thick layer of dust/hairspray from the inside of the glass bowl shaped things that go around them, made a huge difference. I like being able to shave my head in the am so it's smoother all day, and had previously only ever shaved twice a week at most, but with shaving being much more enjoyable I see myself doing it a bit more often. I shaved my neck under my beard a little bit ago, went well for the down strokes all over, so I tried some xtg & atg the left side of my face went well but struggled a little holding the razor correctly to do the same on the right side. Didn't dare put the razor in my left hand because I am what I like to describe as left hand retarded haha, nothing I've ever tried to do with it goes the way I want. I'm sure I'll figure it out as I go though. This website has been incredibly helpful for all parts of the shaving experience, thanks to everyone in here!!
Joe

My first and last straight razor shave was done by a Vietnamese barber in Vung Tau, Vietnam, in 1968. I am a dedicated SE/DE shaver and am looking forward to starting my str8 journey. Thank you for this wonderful pif.

I just had my first not shave ready SR shave today and I am addicted! I can't wait to see how a shave ready SR will feel like lol.

I always wanted to learn to use a SR ever since my barber used it on the back of my neck after a haircut. I finally purchased online and it arrived today.

I still need a lot of work on my technique which is obvious due to the cuts I have on my face. One shave and I already want to shave again tomorrow Happy early Independence Day everyone!

Hello all,

So today i got my new dovo razor (my first straight razor) and i was really excited once i opened and cleaned it and stroped it i was ready to go so here is my story...

I stand at the sink after washing my face to prepare my beard and I look at the razor sitting on the counter thinking lord this could be my last day on earth at least let me go with a nice shave... I lather up my beard and look at the razor again and think to myself maybe I should get my first aid kit just in case. qickclot saves lives just saying. I pick up the razor and place it high on my cheek where my beard starts and pull down it hurt a little so I stopped and reset the angle ahhh much better. I do my second pass and continue on to my other cheek. so far so good i start on my neck same pulling problem so i backed off and tried again with a different angle still a little discomfort but im getting used to this. so i finish my neck and ask myself do i feel lucky, now do I. I take the razor to my chin and pray that i dont take my chin off befor work. one..two...three strokes and only one real nick to speak of. i thank my razor for its service clean it and get ready for work. although not my most comfortable shave I think i enjoyed this whole process. any tips or pointers you have for me would be marvelous. im reading as much about this whole process as i can but i feel im at the point where i need the hands on befor i ask for anything else.