Thread: New guy saying Hello, and progress so far

Hi everybody! I just wanted to say hello, share my beginning experience, and also to say thank you to this community for the resource that is this forum! It has helped me greatly with getting started.

Unfortunately, I found this forum AFTER I had purchased a GD 208 set about 6 weeks ago and had a pretty bad time with it. However, after coming across this forum and in turn, SRD, I bought a Dovo Gentleman about 4 weeks ago. I am about 10 shaves in with the Dovo and I am getting pretty good shaves with it. No nicks, and no burn. My ATG passes were still leaving a little to be desired though.

I was reading through some of the threads here and someone mentioned stropping between the WTG and the ATG passes, so I decided to try it last night. WOW, did that make a difference for me….I have a pretty thick, wiry beard and after the secondary stropping, I was able to do the ATG with ease. My first perfect BBS shave!

Welcome. I try to focus more on a close comfortable smooth shave then BBS. I am glad you are making good progress. We all learn at different paces but most things require a bit of repetition to get good at it. I can't say I have ever stropped between passes or felt the need. Perhaps you could try more passes before your shave. Stropping between passes seems like such an interruption of a nice relaxing shave. I guess if it works for you...

I agree with Shaun. The BBS is not for everyone and does me no good.

A good, comfortable one pass shave will meet most needs

So, welcome to the forum. You will find plenty of info and a lot of people more than willing to help. There are quite a few members in your area so a mentor should be easy to locate.

I shave every day and a one pass shave is good enough for me. I have sensitive skin and ATG is overkill on my skin. I am lucky that my beard grows in the same direction, so If I really want a bbs shave for that special event,two wtg passes will do it.

Originally Posted by Badgister

I shave every day and a one pass shave is good enough for me. I have sensitive skin and ATG is overkill on my skin. I am lucky that my beard grows in the same direction, so If I really want a bbs shave for that special event,two wtg passes will do it.

Interesting. My beard also grows straight and in one direction; I'll have to try two wtg passes next time. (I'm brand new, only 3 shaves in)

Originally Posted by Whipstitch

Interesting. My beard also grows straight and in one direction; I'll have to try two wtg passes next time. (I'm brand new, only 3 shaves in)

You guys are sooooooo lucky.

I have at least 7 grain directions. Makes for interesting shaving.

Thanks for the feedback guys! I can see all of your points and I'm not trying to imply or give the impression to any others that are new to the straight razor that stropping inbetween passes is the golden ticket to a perfect shave or that a BBS shave should be the goal for everybody. CCS just isn't good enough for me, personally....or my wife. I probably will try to eliminate the secondary stropping as my technique improves. I'm sure I am making plenty of mistakes and have a lot to learn.

Truth is, I shaved for years with various Gillette multi-blade razor cartriges and always got excellent shaves with them. In the intrest of running a leaner, greener household, combined with the nostalgia of the straight razor, I ditched the cartriges and couldn't be happier. However, it was my personal goal to get as good of a shave or better with a straight razor.

Thanks again for welcoming me!

Welcome to SRP. There are many paths to the same destination. Besides getting a great shave, you may also notice better skin complexion and enjoying the "zen" of shaving as well. Once again welcome aboard and let us know how your shaves progress.

I'm also a homebrewer, also bought a GD 208 set, also had a rough start and am now looking to replace it!

When I started I would strop between passes and I think it helped. After a while I was able to get the close shave without stropping between passes.

@twohomebrewer - about your sealant idea, just rub it down with some renwax and that will seal it fine.