Hey Everyone,

I'm TCRG and I am from London England. I thought I would introduce myself and tell you my journey so you guys can guide me to a better shave. I have already spent quite a while browsing the forums and I am very thankful for this communities advice.

I will try to tell you a little about myself so that hopefully your counsel might help others in the same situation as me.

First of all, I had been toiling with the idea of straight razor shaving for quite some time. The idea of mastering an art has always been appealing to me. So far, my shaving routine has been nothing short of a chore. I am unable to shave everyday as the razor burn becomes to intense. So I shave twice maybe thrice a week. I find that the longer my beard is the more easily I can get a clean shave.

The last few years my shaving routine has been a shower and a shave. I have been using a 2 blade disposable razor and the real shaving company's shaving cream applied with a synthetic brush. Needless to say, this is the routine of a man that has tried it all (but SR) and has now given up.

Just a description of my beard. I have very sensitive skin and tough hair. The hair from my sideburns to my jawline go downwards, moustache included. But (and this is the annoying part), the hair on my neck make some very strange pattern which twist and turn which in some areas make it practically impossible to shave with the grain. That and the fact that I have a very pointy Adams Apple make my shaving experience quite unpleasant. If I shave more than 3 times a week I get razor bumps around my neck and because I do a job that requires me to wear a shirt and tie, the chafing from the collar makes it even worse.

So anyway, recently I decided to try and look for a solution again. I bought a pure badger brush and I went to l'occitane for a decent set of shaving cosmetics (thanks for your feedback on them). I am now making some decent lather and I am enjoying the experience a bit more. This led me to investigate the idea of SR a bit more. After thinking about it I decided to buy a shavette with the idea to upgrade to a SR in the future (when I become worthy).

I am managing to shave my dominant side side burn and cheek WTG. Although I still feel that the shave is not very close and because I have to finish with the disposable razor I still have the problem of not being able to shave every day. Which means I can't practise everyday. But because I am very eager, I still do and so my face is in quite a discomfort a lot of the time.

Today, I shaved with the shavette the dominant side of my neck and I find it very difficult. I do not know which way to shave to make comfortable.


Having said all that I am happy to perceiver but I definitely need your moral support and words of wisdom.

One more thing, as I am new, when you use acronyms can you explain them the first time so I get used to them.


Thanks for everything and please forgive my poor prose.

Your newly devoted fellow Straight Shaver,

TCRG