Thread: If I were starting over . . .

This thread got me thinking back about how it all started for me and what I would have done differently. To my surprise, I was able to find my first posts on the straightrazorplace yahoo group I had joined when I was a poor university student back in 2003. Namely, my first straight razor newbie experience.

I bought a straight razor kit off a forum member, consisting of a dovo prima ebony 5/8, a wide dovo strop and a barber hone. I was able to keep that going for a couple of years, before getting more razors and stuff.

If I were starting over, I wish I would have been able to find someone who is very experienced to show me the ropes hands on. Namely stropping technique and to inspect my edge to see if it is really shave ready and at its full potential. It would have shaved off a good 6 months off my learning curve. My barber at the time was experienced with straights, but was reluctant to share his knowledge. The straight razor meet ups were very helpful in acquiring that hands on knowledge, but that only came 5 years later.

We are very lucky today to have such a large and globally widespread community.

Oh and I almost forgot. I wish I would have discovered the joys of the coticule earlier on in my journey.

The only thing I would change would be to start with a 3" wide strop.

And maybe add a hot towel steamer to the bathroom. (SWMBO still won't let me do that)