Thread: Hell I've fallen in love with Straight Shaving!

Hi,
I'm very new to stropping, but practice all the time on SRD's paddle strop, any chance I get, out comes the stop, some people read the newspaper whilst doing their thing in the bathroom, I strop. Practice practice practice, and it's getting more consistent and smoother, the stopping I mean!
My new Mastro Livi large strop arrived yesterday, and it's a great piece of equipment. The long length gives me a lot of confidence as it allows me to concentrate on pressure and as its a loom I don't have to worry about using my left hand to pull the strop tight. I'm finding it a great way to learn.
I seem to have been infected with EAD 'equipment addiction disorder, as I've only been on the straight shave journey for a couple of weeks, and already have two strops with another on the way, 3 SR's and two more on the way, one a Mastro Livi from SRD the other a birthday present from my Wife, 3 brushes, Kent BLK8 Plisson 10 and 14 in HMB plus all the wet products to last me two years. Oh and the hones as well Naniwa and Shapton to see which I prefer and get the best results from. Don't worry I'll only be using them on an old eBay SR I picked up, to learn how to hone straights, I already do my Japanese kitchen knives and know it's a whole different technique.
Well I will be hitting the ripe old age of 61 on Monday and am semi retired, so with Golf and shaving the future looks rosy. I've just got to stop buying stuff, anyone suggest a cure? Also does anyone know how to turn off the damn auto correct on here, it's driving me nuts.
I may have posted this in the wrong forum, but I started on strops and kinda got carried away with the excitement of my new toys.
Finally I'm on my 12th shave, and really enjoying the journey, with a couple of nick free shaves under my belt, with a long way to go.
Great forum but it sucks you in to spending, still, the new golf clubs can wait!

Hi Duncan and welcome to the party.
Sounds like you are well on your way with some very nice tools to embrace wet shaving properly.
Personally I think the AD's that are associated with this endeavour are part of the attraction. Not everyone wants to hone their own, but for those of us that do, we start with what we can afford, and our tastes and interests change as we become more refined.
Same thing with razors, and strops. The right grind and weight of blade, the right draw and length, or sometimes even colour of strop all influence our directions of interest.
Happily there are always others, either starting, or narrowing their own interests so moving items out is as easy as moving items in.. Well in theory. I personally haven't moved any out yet,, hehe. I like everything I have picked up so far, even if only used once in a season.
Enjoy the shave and the prep, with whatever tools you like at the time.
Cheers.

Glad you are enjoying the ride and hope you continue to do so. No, there is no known cure for EAD. You will just have to learn to enjoy that.

Bob

Hey shaving is cool and all, but don't let those golf clubs get too dusty...

Congrats! You said it, practice, practice, practice is what makes the journey become the art!
BTW I traded in all my clubs for Straight Razors and corresponding accessory...

Good stropping is so important. More new users should get that version of AD than starting with HAD. I'm jealous of the Livi strop!!

Welcome to the addiction. Only cure for the spending is to be honest with the wife on how much you have spent in such a short time. That usually does the trick. Then you start being sneaky and not telling her but have to keep it smaller. Sure my wife would kill me if she knew how much I have actually spent.

Just got in from a round of Golf, and as it was an early start I didn't shave, now I need a shave, life is good!

Fortunately that's not an issue for her, as I don't ask how much her shoes and handbags cost plus a nice bottle of perfume she wasn't expecting always greases the matrimonial wheels!

Duncan,

The straight razor world becomes an obsession. A sweet obsession, I might add. Just remember this: in all likelihood your taste will change in time, so manage your purchases carefully in these initial stages. Either way, welcome to Straight Razor Place.