When everything is goes right, from the first consideration to the first shave

So it's not been about 2 weeks since I decided I'm going to straight shave. Looked around online, found badger and blade and then found SRP within another couple of days. Found a mentor and then everything Just fell into place.

I cannot over emphasize the role my mentor has played in making this such a satisfying experience. 10Pups, hereafter known as, "THE MAN" is my mentor. Now THE MAN is not a title lightly used by me. A man typically builds and fixes things and has integrity and pride in himself. And doesn't wear skinny jeans or a Grizzly Adam's when it's 120 frikn degrees outside. And e doesn't drive a Ford festiva, or are least won't admit it.

Well, THE MAN fits this description and more. He and a friend of his spent about 10 hours with me over the last 2 Sundays getting me from nowhere to shaving.

THE MAN reassured me last Sunday that I could do OK on ebay following his advice. 4 hours later I won a Simon's hdw co keen Kutter Royal for 15 dollars to my door.

Today THE MAN spent a few more hours doing light clean up and a full hone job. Removing some pitting (only visible magnified) at the edge and restoring the bevel. He then took it to to shave ready on a 12k naniwa and stropped it up for me too.

Lastly, THE MAN let me use one of his brushes and soap and gave me a some guidance with my first shave. Now I've had better. It could be closer. But zero nics and the beginnings of a steady hand and of building a relationship with my razor.

Thank you. You're THE MAN.

I stopped by WEST COST SHAVING on my way home and picked up an omega brush, Katie's bubbles, alum block and a stand for my brush and razor. Off to wallmart for someone aqua velva.

Kevin at WCS was really nice and took the time to help me select the products I wanted. I really like that place and I recommend them for your wet shaving needs.

Tomorrow I am returning a match rifle to another mentor of mine who happens to have a full cow hide so I'll have a stop as well. Things don't usually work out so well for me. I've grown accustomed to the struggle and the trial and error experience. So it's really nice to have such a smooth experiences. Is this what it's like when the stars align? I could get used to that.

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It looks like you are off to a great start. Having someone help you along the way really makes all of this a lot easier.

It was a pleasure meeting and spending some time with mdeamicis. As far as the stars go I would say there is a meteor shower going on right now, we are about to have the best solar eclipse of a life time in the US and nothing is in Uranus. You did well listening and made some great choices. I am sure the learning curve has been cut in half at least. Just got to train your hand and pay attention to your face and you got this. My first real cut came when I got a little over confident and cocky. Guess who I was staring in the face when it happened :<0) Good luck and you know to call if you run into any problems although I think yours are going to be few and far between. Will be seeing you again I hope. We should have a meet around here when it cools off some and I get the shop up and running.

Great you got some hands on time with a good member/Mentor here.
And by the sounds of it, you're rolling along quite nicely

Excellent story and good on ya Jerry for taking the time helping a fellow member. This is exactly what keeps the ball rolling. Kindness goes a long way and shows there are still great Men out there guiding the next group along. With patience and what you have been taught you will do just fine.

What a great start. I wish I had a mentor at the start, but I cannot thank the people here who were quick to respond to all of my questions. Most of which they had probably faithfully answered many times before.

Loving the razor too.

The only thing I would say is be careful with your stand. I am not a huge fan of keeping my razors in the bathroom because of the risk of moisture. The same can be said for keeping it on a stand next to a wet brush. People do it with no issues, but it's worth being vigilant on. I always dry my razors then they sit on the bedside table with the blade open until I am sure they are fully dry before I close them and put them away. I wouldn't recommend this procedure if there are children around for obvious reasons, but it works really well for me as I am the only child in our house.

Thanks for sharing, and for the pictures. We love pictures here.

Good luck and enjoy.

Congrads to both of you. A newbie that was smart enough to ask for help and listen to what hes told, and for a man willing to mentor and give his best advice, words of his wisdom and time to teach. The world would be a much better place if more of this happened.
I too had a mentor by email, not in person, but it helped me a lot also.

Congrats on your great start! Of course it makes a huge difference having a mentor coach you along. I will reiterate what was already said, be on your guard when first learning the angles and how much pressure to use. I know from experience that once you take things for granted and get cocky the cuts start to arrive and remind you just how much you need to be constantly mindful of what you are doing.

All the best to you!

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Originally Posted by Porl

I wouldn't recommend this procedure if there are children around for obvious reasons, but it works really well for me as I am the only child in our house.

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Both of my daughters have their own sharp shinys and are almost as mature as myself as well as qualified to the army marksmanship standards through Project Appleseed. I think the only thing is I have to to fear is them trying to tape me up in my sleep and then shaving me. Our bathroom has pretty good vent fans and we live in desert. Humidity really ain't an issue here. It's also covered in an special gun lube that soaks into the pours of the metal. The celluloid scales mean I have to be vigilant or suffer wrath of rust. I may make carbon fiber scales and set these aside given the razor is all original in really good shape and a hundred twenty years old.

Trying to find a descent wade and butcher to restore on good advice. Then I'll have that to shave with while I get this one cheried out.

Aloha!

Congrats on the smooth plunge into straight razor shaving, OP. And hats off to 10pups for the mentoring. A true gentleman for helping an emerging straight razor aficionado.

Mentors can make all the difference in the world.
I started shaving with a straight razor when I was 18 and inherited my grandfather's Solingen. Back then, there was no internet, so I was isolated. My grandfather had long sinced passed, and my father was a DE only guy with no straight razor experience. Luckily my cousin (20 years my senior) was a barber that straight shaved and he took me under his wing and taught me how to strop and shave with a straight. He also honed my razor for me when I needed it. Without his guidance, I would probably have given up and started shaving solely with a DE. I owe him a debt of gratitude, may he RIP. Mentors can be a lifesaver.

-Zip