Thread: How old were you the first time?

Originally Posted by JMS

You realize that there is going to be razor burn issues with a straight until you get your technique down and your face gets used to it.
EDIT: Oh, welcome to SRP! Where are my manners?

Thank you for your welcome JMS.

I think I can handle a few razor burns from the str8... I've been having razor burns from gillettes for years, after all... :-\

And... to tell the truth... I think that using a str8 still has some kind of magic

OK you young whippersnappers out there. Reading this thread tells me that I am one of the old timers hanging out at SRP. I'm 54 and been shaving with a st8 for about 9 months, maybe more. (I don't look a day past 53, hoever.)

Hi All,
i was 15. Bought a Gotta { German } straight and a strop. Too many westerns growing up.
Didn't have a clue on caring for razor or strop correctly and was totally self taught, paid for in blood {literally} sweat and tears.
Persisted for a couple of years, then dropped to every couple of months for the next...... well now it's 25 years since i started. Got better at caring and sharpening as an offshoot of knifemaking and sword sharpening. Found SRP and all the wonderful information which improved everything humungously. Now it's the only way. RAD is a little out of control and collection has tripled in the last 4 months to a dozen razors.
No razor burn or nicks for four months { touch wood. }
Never look back.

I started wetshaving over a decade ago -- I just loved the idea of use a mug, soap, and brush. I made the switch to DE's about 15 months ago, and finally to str8's just this past month.

I'm 35yrs old and loving every minute of this adventure. I've been learning to hone and strop my razors (3 Wapienica's) and have had great success. I've got about 6 BBS shaves under my belt with very few nicks or cuts, and even less razor burn. Every shave gets a little bit better. I'm not sure if this is due to improvements to my honing / stropping skills, or simply better technique with the str8.

Thanks for all the advice, help, and encouragement along the way!!!!

- Ken -

Originally Posted by dzacca

Thank you for your welcome JMS.

I think I can handle a few razor burns from the str8... I've been having razor burns from gillettes for years, after all... :-\

And... to tell the truth... I think that using a str8 still has some kind of magic

It does!! After 15 years it still has magic!

I started at 50. My wife said it was my change of life toy, I said it was cheaper than a sports car...

I started early this year at 32, still got a couple months before the next milestone.

Ant

Started wet shaving right off the bat at 15 after being fascinated with my Dad's soap and brush. Moved to a DE at 18, then to the straight at 23. I'm 26 now, so roughly 3 years with a straight razor

Originally Posted by RichZ

I started at 50. My wife said it was my change of life toy, I said it was cheaper than a sports car...

I use a slightly modified version of that when my wife has a niggle: "cheaper than a new wife" (never goes down well, just so you know).

My first time was in my 35th year. I've been using straights for about 18 months give or take - turned 37 recently.

James.

Originally Posted by Jimbo

I use a slightly modified version of that when my wife has a niggle: "cheaper than a new wife" (never goes down well, just so you know).

James.

James you are my hero if I said that I would have to sleep with one eye open and my hands covering my important parts.