Thread: How old were you the first time?

I was ( and still am) 29.

42 years old. That was, I started around Feb. of this year when I found this site. I went to my nearby store and they didn't have any DE blades!! In a panic and rage I searched online where to buy some and found this site by accident and haven't left since. It turns out that the store had just moved the razor blades to another side of the aisle but it was too late, I was so outta there! The worst learning curve? Not to brag but honing and stropping came almost natural to me. I still get minor razor burn though and depending on how good I shave any morning, I go 2 or 3 passes. A KB Extra razor I bought from Bill Ellis made for a fine guide to honing my razors and teaching me on what kind of edge to achieve. New guys should really get at least one razor hone ready from one of our Honemiesters.
Ernest

PS: I haven't had any razor burn in 3 months but I do find that I am shaving really fast (this is bad). I need to remember to slow down before I slice myself up real good to remind me by.

Ok well I am 51 and have been at it for about 5 weeks now, am getting quite good results.

In my time I have tried about every type of razor, including a few electric, none of them satisfactory, and I do have very dry and sensitive skin.

I found the learning curve vertical, but with the help of you guys was able to research the subject well.

First week I used a shavette, to get the feel of a sharp blade, I did get a couple of nicks and a bit of razor burn.

Bought a couple of honed razors, and found this to be an instant improvement, no nicks and no razor burn.

Last night I honed my own razor to shave ready, worked fine had a great shave, and finally I don’t have dry skin anymore, in fact I feels smother then I can ever remember.

I'm 30 and I started this year in May or June. I'm a very fast learner!

I started shaving when I was 14 with Gillette stuff. I didn't like the feel afterwards, I got a clean shave but it felt bad (irritation). After that I tried electric shaving with a Phillips but I never got a smooth shave and when my beard was older than 4 days the device sometimes jammed (yes I have a course beard). 3 Years ago I read on a forum about a guy who used a straight razor . At the time I didn't liked shaving but sharping your own knife to the point that it is hair popping sharp sounded great. So when I was 17 I bought a leather strop a strop paddle and a Dovo razor. Liked it so much haven't stopt ever since. (so the story has a happy end after all )

Skizzo

I was 25 when I started (about 1 year) and am 44 now, but I've only been shaving for about 5 years (started again around 40). My first foray and more recent one was plaqued by poor shaves from a lack of honing ability. I gave up the first time.

It was a year ago today. My 22nd Birthday last year when I started shaving with a straight razor.

Originally Posted by pilothaz

It was a year ago today. My 22nd Birthday last year when I started shaving with a straight razor.

By the way, Happy birthday!

Cheers,
Viktor

Originally Posted by pilothaz

It was a year ago today. My 22nd Birthday last year when I started shaving with a straight razor.

Happy Birthday!

Originally Posted by Jonedangerousli

I was 15, she was 34...

Oh, wait.

Never mind.

OK now don't lie, nah go ahead lie....but keep it interesting!

Originally Posted by zepplin

My first str8 razor shave was six months ago. I was, and still am, 65.

Honing has been the most fun and fascinating part of my learning process. This skill, or art, has been an on going and changing process from day to day. I will not allow myself to become over confident. I will always have more to learn in regard to honing. I feel I have become very good at this, and my sucess rate has become very high. I am, also recognizing the differences, and needs, of different blades and steels.

Learning to pin, tighten, & disassemble razors was difficult for me to also learn. - but this is going well, too. I love buying a crap razor for next to nothing on Ebay, and bringing it back to a beautiful instrument that gives me a great shave. This gives me great joy!!

Steve

Hats off to you Steve, sounds like you're a natural str8 shavin' addict!

Originally Posted by Morturn

Bought a couple of honed razors, and found this to be an instant improvement, no nicks and no razor burn.

Last night I honed my own razor to shave ready, worked fine had a great shave, and finally I don’t have dry skin anymore, in fact I feels smother then I can ever remember.

Amazing how much better a straight can leave your skin feeling, isn't it? Seems counterintuitive but mine is certainly less irritated and the ingrowns are an oddity instead of a painful tradition. Congrats!