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  1. #1
    So far, no scar
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    Default Another Newbie Introduction

    So far, this place is awesome!! Such great information all in one place! (I love '1 stop shopping').

    Well, I'm 36 from Florida. I've wanted to know / learn how to use a straight razor since I was about 17 or 18. I'm finally ready to take the plunge. It may have a little something to do with my new-found "Zen" attitude, and the wonderful prospect of having a shave the way a shave is supposed to be. My wife was actually nearly (ok, not "nearly") as excited as I am about going to the Straight. No, really. Her dad used one, and, as I've read elsewhere, maintains that once you learn it it'll give you less nicks and cuts than a safety. I also have 4 sons that I will be passing this habit/art/skill on to within the next 5 or 6 years.
    I've been doing a lot of research over the past week or so (cramming so to speak). I'm very glad there is so much information out there (most of it mapped from right here).

    I purchased 3 razors from a flea market this past weekend. One of them appears to be a very well used, very old, and still very sharp "Wade & Butcher".
    The other two don't have anything really that set them apart. One is stamped "Black Diamond", and I'd have to check the other when I get home. All seem to be in really good condition considering where they were, and how they have been stored for the last who-knows-how-long.

    I also ordered a strop and stone (Norton 4000/8000) from ClassicShaving.com. Yes, yes, I know, honing is an art, and it's probably not where I should be starting, but since the razors were only $15 each - and there are plenty more for that price where they came from - I figured it would be a good way to get some practice doing something that I'm certainly going to need to do at some point in the not so distant future anyway.

    After reading here, I'm thinking an inexpensive "shave ready" will likely be in my mail box in the near future as well. I'll see how the honing goes - just to get the feel of it - first though. I'm not putting the Wade & Butcher to the stone anytime soon as I don't want to mess it up, and it took the hair off of the back of my hand with no effort right out of the case.

    I'm not planning on putting a blade to my face for at least a couple weeks after my strop and stone get here anyway. I've waited 18 years, what's a few more weeks? I've been "practicing" with my strokes, and technique of holding the razor with what I've been reading, and the videos I've seen. Playing a little "air-razor" if you will.

    Anyway, sorry for such a long diatribe. I'll be lurking, and reading, and even occasionally posting for the next couple weeks until I start nicking myself up!! Thanks for being here!!!!
    Last edited by RAP-BIG-ICP1; 10-23-2007 at 12:22 PM.

  2. #2
    Junior Member hs21's Avatar
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    From one noob to another - Welcome! I'm glad I found this site as well, really solid people who actually want to help. At least it seems that way from spending the last week reading hundreds of threads.

    I don't really know enough about razors (yet) to comment on your purchase but I've read that people love the wade & butcher razors.

  3. #3
    So far, no scar
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    St. Petersburg, FL
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by hs21 View Post
    From one noob to another - Welcome! I'm glad I found this site as well, really solid people who actually want to help. At least it seems that way from spending the last week reading hundreds of threads.

    I don't really know enough about razors (yet) to comment on your purchase but I've read that people love the wade & butcher razors.

    Thanks for the Welcome!! I'm really liking this place already!

    As for the Wade & Butcher, as soon as I saw it (and knowing *NOTHING* at all about razors), I knew I loved it. It really looks nice, and feels good in the hand. I was very surprised, nay, AMAZED that it shaved the hair off my hand with no coaxing. I'm going to be a happy man once I can shave my face with it!!! (not that I'm not happy now) ;-) :-)

  4. #4
    Junior Member hs21's Avatar
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    You should post some pics if you get a chance, these guys may be able to give you a hint as to what razors you may be in possession of. I supposedly have 2 or 3 old razors at my mom's house, but I wasn't able to find them - as soon as I do - I'm posting pics.

  5. #5
    Mocha Man mischievous's Avatar
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    Welcome! My ascent into str8's started with the MSNBC<?> article about wet shaving. I started with a DE but quickly was drawn to str8's. Lot's of great folks here. I've found shaving this way to be everything they say it is. I've also found the RAD to be highly contagious, not to mention, SAD, HAD, etc... Don't be afraid to post here, it truly is a gentlemen's place. Again welcome!

    Cheers,
    Randy

  6. #6
    Member AFDavis11's Avatar
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    Arrrgghhhh! Your killing me. Send me one of those $15 razors and I'll hone it up for you. You gotta get started!

  7. #7
    I need help... I have RAD
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    welcome welcome... from one fellow newbie to another... I got my str98 bug after I browsed a AOS store in Atlantic City... I would suggest as I tell all fellow newbies is get a shave ready razor from one of the honemeisters here or have your razors honed by them..

    I will eventually venture in honing but I wanted to know what to strive for before making the stone purchases... Plus I didn't know if I'd be using str8 for long cause if even with a properly honed shave ready razor and I wasn't able to get a close shave then I'd probly wouldn't continue with the str8.. But thankfully after getting my Dovos honed by Lynn and experianing an excellent shave .. I'm in it for life...

    Now when I move onto honing I'll know what to strive for as far as creating a shave ready razor or if my disposable income allows I can always send them out to get honed... I figured if I keep my lineup to a maximum of 7 then all I have to do is send them out once a year...

    If I get into a spiral buying str8 binge then.... I guess I'll be honing too....

    Good luck.. Welcome.

  8. #8
    So far, no scar
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    St. Petersburg, FL
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    Quote Originally Posted by justchillin View Post
    welcome welcome... from one fellow newbie to another... I got my str98 bug after I browsed a AOS store in Atlantic City... I would suggest as I tell all fellow newbies is get a shave ready razor from one of the honemeisters here or have your razors honed by them..

    I will eventually venture in honing but I wanted to know what to strive for before making the stone purchases... Plus I didn't know if I'd be using str8 for long cause if even with a properly honed shave ready razor and I wasn't able to get a close shave then I'd probly wouldn't continue with the str8.. But thankfully after getting my Dovos honed by Lynn and experianing an excellent shave .. I'm in it for life...

    Now when I move onto honing I'll know what to strive for as far as creating a shave ready razor or if my disposable income allows I can always send them out to get honed... I figured if I keep my lineup to a maximum of 7 then all I have to do is send them out once a year...

    If I get into a spiral buying str8 binge then.... I guess I'll be honing too....

    Good luck.. Welcome.
    Well, I'm in it for the long run. I've wanted to for a very long time, and when I set my obsession on something, I stick with it. It sometimes pisses off the wife, but we all have our faults!! If it hurts, and scars, and mangles, I'm going to do this until it doesn't!!!!
    I'm already in a twist for more "stuff"! LOL. I've seen so many different razors, and other accessories that I'm already jonesing for, it's crazy! And I haven't even laid a blade to my face yet!!
    As for honing, I'm nearly as excited to start practicing that as I am shaving.

    To AFDavis11, if you're serious, PM me your addy, and I'll ship it out with return packaging straight away! Thanks!!!!

  9. #9
    Member AFDavis11's Avatar
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    Ya got a PM . . .

  10. #10
    The original Skolor and Gentileman. gugi's Avatar
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    welcome and

    hurry up and take Alan up his offer!!!!

    If I were you I'd send him the W&B, but that's me

    with 4 sons it sounds like you'll need to find 4 more W&B's if you like them so much - lucky for you these were made by the millions, so you'll be good

    enjoy

    P.S. Very nice of you Alan!!! (hi-five from a newbie, hence on a weekday)

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