Thread: 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!!!!