Thread: Just wanted to Introduce Myself...

Good Morning. Just wanted to introduce myself as I am a new
member and newbie. I've been shaving with a safety razor and brush for some time (merkur futur) and have been wanting to make the leap to straight razors. From what I have read (Christopher Moss) and seen (video by one of your members on web), once I get the hang of it, I would expect closer shaves with fewer nics. Of course the whole
idea of accidentally going parallel with the blade scares me. Well, that's me and where I'm at in my shaving life. Suggestions on what kind of blade to start with... I've been trolling eBay for bargains, but don't want to buy junk.

Best,
TC

Welcome!

As for the new blade, I would recommend checking the Buy/Sell/Trade (BST) section here to get a good shave-ready blade from a known member. Or, you can purchase retail from someone like Jim at www.vintagebladesllc.com. I got my first blade there and the service and speed was phenomenal.

Welcome. Avoid ebay for now, or permanently.... Take a day off work, hang out in buy/sell/trade hitting refresh every 30s and you'll have something great.... they go really fast. Seriously go to BST and post Want To Buy (WTB) a noob razor and one of the senior members will very likely come to your aid. You can also check the thread about Waps for noobs by Mike Ratlif, (I got my favorite blade form him), he is selling them for $40 shave ready to noobs, but this order may be full. Anyhow good luck and happy shaving. I'd be shocked if you don't have a blade in the mail by tomorrow.
G

Welcome to SRP! You have found perhaps the best resource online for straight razor users. Make sure that you get your first razor honed to "Shave Ready" by the producer if it's www.classicshaving.com, http://www.vintagebladesllc.com/ or another. If you don't get it from a vendor here, be sure to have it honed by one of our resident Honemisters. Good luck keeping it to just one razor after the first month or so!

I'll third the B/S/T forum for a good
razor that will come shave ready from
people you can trust.

John

Thanks Guys,
eBay Bad....people with experience good How did you guys come around to the straight razor. I have been looking for a better and cleaner shave. Initially it was the quick shave with the electric...then back to the Cheapee safety (although when you add up the costs it does get expensive) to the higher quality safety. I remember a quote somewhere about how to be careful buying a new blade....something like "It's your face!!"

I look at straight razor shaving as a meditative activity...time patience and an art. Thoughts?

BTW...newbie question...how many shaves to you get out of a freshly honed razor. Also, I've purchased from classicshaving.com. Do their razors come "shave ready" or do they also need the sharpening service?
THX

It depends on beard toughness, amount of prep, the blade itself, and how you care for it. 12 weeks or more is standard, but you may need it rehoned if you roll the blade stroping or otherwise damage the edge. Another advantage from buying here is that several members offer a 3 month free rehoning service.

Welcome to SRP! The initial jump is scary but you will eventually get good with the razor. I can't even remember the last time I used something other then a str8.

I do have one wapi left on my website. I didn't do a bulk order as Mike did, so I didn't get a break on the shipping. I offer a three month hone warranty. Just pay return shipping. There are usually razors listed on our B/S/T forum that the sellers will list a "great for beginners". Watch for these. Unless otherwise stated, the razors sold here are expected to be shave ready and all the sellers stand by their work.

Again welcome!

Can you enlighten me on what a wapi is????