Hi all,

First of all this forum/website is truly awesome and I've been picking up alot of information and tips from everyone. Thanks to everyone here.

I've always been interested in straight razor shaving since I was a kid, having seen it done in numerous films, TV shows and seeing how grandpa used to do it. Like most all guys in my generation, I started shaving with the typical mach3 razors, which I always thought was very dull but effective. I've always been very particular with my colognes/aftershaves and always romanticized the whole process of grooming and prepping myself. Yet, I never had the time or the resource to get into straight razors though it was always there in the back of my mind. Then fast forward like 12 years later and I stumble upon this site and I was hooked!

I found a nice cutlery store near where I live that had a small section for straight razors and accessories. At first, when I looked at the prices of the razors, I thought they were a bit pricey but I thought about it, how much money I waste on disposable razors a year cost way more than 1 straight razor and a straight razor would last a long time with proper care, so I dove in and got my first razor, a Dovo "Special".

Once I got my strop and studying various videos and this website, I finally took the plunge in. Surprisingly, my first shave was increbible (compared to alot of first time experiences on here) at that time, it was the best shave I've had and I've used electric razors, mach3/fusion and all that jazz. Of course I still got to pefect my technique but straight razor shaving seemed so natural to me. No nicks, no rash/irritation and it was such a relaxing experience, I felt like a million bucks afterwards. Since then I've shaved about 4 more times and I've been getting better and better. I look foward to being a part of this great straight shaving community.

Wow, I wrote alot.