Another New Guy(but I don't feel new)
Hey,
I have just registered after much perusal of the community. I respect and appreciate the knowledge and experience I see here at SRP. I also greatly appreciate all the work and dedication from Lynn to build the website.
Me? (hoping I don't bore you all)Although I am awaiting delivery of a new Dovo pearlex 5/8, SS and the various accoutrements, I am not new to shaving with a straight razor. I began originally when I was on a submarine in 1978. We weren't allowed any aerosol products so I used a mug and brush for shave lather. I found a nice razor at a yard sale and it seemed only right to "go all the way". I learned to hone and strop that hundred year old blade and used that razor for about 8 years. I was two jobs out of the Navy installing and servicing marine electronics when I met the guy who owned Hoffritz Cutlery (anyone remember them?). I was working on his 65' Hatteras at the 23rd St Marina in NYC when he and I had a discussion about shaving. I told him I used a straight razor and he sent me the best razor Hoffritz carried. It was a beauty but I can't remember any details except the word Solingen on the tang. I shaved with that baby every day until my crazy drug addict first wife attacked me with it. By the time I got out of the hospital, the stains on the blade wouldn't come off so I just put it away and now, fifteen years later I have sickened of the disposables (they irritate my skin) and I have decided to go back to "real shaving". Well, my first (and second) wife is long gone but I can't find that Hoffritz Razor anywhere. I found my strop rotten in a wet box in the basement so I ordered a new one along with the razor, soap, boar brush, apothocary type mug and even a bit of Bay Rum just to get back on track. My old stones are gone so I bought a Belgian blue/ coticule kit to hone my new blade. All this stuff should arrive Monday. I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas!
I did some shopping and found what appears to be very good value at Knife Center for most of the gear. The stones are coming from Best Sharpening Stones. I hope I haven't made the wrong choices (as far as what I ordered and from where). While I have much experience, I am guessing even though wet shaving is an ancient art, much in the way of equipment has changed.
I hope I haven't worn you kids out but I am more excited about resuming straight shaving than I have been about anything in a long time! Sometime (off topic) I can talk you to death about my weight pulling pitbull. I get pumped about him too.
I look forward to participating in these discussions. I know I will learn alot here and maybe even have a laugh now and then.
Brad
