And yet another beginner......

After lurking in the background for a few weeks, I thought I'd say hello to all you guys out there........

I've been wetshaving for nigh on forty years now, and am sick of ending up with shaves that leave your face feeling like a badgers backside. (I tend to speed shave 'cos being a lazy git I leave everything to the last moment in the morning)

Anyway I digress. To cut a long story short, for my birthday, my kids (16&12) paid for me to have a straight razor shave. - boy was it good!!!! It was so good I thought I might try it myself. so after a bit of googling I found you lot.

THIS FORUM IS BRILLIANT!!!!

What a knowledgebase this is, its members are willing to share their experiences with anyone, and aren't a pack of stuffy purists.

But you have set me on the slippery slope into SR shaving - big time!

So far my acquisitions are:

Vulfix Badger hair Shaving Brush
Musgo Real Shaving Cream
2 razors off e-bay, a 4/8 Luna (A. Feist) and a French 5/8 Trophee (Both need honing and I need to get a shave ready razor)

I'm waiting delivery of
Lynn's DVD :bow
A Tony Miller Travelling Strop :bow
Belgian Blue Whetstone and Coticule (I know the Norton would be cheaper, but I like natural stone....)

If you have any recommendations / comments on what I've got so far or future purchases, please le me know - It really would be appreciated

Once again, A big thankyou to all you people out there.

Welcome, Grum!! Glad to have you aboard!

Sounds like you're starting out right. The badger brush will treat you well. If you want to pick up a shave-ready, I'd suggest gluing your eyes to the B/S/T for short period. They are pretty frequent to come across. You could even post a Wanted ad there. I'm sure you will find the experience of shaving yourself nothing less than incredible.

Good luck,
~Chris

Glad to have you here, Grum! It sounds like you are off to a great start in your move to straight razors. Lynn's dvd will really help you conquer the initial learning curve.

Welcome! Everything sounds good except the fast shave tendency. Straight razor shaving is best done at a safe pace. It is also one of the more pleasureable times in the day. Try shaving the night before. You may prefer it as it will last through the next day if close. There are a lot of possibilities that will work. Patience is the key and the pleasure.

Monte

Thanks folks.....

Well, it seems that I haven't made any dire mistakes so far, but give me time.

Monte, Thanks for your advice, you're dead right advising me to take my time. (I was wamping on a bit in my original post so I decided to keep it short - ish).

I have been taking my time lately with my shaving and it really makes a difference giving it a 1x WTG, 1x XTG and a vain attempt at AGT - ouch!. But minor razor burn excepted, shaving now is really enjoyable.

Trust me, I'll be going a lot slower with a straight.................

+1 monte. Grum, best thing to do(and I believe many would concur) shave after the evening shower. The beard is hot, wet and ready to shave. Relax buddy, slow the world down and take your time, thats the only way to enjoy it. Also, you will get the best shave.

You're both right, SWMBO also keeps telling me to slow down!

Advice is now taken on board.....

Cheers Lads!