Thread: Just saying hey

I'm new to the site and fairly new to straight shaving. I'm still in my research stage before ordering anything. I've been going back and forth on DE or straight and think straight is the route I'm going to go. I'm in my mid 30's and currently have a 6 week winter beard. I currently use a fusion and hate shaving, so I shave about every 2-4 weeks and just grow a beard in between shaves. I'm hoping that going to this style of shaving changes my outlook on the event and makes it more enjoyable.

From my understanding, I need to select a blade, strop, brush, and a soap to get started with, then in 6 months or so, look into stones for honing. I really like the Dovo Micarta, but not sure I want to spend that much to get started. I'm also looking at the Fendrihan Best Badger brush and a latigo strop.

Appreciate any input. I'll continue my research here and look forward to some great conversations.

Welcome to SRP. Hope you enjoy your quest. The best advice I can give you is to read through the WIKI on this site. Here's the link Main Page - Straight Razor Place Wiki Study well, buy a shave ready straight, get a strop, brush and soap/cream and have at it. Hones can wait a little while. Just be careful stropping, not too much force and not fast at all. Do not bump your blade or rub it against anything except your face, strop and home. Maybe your arm to check the edge.

Originally Posted by Nefarious

I'm hoping that going to this style of shaving changes my outlook on the event and makes it more enjoyable..

I didn't like shaving until I started shaving with a straight razor. I would go days without shaving and I even looked like a slob at times. Then I went with an electric razor thinking that it would cut down time and I can do it in the car. It did a OK job on my face, but my neck looked like I forgot to shave there!

I picked up a straight blade, and never looked back to anything else! Now, shaving for me is ME time.

Welcome to the site!

Originally Posted by mikedelo

Now, shaving for me is ME time.

That's important as well. The only "ME" time I get now is when I'm on the can at the office...and then the cell phone starts ringing. D'oh!

Thanks fellas

It seems like you have done your research about straight razor shaving. I would just remind you that whatever razor you chose, it should be shave ready. I am sure that you have read the advice of buying from the classifieds already but I am not sure that you have read that some people find shaving with a Dovo Micarta difficult because of the scales. Before you buy, please make sure that you have explored that. And the honing may take a bit less than 6 months, people say that a good average is about 2 to 3. If you have any questions, let us know.

Al raz.

G'day & Welcome

I agree with you. You don't need to spend much on a first razor. $50 or so should get you a shave ready razor from the SRP classifieds. As for the razors to come after that, How deep are your pockets ?

Start reading newbie posts and you will be surprised how many guys went from hating shaving to aggravated that they can only do it once a day. It is a reoccurring symptom of this affliction we have acquired. Hopefully you can fit right into that latter category.