Where have I been all this time

I cannot help but tell my story. Last week I needed I need to buy some shaving cream. Since I always seem to be running out, I thought I would search the internet (thank god for the web) and see if I could buy some canned shaving cream in bulk.... yes, I know, all of you take a deep breath and wait for the rest of the story.

So I Google "shaving cream" and where on earth did I wind up but B&B (which I have noticed many of you are on too). Funny what Google does for us. That site led me to SRP.

I have been an avid reader on both sites for a week now. I have already ordered a Merkur HD and some soaps and I am searching for a good deal on a best badger brush.

Now I am contemplating buying a straight..... oh who the heck am I kidding, I am going to buy one as soon as I get some advice on strop which I will seek out soon ( I have my reasons).

My girlfriend thinks I have fallen off the deep end. I'm not sure, but I think I have found Nirvana....... I can't wait to cut myself for the first time and hopefully last all in the same stroke. Heck, I'm even looking forward to just making lather right now.

Thanks for all the advice I have already read.

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Originally Posted by slimJ

I cannot help but tell my story. Last week I needed I need to buy some shaving cream. Since I always seem to be running out, I thought I would search the internet (thank god for the web) and see if I could buy some canned shaving cream in bulk.... yes, I know, all of you take a deep breath and wait for the rest of the story.

So I Google "shaving cream" and where on earth did I wind up but B&B (which I have noticed many of you are on too). Funny what Google does for us. That site led me to SRP.

I have been an avid reader on both sites for a week now. I have already ordered a Merkur HD and some soaps and I am searching for a good deal on a best badger brush.

Now I am contemplating buying a straight..... oh who the heck am I kidding, I am going to buy one as soon as I get some advice on strop which I will seek out soon ( I have my reasons).

My girlfriend thinks I have fallen off the deep end. I'm not sure, but I think I have found Nirvana....... I can't wait to cut myself for the first time and hopefully last all in the same stroke. Heck, I'm even looking forward to just making lather right now.

Thanks for all the advice I have already read.

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Honest man! I like that!
Welcome aboard! I can assure you that you have not found nirvana, but there are a few here who believe it is a reasonable facsimile!

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Originally Posted by slimJ

My girlfriend thinks I have fallen off the deep end. ...

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Just remember to keep breathing swimmer. :D

X

Welcome!

Yeah, no point deceiving oneself - this thing is addictive and it starts even before you've started :)
We're glad to have you here, looking forward to your posts on starting this.

It shouldn't be too hard to find a good brush. I'd say if your budget allows it get a high quality one.

And...the RAD has struck another person. Welcome to the...club.

Btw, buy a Tony Miller strop. The Well Shaved Gentleman, Heirloom Razor Strop Company, Straight Razor Shaving Supplier

Sounds like you're hooked already. From one obsessed shaver to another, you will have a lot of fun.
Cheers.

You're actually going to learn how to shave. A lot of us started with a DE, so by the time we got to straights, we already knew the importance of prep, how to make a good lather, stretching the skin, direction of growth etc. You really are in at the deep end & there will be a lot to take in. You'll get all the help you need here though. It's the friendliest site you'll ever come across & the fella's are fantastic!
As mentioned by Leighton, a Miller is highly recommended here, though i've not got one. He does a practise strop. There are other good strops out there too though. You will nick it, so don't spend a lot untill your technique is sorted out.
Stick with it & you will be rewarded!:gl:

Hello Slim and welcome to SRP. You have entered the land of Nostalgia and are going to start a practice that your grandfathers did before you. Sometimes older ways are better and this is one of them. Good luck on your journey.

bj

Welcome to SRP! We look forward to hearing about
your first shave.

- Scott

Quote:

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Originally Posted by slimJ

My girlfriend thinks I have fallen off the deep end. I'm not sure, but I think I have found Nirvana....... I can't wait to cut myself for the first time and hopefully last all in the same stroke. Heck, I'm even looking forward to just making lather right now.

.

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Hey slim, welcome to SRP. You've come to the right place.

For your strop... get a Tony Miller once you get some experience, but in the meantime Illinois is also a reputable brand.

As for your above statement, good luck with that mate! :roflmao

Hi Slim,

Yeah, it sounds like you're about to fall down that rabbit hole. I should mention to you that it's a bottomless one for many of us 'hobbyists'. There, that's your one warning.

I'd suggest starting with a DE, and then go to a straight after your technique has improved. By then, you'll have learned some things that will make using a straight much easier. You'll know about proper prep before the shave, what's good lather, and will have learned how your whisker pattern grows. You will also develop the right mindset for getting a great shave using something real sharp. Yeah.......it's not something to be rushed as you already probably know. Gotta go slowly, and pay attention.

It's gonna take a while though, just so you know. Give yourself a good 3-4 weeks before things come together, and then you can see if a DE is something to continue with. It takes some time to learn all the variables, and everything but the actual part of using a DE razor will carry over to straight shaving. No stropping or honing to deal with will only help you learn the basics quicker and still in a fun way.

Oh, about the Merkur you'll be receiving: I've never used one of those, but they do get very good reviews. I see you did some reading before pulling the trigger, and let me offer one tip that may help. The Merkur razor blade included may not be the right one for you to start with. They are fine for some people, but most don't care for em much. You may not understand this now, but all blades are not the same. To give yourself the best chance of early success, you might consider trying a different brand at first. Then, after shaving with a couple or three types, give the Merkur blades a shot. It's what I wish I'd have done when I started using a DE. Keep in mind that you should only use one type blade for the first couple weeks, then switch to another for comparison. It's all about a reference point, and building on it as you go.

If you like, PM me and I'll send out a small blade assortment that you may find amusing....heh. If not, then good luck with whatever you decide on.
Martin

Oh, I should probably include this little item, as long as I'm posting anyway. It's not something that most members like to talk about, but most of em are.......anti-Gillettic (also includes all other DE types). Yep, be prepared to be treated like pond scum until you learn the straight.

You've made a good choice coming to the straight razor side. I haven't been shaving with a straight for too long, and my wife says I spend more time shaving than with her :shrug:.

Seems that you have a touch of RAD, but don't worry other forms of AD will show up soon. I went happy on ebay one week, got some razors to practice with, and a set of hones to sharpen them up.

Good luck, and enjoy your new routine.

Thats more or less how I ended up here but I was looking for Bay Rum Aftershave. I orderd a straight razor, bought a Gillette DE off ebay upgraded to a badger hair brush, have eight aftershaves, three balms, four soaps, another DE, ...... and another order is in the mail! Can't tell you how much fun I'm having and I get to participate on this great site! And I smell good Too! Clubman:y.
Dannyr:tu

Well, I have been busy today. My Merkur HD, soap and blades came in the mail today. I bought a EJ BBB with a stand from England. And I just completed the purchase of an F.W. Engels straight.

I appreciate all the advice and welcomes. This is quickly becoming an obsession. I think it is called an "AD".:y

Oh yeah, think I am gonna get a TM strop when his site opens again.

Welcome to the club Jeff
This is a road you will not regret wondering down.