Thread: Hi All - My story

Thought I'd say hi and share my story in getting into the straights.

But firstly and most importantly thanks for all for the great source of information in this forum!

It's now about 2 months from my first shave with the straight and since the first shave I've never used anything else. And will not unless I develop serious case of Parkinson's etc in years to come.

Prior to going straight () I was a gillette guy some 20 years and only tried electrical ones few times (hated them in every time). One can get a good shave with G allright - but the recent development has got out of hand, they keep adding blades to their products at the pace that in ten years they'll be shaving with quintippio-ones that'll cost 25€ per blade. And of course every time they'll put out a new model one has to buy new grip...

And here's how my going straight started. One dark Friday went out and bought groceries and picked up set of G blades (5 pct @ 25€ or so ). Back home noted that none of the grips I had fit into the new blades. While I was cursing like a pirate my wife came smiling to me with her lady shaver which was the only G product that I could fit the new blades into. While I was shaving with my lady shaver-thebestmancanget combo it really struck me:

man has shaved for a couple of thousands or so years but never been so humiliated before. Oh - is this really the best man can get, or perhaps should I alternatively buy one of those squeeze-for-the-cream-and-hit-to-your-face electric shavers.

Well, honestly, been interested in going into straight razors for a while but it was in fact my wife who saved me - she bought me a set with strop, badger brush, soap, and the simplest Dovo straight as a birthday gift.

Now after 2 months I've got a second Dovo (new), one e-bay Eicker H. & Söhn Stosser Heartring I restored and latest addition you can find from the SRP database (John Shaw & Sons one I'm currently restoring). Never in my life felt so much satisfaction for shaving as I do now! It takes quite a bit more time yes, but it's really the only time for me that I'll spend totally, utterly by myself and FOR myself. Added with the satisfaction of handcrafting (restoring) blades sometimes 100 or so years old.

Oh - and I did return the lady shave grip to my lady with a rather wide grin (disposing all the bestthemancanget-stuff with the other hand).

Well that's my first contribution for the forum - rather philosophical one - but I feel that straight razor shaving requires a certain philosophy - as does driving vintage cars, shooting purdley shotguns,...

T

Welcome aboard, I'm sure you will find many folks like yourself here who are willing to share the knowledge base that has been built up.

Enjoy,

Joe

Welcome! Glad to hear that you are enjoying your straight experience!

Welcome to the SRP, Teutonix! Sounds like you're doing quite well with your blades, and having less trouble getting started than the average new user. But if you have any questions, just ask!

Welcome aboard and that's for sharing the story of what got you here.

Welcome to SRP. I take my hat off to a man who shoots a Purdey shotgun.

Thanks guys,

fritz - the sole reason why I've had less trouble with my blades is thanks to SRP I've been browsing for the tricks.

JimmyHAD - yes, I'm big fan of Purdley and H & H, but unfortunately I'm not one owning one of those.

The fun with straight razors (besides the enjoyment of shaving with them) is that there's a ton to learn. And even though one cannot afford Purdley one perhaps could afford something compareable to shave with (e.g. damaskus blade).

Cheers,

T

welcome, i enjoyed that post

Originally Posted by Teutonix

quintippio-ones that'll cost 25€ per blade. And of course every time they'll put out a new model one has to buy new grip...

you must be in socialist europe, here in the land of the free market the new handles are free

Originally Posted by Teutonix

she bought me a set with strop, badger brush, soap, and the simplest Dovo straight as a birthday gift.

definitely a keeper - the lady that is, see if you can get a custom razor out of her, i bet it'll work

Originally Posted by Teutonix

one e-bay Eicker H. & Söhn Stosser Heartring I restored and latest addition you can find from the SRP database (John Shaw & Sons one I'm currently restoring).

nice razors

Originally Posted by Teutonix

Thanks guys,
The fun with straight razors (besides the enjoyment of shaving with them) is that there's a ton to learn.

ain't that the truth

Excellent read! Thanks...