Hello everyone, I'm a newbie who has just joined SRP. What a wealth of information. I have had some interest in straight razors for a while and have been watching them on Ebay.. I didn't know one from another. I sure didn't know which one to buy. I had found a video on Youtube by Lynn on how to shave and I've been hooked ever since. The information I walked away with that stuck was, "get a shave ready razor". I have been seeking one since and have recently purchased a great razor from Bob Keyes, one of SRP's members. He has been very helpful and I can't thank him enough for all his help and advice. Ebay said "ask seller a question", so I emailed him and the rest is history. He was more than just a little bit helpful. He helped me find a straight razor and a strop at a reasonable price suitable for a begginer. His first advice was to get Lynn's DVD.. He then turned me onto a number of sites, this one at the top of the list!

I'm anxious to get my purchases and start mastering the art of shaving with a straight razor. I have been advised to first practice with my strop and a butter knife, maybe even for a couple of days until I really feel comfortable so as not to damage my new strop before I get started. I'll watch the DVD a few times and then give it a try.

Wish me luck.

I found 2 razors at an antique mall here in Albuquerque today. Both seemed in pretty good shape, no nicks, or chips and very little rust. One marked Original Pipe razor on the handle. It was quite heavy and sturdy. The other was a dubl duck satinedge with a nice handle with 2 ducks on one side and the word satinedge on the other out of some kind of metal. The tang had pearledge I think on it. It had a clear handle and was a lot lighter. I don't know enough to evaluate a razors potential yet, but for 12.50 I figured I couldn't get hurt too bad. They are having a 50 to 70 percent holiday sale this weekend. It was fun just wondering how nice it might look restored.

Thanks everyone for the helpful post and videos.

Maq