Quote Originally Posted by Alembic View Post
Thanks Robin, possibly I was the one getting defensive and misinterpreted your response. So I appologize in return.
Actually, I think you are perfectly right in having interpreted the response as defensive, and I still think that they are rather rudely dismissive. And yes, I know I'm one of the ones that supported the idea and I realize some will see me as being defensive. I cannot help those that interpret my words one way or the other. But this thread, in just a few responses, has revealed something significant about the opinions of some forum moderators about how "beginners" should go about learning from those with more experience.

Basically, this is an RTFM forum. No, it's not possible to make people read the wiki, but just because a wiki is there doesn't mean that every single last sentence in it makes sense. There are acronyms everywhere, for instance, and one has to jump over to the acronym section to figure them out. There are references in the one other thread I have posted in (and yes, I am a newbie, so flame me for that if anyone wishes) where I was getting terms like coticule and barber's hone, etc. I googled them, I looked in the wiki, and got more confused about what would be a good hone to have just around for the once-in-a-while sharpening vs. sending out. The wiki is very useful, but goes back and forth between "this might be good, but might not, and some people like it, but others find it too tough."

But what is too tough? Do I get the .5 micron diamond spray or not? The response, perhaps, is to once again go and RTFM.

I understand that the SRP site is and needs to remain vendor independent.
IMO, this doesn't hold water in this context. Vendor independent, yes. Recommendations of perhaps several models from several vendors for specific razor would be fine, I think. I go to the forum and read that about 5 different razors are good "starter" ones. But if they are all good...why did someone pick one over the other? I go read some more about each one. Read some reviews. They all indicate that...again, they are all good. So...just buy the cheapest?

I now wonder if that question - "if they are all 'good,' should I just buy the cheapest of them?" would be acceptable on the forum.

I realize that with this post I have effectively ostracized myself from this group and I will now just lurk and not ask any questions. I am sure that with enough reading I can eventually find the answers I need. I just want a closer shave. For that, I'll go RTFM.

thanks.
k.