Hello everyone,

I've been lurking the site for a month or so, soaking up all the knowledge I could, and today, I finally feel like a real member of this fine group of gentlemen! I'd toyed with the idea of going straight for a few years, but never quite knew where to start until I found this forum. I went right out and got myself a shavette and some disposable blades and have proceeded to tear my face up for the last month or so with that while researching a real razor here. I know diving in headfirst is usually advised against, but I think the steep learning curve with that little bugger has helped, and I'd even made some significant progress with at least reducing the nicks and burn.

Well all that changed today for sure! Yesterday afternoon, the mail man quenched my week's anticipation, delivering my Dovo 5/8 from SRD- the real thing at last! So I just came downstairs after my first "real" SR shave and the results after one WTG pass and a halting XTG are... not too shabby! Minor to moderate irritation in a few spots, and I did have to touch up a few rough spots with my Mach 562 but, for the first time since I started this journey... not one drop of blood! A real blade is definitely more forgiving, if nothing else.

It may not have been perfect, but it was a damn sight better than I'd expected, and I love the experience, razor burn and all! The feeling of connection with your past, of being patient and careful with a difficult skill, of taking a few minutes a day for self-improvement and self-reflection, feeling a bit more of a real man... incredible! It was outstanding and I credit everyone here for all the knowledge I've gleaned over the last few weeks for making it go as smoothly as it did! I'm excited to continue this journey and master this skill- I'm sure with plenty more help from all of you fine folks along the way!

So thank you all once again, I'm proud to finally become a real member of a group like this one! Now off to master my sloppy stropping in preperation for a slightly better shave tomorrow! Cheers!