Thread: Tutored By Joed and CarriedM

I was able to get together with Joed and CarrieM last evening at their home. I was greeted first by two gorgeous labs and then by Carrie and Joed. First, let me say they treated me most graciously and their hospitality was beyond reproach. Thank you both. The admonition to get help from experienced shavers is understated to say the least. The enthusiasm they showed for a newbie was incredible. I received far more information in 3 hours than I could have picked up in months or perhaps a year without this site and these wonderful people.

I was treated to old vs restored razors. Where to look for razors. How to properly strop. I had a small dent in my blade from my first use. Joed proceed to astound me as he honed and removed the dent, the finished the honing process to a final stropping.

I was introduced to a world of colognes and old world smells at prices I could afford. Carrie's shave cremes are a dizzying array of scents. They produce excellent lather. She gave me 8 small samples to try. This is only the tip of the iceberg of her shave soaps. She also makes bath soaps. I got two. She has so many you really need to sample them to figure out what you want. You will not be disappointed.

Finally I got to watch Joed demo a shave for me and then it was my turn. It really helps to have an experienced shaver coaching you as you go. By the way, Joed and CarrieM are a real team. I'm quite sure she could save you as expertly as Joed. I had to laugh to myself as I watched them interact with me. A well oiled machine, that pair.

Any way it was an experience I will not forget. I gained two new friends and have been invited to attend some of the local shaving fraternity get togethers. You can bet I will be there. Let me say it one more time for all the newbies like myself. If you can find a mentor and they will take you on don't hesitate to accept. YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!! Finally to the dog's: I'LL BE BACK!

_Larry

I wish I could be tutored like that

Glad you had a good one and thanks for sharing your experience!

I've gotten to know Carrie and Joe better since becoming a Mod and they really are both wonderful people, and very generous with what they know.

You are a lucky man. Paying a visit to Joe and Carrie must be like seeing the Razor Clubs and Straight Razor Database all rolled into one. One of the finest collections of straights on the planet. Great folks, no doubt about it.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

You are a lucky man. Paying a visit to Joe and Carrie must be like seeing the Razor Clubs and Straight Razor Database all rolled into one. One of the finest collections of straights on the planet. Great folks, no doubt about it.

I must admit it was overwhelming at times. However, Joe and Carrie never missed a teaching moment. Always slowing down when I needed it so I could absorb what they were telling me. The biggest thing I took away was if you are patient and care to develop the skills you can find some tremendous razor bargains out there that with some work can be restored to show piece condition. Joeds collection is proof of that. Just a great time I had.

_Larry

That is awesome Larry. The teamwork between these two is amazing...I have not had the pleasure of meeting either of them, but have done so by PM and email...I must say that they are equally gracious and kind "virtually" as well. I hope that in the near future, I will have the distinct pleasure of meeting them as well.

I agree with you...being coached "in person" is far more valuable (and exponentially faster) than reading about it and trying it out for size on your own. So Kudos my friend. That is a great thing you did...and my hat's off to CarrieM and JoeD for taking the time to coach you . This is why SRP is such an awesome place...it's all about the people.

I am very jealous of you for having met them. On my list of people to spend a day with is included this great couple who have helped me on many occasions. I especially appreciate how CarrieM has helped my wife Nanna through her str8 experience.
I also greatly appreciate her shaving cream as well as the bath soap. I know as money gets less tight I will be making an exceptional order. I have to admit that the lime bath soap has become a personal favorite of mine.
It never ceases to amaze me the level of help offered by the people on this forum.

-G

Thank you all for your kind words. We enjoy assisting people with straight shaving as much, if not more than the people we meet. The learning never ends for us and we are always happy to pass along what we have learned from others. We have developed some great friendships as a result of our one on one meetings as well as our group meets and are always looking forward to making new friends. Special thanks to Lynn and all the SRP staff and members for making this all possible.

Originally Posted by lfloyd

I was able to get together with Joed and CarrieM last evening at their home. I was greeted first by two gorgeous labs and then by Carrie and Joed. First, let me say they treated me most graciously and their hospitality was beyond reproach. Thank you both. The admonition to get help from experienced shavers is understated to say the least. The enthusiasm they showed for a newbie was incredible. I received far more information in 3 hours than I could have picked up in months or perhaps a year without this site and these wonderful people.

I was treated to old vs restored razors. Where to look for razors. How to properly strop. I had a small dent in my blade from my first use. Joed proceed to astound me as he honed and removed the dent, the finished the honing process to a final stropping.

I was introduced to a world of colognes and old world smells at prices I could afford. Carrie's shave cremes are a dizzying array of scents. They produce excellent lather. She gave me 8 small samples to try. This is only the tip of the iceberg of her shave soaps. She also makes bath soaps. I got two. She has so many you really need to sample them to figure out what you want. You will not be disappointed.

Finally I got to watch Joed demo a shave for me and then it was my turn. It really helps to have an experienced shaver coaching you as you go. By the way, Joed and CarrieM are a real team. I'm quite sure she could save you as expertly as Joed. I had to laugh to myself as I watched them interact with me. A well oiled machine, that pair.

Any way it was an experience I will not forget. I gained two new friends and have been invited to attend some of the local shaving fraternity get togethers. You can bet I will be there. Let me say it one more time for all the newbies like myself. If you can find a mentor and they will take you on don't hesitate to accept. YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!! Finally to the dog's: I'LL BE BACK!

_Larry

How do we get on that bandwagon? I'm so jealous!

Originally Posted by Stubear

Glad you had a good one and thanks for sharing your experience!

I've gotten to know Carrie and Joe better since becoming a Mod and they really are both wonderful people, and very generous with what they know.

+1K, they rock.