My new foray into the straight razor...
Hey, just wanted to say hi and introduce myself. My experience actually started with one of my employees that absolutely refused to shave. Always had several days growth. I convinced him to use a new Gillette Fusion Pro Glide, and he loved it. After the second time, however, he was disillusioned, and explained to me how he didn't get the same shave the second time, and that it was expensive. I couldn't argue with that and my wife and I are always looking to save money.
My employee informed me that he had started using the old-school safety razors and that it was the best shave ever. He even started shaving every day!!! I didn't want to ask him for one, so I waited. After a while, I finally told him to hook me up and he went and grabbed me a small 3-piece from like 1927. Shaved like a dream. Gave myself major razor burn, but that's what learning is about. Been using aloe vera gel, but my trumper's skin food will be here tomorrow. Still wasn't quite enough. So......
I decided to take the plunge and bought a complete Dovo carbon steel straight razor set with a good soap, upgraded to super silvertip brush, and got a bone-handled Dovo Bismark, all from vintagebladesllc.com. Really phenomenal craftsmanship all the way around. Came with the label "hand-honed and ready to shave by Lynn Abrams. No need to strop." Pretty damned impressive. Tomorrow will be my first attempt at straight-shaving. Most likely won't do much more than my dominant side, but as a professional chef I kinda feel like I'm more comfortable with the blade in my hand and want to do the whole face.
I wanna thank everybody for all their quality posts. I have been researching this for several weeks and feel that I have learned lots from all of you. Thank you again.