Thread: The Member Map

Many new members bring up the fact that it would be nice to find a senior member close to them to have a mentor. Normally someone chimes in with so and so is here and he is close, or this member is here and he is close. Well for a long time there has been a member map http://straightrazorpalace.com/vbgooglemapme.php
From the looks of it not many people have been using the map. Any member can and should post there location.

I messaged Bill S about posting about this and he thought like me, it is a great tool and always gets overlooked. I would imagine there are several members who don't even know we have it. Informing new members (and getting older members who don't know about it) to post there location would be great. It will allow a new member to look and see if there is anyone in their area to help or just bs about straights with.

So if you haven't already please go to the members map and post your location. Please spread the word to new and old members alike.

Great post.

For someone new to straight razors nothing flattens out the learning curve like spending a little time with someone who can provide some hands on mentoring. The Member Map is a good way to find out who is close by and might be willing to do just that.

I find it interesting just to see where everyone is and where there are concentrations of members. As sbrouwers points out, the Map is like anything else, it works best when everyone participates. Take a minute to look at it and, while you are there, go ahead and plant your flag.

Thanks Bill. Just a few numbers there are 31,422 members and only 951 of them listed on the members map!

I also like to look and just see where everyone is.

I just planted my flag... feels kinda lonely there.

Originally Posted by Snake

I just planted my flag... feels kinda lonely there.

I know how you feel. Only a handful in my whole state.

This should be a sticky in the Beginners section.

Originally Posted by milehiscott

This should be a sticky in the Beginners section.

it might be a good idea to add the importance of getting hands-on help to this sticky, noting how the member map can be a helpful tool toward getting it

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

it might be a good idea to add the importance of getting hands-on help to this sticky, noting how the member map can be a helpful tool toward getting it

Great Idea.

Hands on help is always better. Having someone with experience to help you with the basics is great. You can watch videos and read all day, but actually getting in there and doing it can be scary. There are several people who make very simple mistakes, wether it be stropping the razor the wrong direction, having a bad angle on the blade when shaving, not being able to get good lather, the list goes on. Having a senior member help or just walk you through the process can make a sometimes scary task a very pleasant and fun experience.

Almost every day there is a new post saying PLEASE HELP!!! Having a mentor close that can answer your questions and help you hands on could make all the difference in the world. Personally I have helped several people start shaving. I was always willing to help. Teaching them how to lather, strop, and shave. Helping with all the processes in pre and post shave. Everyone I helped (hands on) seemed to pick up the technique real quick with little or no problems. But if they did have a problem we would visit and work on what they were having trouble with.

The members map is a great place to find members close. It would be even better if we could get more members to post there location and refer new members to post there location as well. The community of members we have (I personally believe) are a really friendly and helpful group of people. Most are willing to help and if contacted would probably be willing to help hands on.

I did this when I joined not long ago. I was surprised to find three other members within 5 min walking distance!