Thread: Just wanted to say hi.

First post here. I have been checking out the place for a few days now. A lot of great knowlege to be had here for sure.

I will have a few questions in the coming weeks, but for now I wanted to create an account and introduce myself. Before I ask too many questions I want to do more reading first.

I guess I ended up here because I am sick of throwing away razors and cutting myself. The latest thing I have been using are some blue Gillette throwaways from Sams club. I bought a 40 pack sometime last year because I was sick of buying expensive Sensor blades. Prior to this I had recieved a free Shick Quattro in the mail. I liked it but those blades were like $3 a head!!

I have two electric razors. One because my father gave it to me when I started shaving, the other because it was too expensive to throw away. I switched to wet shaving several years ago due to the electric not getting close enough. I thought about breaking the bank and buying a really nice electric in hopes of it working, but figured I would not be happy anyway.

I have used up all but two of my cheap twin blade Sams club specials now. So I began a quest for something better. I sat in my lay-z-boy chair late one night sipping Glenfiddich, watching Deadwood (The show is like crack by the way, cant wait to rent the next DVD) when I wondered if anyone shaved with a straight razor anymore. I had contemplated it before but never checked it out. I wondered if anyone even made them anymore? So I checked out the net and ended up here after a few days of searching.

I guess the biggest things that appealed to me were that you are not constantly buying/throwing stuff away, and the fact that not many people do it anymore. Plus I love this quote "Absolutely nothing is more masculine than a shave tool that can take your head clean off".

I figured I was crazy and wondered if learning all the skills necessary would be worth it. From what I have read, it is. I had many doubts but after watching Lynn's video here I realized it is not magic and decided then that I would give it a try.

A big thanks for putting the video together Lynn!!!!

Now I just need to figure out what gear to get and where to get it

Welcome!

As for gear, I *highly* advise just calling Tony Miller up and ordering a full starter kit. He'll outfit you with everything you need to get started including a shave ready razor, strop, etc. I'd opt for the 4 sided pasted paddle strop. Tony's a standup guy and a pleasure to do business with.

Otherwise, you can't go wrong buying just a strop from him and some razors from the guys here. Joe just put a new list together of razors he's selling and I can personally vouch for the fact that his razors are in excellent shape, are very reasonably priced and are honed to perfection. Bill Ellis also sells great razors and several others offer shave ready razors (which you'll want).

-- Gary F.

Welcome to SRP!
As Gary already mentioned, getting a shave-ready razor from someone around here can not only save you money, but you will also get the real thing, ie a pre-approved shaving instrument. And if you don't like it, you can pretty much sell it for what you paid. So unlesss you have strong feelings about using a pre-owned razor, that's a good route to go.

Oh btw, if you try to cut somebody's head off with a straight, it will neither take it off, nor will it be clean (far from it... bloody mess I'd say).
So there you go, you'd be shaving with something that could give you deadly injuries while making a huge mess out of your bath room. I'm sure you're feeling better already...

Redwoood

Welcome to the forum!

The advice given thus far is great. All the folks mentioned are absolutely top-notch to deal with. Make sure to check out the stuff in the Files section as well.

Welcome Sec162. Lots of good advice has been dispensed already so I won't duplicate it other than to say Tony Miller's starter kits are a great way to get into straight razor shaving. Also, get yourself a nice used, shave ready razor from Bill Ellis, John Crowley, Joe Chandler or one of the other folks so you'll have a good benchmark to measure against when you decide to start honing your own razors. If you do some searches on this site, you'll no doubt find other folks that were in your same situation. Of course once you're hooked, the whole idea about saving money over disposables goes right out the window.

Ed

Welcome to SRP, this is the right place.

No question is a stupid one, so have a good troll through the threads first and then fire away.

Gary

Thanks for introducing yourself. What you're going through sounds exactly like what I was going through last spring (except I think I was watching Firefly), and I too will encourage you to stick around. We love to help and you'll get more opinions here than are good for you, but that way you'll also at least end up with the ones you need.

Tony really does have everything you could need to get started of the highest quality and best prices. Do not hesitate to look at his wares and dream about your setup. Bill is also a great resource for fantastically priced refurbished razors. I'm sure any of the Links are excellent, but I only speak from personal experience in this post and only because I'm too lazy (and wise) to go on about what I've only heard. There's also stuff in the User Gallery. I've got some Dubl Ducks I've been restoring. You can PM me if you're interested.

As well as the Links, definitely DO check out ALL the files located in the Help Files. The Barber texts are invaluable and the Permanent Archives are where we store the treasured wisdom of the ancients as it has come down to us. And don't be afraid to participate herre. That's what makes this place an awesome place to come back to. All the different levels of wonder and experience.

X

Welcome, This is "blabbermouth 2" you have already heard from Xman(blabbermouth 1) so I will try not to repeat You can also look on classicshaving.com for good shaving equipment. I will say though since you are just starting the folks that have been recommended to you are great. Tony's starter kit is also excellant. Enjoy the experience. There is nothing better than a shave with a straight nice and smooth and long lasting.

Originally Posted by Sec162

I guess I ended up here because I am sick of throwing away razors and cutting myself.

Make sure you're throwing them *away* from yourself. Throwing them towards yourself is a good way to get cut :-)

I'm also intrigued how the concepts of "straight razors" and "not getting cut" became associated in your mind -- most people that have never used one cringe at the thought of deliberately holding a knife to their neck.

Wow, thanks for all the advice! I am leaning towards one of Tonys Kits at this time. What do you all recommend, the hanging strop or the paddle? And I see his kits have a Boars hair brush, I understood that you should only get a Badger hair brush? Or should I eventually own both, and just upgrade later if I stick with it? I am going to have a look around town and see what I can find locally, but will probably just end up ordering a kit new.

mparker762, dont worry I don't think I could do much damage with those throwaways. I read/heard that once you get the technique down that when you do "cut" yourself it is more of a nick and generally stops bleeding soon. With a safety razor it tends to tear your skin and bleeds more? Don't know if it is true or not. Of course I realize you can do a major fubar on your face if not carefull. Since I almost always cut myself with safety razors I figured I don't have much to loose and much to gain.