2 weeks in, and the verdict is .....

I'm hooked!!!

ok, after 2 weeks, I'm now capable of WTG, takes a couple of passes, then XTG on the cheeks and sides of the chin, and ATG on my upper neck. The lower neck ATG is still off limits, and the curve doesn't let me XTG, so most of it is WTG only. My skill with the blade is increasing every shave. I haven't nicked myself since my first couple of shaves too!!

It takes me just over 40 minutes from prep to complete cleanup, with the razor dried, oiled and put up for the night. I shave at night so I can take my time and enjoy it.

it is still not BBS, but I'm sure as heck getting there. Oh, and Tend Skin is a miracle!!

I use a Boker King Cutter for my everyday shaver right now.

I've shipped off 2 more razors to be honed, and I'm working on a 4th, removing pits and stains on an old Worth Sheffield that looks like it will be a killer blade when finished.

I have another project waiting to get cleaned up and honed as well. My goal is a razor for every day of the week, so I don't have to worry about honing for a long time. I currently have 12, but most of them require many hours of sanding before I'll every use them.

I guess hooked doesn't really say it all does it. :)

Later mates!!

It sounds like your well on your way. I started straight shaving not too long ago as well and the bug has definitely bit me. I only have two razors so far but I already have a set of hones on the way so I can practice keeping the blades nice and sharp. Good luck with everything!

Glad you have succumbed and joined us in this madness. I have been shaving with a straight for four months and, like you, am "hooked." Since I am retired, I start each day with a leisurely shave.

I purposely searched to find a variety of razors, styles, and widths. My current collection includes:
USA: 8
Germany: 6
England: 2
France: 6
Sweden: 3

4/8: 3
9/16: 4
5/8: 9
11/16: 4
6/8: 5

I want to get a Filarmonica for Spain but have not found one in my price range. I will keep looking.

I love all 25 of my razors and all of them now provide credible shaves. At the moment, my top five favorite razors in order of preference are:
6/8 Thiers-Issard Le Grelot razor (Head and Shoulders above all my other razors)
6/8 Hart steel razor
6/8 Wade and Butcher "The Celebrated" razor
5/8 Geo. Wostenholm "Original Pipe Razor"
5/8 Boker "Extra Hollow Ground -Tree" razor

I really enjoy having the variety and use all 25 on a regular rotation. I tried really hard to find restored razors but buy low. While the TI Le Grelot and the Hart are my best shavers overall, the W&B, Pipe, and Boker are the smoothest shavers in my collection. At the end of the year, I will evaluate all my razors to see if any of them need to go. Ideally, I would like to wind up with two seven-day sets.

If you are inquisitive like me, you will find it hard to stop at one seven day-set.

Let us know how your razor restorations fare.

Happy Shaving!
;)

Hello and welcome! You know, I started with my Grandfathers blade, but didn't really know how to use it other than looking at it. I bought one from a vintage site on the net and got started. I told myself I needed a second one to practice sharpening and honing with so I bought a second one at an antique store. About then I noticed I needed a three day rotation, just in case I needed to send one off to be sharpened. After acquiring the third I wanted to get into restoration, again just to practice but about then I wanted to develop a 5 day rotation of blades. However, with the 5 day rotation, I needed a spare just in case I wanted to send one off to be sharpened. However, about then I wanted a 7 day rotation with a spare. I've only been at this for 5 months but have over a dozen shave ready blades...

Anyway, welcome to the board and happy shaving....

Fine strokes for fine folks...

Looks like it's Hammer time.

ROFL!!!!

It sure feels good to know your not alone... :)

'Big Grats, Hammer.

It only gets better from here. It'll be a year next month, and the fascination show no sign of letting up. 'Grats for choosing quality.

What a lot of familiar stories here! I too have a bunch of blades now, maybe 30 or 40, acquired out of the curiosity of how different ones shave and out of the desire to bring some neglected ones back to life. I have now figured out EXACTLY what I like, and will focus on building a 7-day collection of that.

FWIW, my HAD started later than my RAD but has easily kept pace in terms of $$. SAD runs at a low but nonzero level and BAD is out there too, barely reaching statistical significance but still a threat. StAD is in check.

It's a great hobby, engrossing, contemplative, and mostly harmless. Congrats on your good progress and welcome to the gang!