A 65 year old newbie

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10-31-2011, 08:08 PM
sandiegofred

A 65 year old newbie

After 65 years I decided to dive in and give shaving with a straight razor a try. I purchased my first straight razor at Imperial Shave, Medina, OH. Being a novice, I depended on the advice of the proprietor, Dan Addleman.

I left the shop with a Dovo razor, a Straight Razor Designs strop, a badger brush, a mug, soap, and a Lynn Abrams DVD.

I went online and discovered a wealth of information about shaving, honing, stropping, etc..At first I thought, what did I get into here! There is a lot to learn.

I shaved for the first time today (with the straight razor) followed the instructions on the DVD and had a good first experience. I shaved with just my right hand, contrary to what the DVD said. I felt more confident with the right (dominant) hand than trying both hands. I'm sure I'll try the left hand one of these days.

The result was very good. A smoother shave than I expected. I know there is a learning curve on all of this, so I'll be taking it one day at a time.
10-31-2011, 08:15 PM
DLB

Congratulations!

I am 68 and started using a straight ten months ago. It's a great experience. I hope you have as much fun as I am having.

Best Wishes and Happy Shaving!
;)
10-31-2011, 08:32 PM
Servant4Christ

Congrats!

Just stick with it and you'll have your own technique down in no time!

Joshua
10-31-2011, 08:38 PM
sandiegofred

Thanks Josh. Just like learning anything new. it takes time. I'm enthused.
10-31-2011, 09:10 PM
samda

Welcome, Just remember to enjoy the "me" time with your razor and it will soon be like an old friend. You're never to old to enjoy a great shave.
10-31-2011, 09:15 PM
dave5225

Better late , than never . I started when I was 52 . It'll be 5 yrs. , come April . I threw away my Mach 3 about 2 months after I started . I shaved with only my dominant hand at first too , but it wasn't long before I was using both hands .
10-31-2011, 09:16 PM
sandiegofred

Samda, Thanks for your comments.
10-31-2011, 09:18 PM
sandiegofred

Thanks DLB
10-31-2011, 09:19 PM
oscarbowman

Congrats young man!!

Old dogs, new tricks, etc?? Ah what do these younguns know?

Welcome aboard.

Oscar.
10-31-2011, 11:18 PM
Omega1975

Never to old! Glad you've joined the club. Its verry rewarding and there lots of great people on here to help you as you go. Enjoy the ride & good Shaving Sir!
10-31-2011, 11:32 PM
Obie

Hello, sandiegofred,
A number of us wear a few extra stars on our brush handle, so you are in good company. Welcome to Straight Razor Place.
11-01-2011, 12:52 AM
jbtusa

I too recommend learning both hands. There are places on the right side of my face and neck that I can only get to by using my left hand to hold the razor. Pretty soon the left hand will feel just as confident as the dominant right.
11-01-2011, 07:12 AM
Havachat45

Welcome to SRP, sandiegofred.
Glad to have you on board.
Hang on and enjoy the ride
11-01-2011, 02:02 PM
bbtech

I'm 63 and have been at this about 2 years. I learn something new all the time. Enjoy the razor and the forum.
11-01-2011, 03:45 PM
sandiegofred

Thank you all for your comments. Very much appreciated.
11-02-2011, 03:44 PM
datablanck

Old guys rule....I guess I can say that since tomorrow I'm celebrating my 64th year. I too have taken the plunge about 10 weeks ago and immediately went with my non dominant hand. It was actually very easy. Now my "shave den" which is actually a sink and counter is quicly filling with all the accoutrements such as pre shave oils, brushes, creams, strops hanging from door knobs, razors and what not. I look forward to that time of day or night that I devote to the "shave". What was previously a chore is now a relaxing experience. In fact I'm enjoying the whole package including the honing. We should enoy it while we are young.....
11-02-2011, 04:31 PM
johna2231

Welcome to the adventure! You're gonna have a lot of fun. I'm a newb too, but let me know if I can answer any of the basic questions for you. You've found a great place and a great hobby.

John
11-02-2011, 07:01 PM
pritesh

Welcome!

I too i'm new to all this. I started few weeks ago and since then never used the modern razor. I had a few shaved with my dominant hand but have now started using both hands. Well worth using both hands. Most of all enjoy!
11-02-2011, 07:52 PM
kalerolf

Congratulations!
it's fun, so I persuaded my older brother, he is also 65
Never too old to learn new things!
Your first shave was smooth, wait until your technique is better than you have a super smooth shave.

have fun
11-02-2011, 09:31 PM
sandiegofred

Datablanck,

Thanks for the comments. I'm also starting to collect a variety of shaving accoutrements. It's been fun already and I'm just getting started..
11-02-2011, 09:32 PM
sandiegofred

Thanks kalerolf.
11-05-2011, 09:10 PM
kalerolf

you're welcome
11-06-2011, 06:52 PM
marcoterzo

A BLAST, isn't it?! Boy, are you in for some fun!
11-09-2011, 02:58 AM
mjhammer

Hey, us old guys just took a little longer to catch on to the funner aspects of the 'shave'. hehehe. I'm in my mid 50's and have only been doing straight razors for about 9 months now. I'm a dive right in kinda guy, God bless my wife, and also have taken over the bathroom counter with goodies. Right now I'm heavily into collecting Shave creams of all types and kinds. Talk about fun!!

ANyway, congrats on a great first shave, welcome to the boards, and ask away, cuz we all done it at least once now. Oh, and watch out for cutting your strop. Go slow and get the technique of stropping down pat. That's as important as the technique of shaving!!

All the best buddy,

Mike
11-09-2011, 05:52 AM
midloth72

Hello Fred and welcome !

Never too late to try something new ( actually new to you but an old
way of shaving ! ) . Only been shaving with a cutthroat , since May
and can now get regularly decent shaves ! Take it slow and
enjoy the process . Really pay attention to your stropping ,
I found that more than anything , the hardest to master.
x-strokes made a huge difference on my stropping .

If you have any doubts or questions , just ask and any of the
fine blokes here will help you out !

Happy shaving !

Cheers,

Scott

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandiegofred

After 65 years I decided to dive in and give shaving with a straight razor a try. I purchased my first straight razor at Imperial Shave, Medina, OH. Being a novice, I depended on the advice of the proprietor, Dan Addleman.

I left the shop with a Dovo razor, a Straight Razor Designs strop, a badger brush, a mug, soap, and a Lynn Abrams DVD.

I went online and discovered a wealth of information about shaving, honing, stropping, etc..At first I thought, what did I get into here! There is a lot to learn.

I shaved for the first time today (with the straight razor) followed the instructions on the DVD and had a good first experience. I shaved with just my right hand, contrary to what the DVD said. I felt more confident with the right (dominant) hand than trying both hands. I'm sure I'll try the left hand one of these days.

The result was very good. A smoother shave than I expected. I know there is a learning curve on all of this, so I'll be taking it one day at a time.