Evening all.

First post so be gentle with me.

I've been wanting a straight razor for some years now but, due to one reason or another, have never got round to getting one. On numerous occassions I had a Dovo Mammut sat in an online shopping basket, but never went any further.

The time for contemplating however is now done. Action is required. So to that end I have begun to do some more research - if I'm going to invest time and energy in a venture I like to do it properly!

That research led me here. And opened my eyes. What a wondeful thing I have discovered. I have no idea what I'm doing, but still!

However... My easy task of buy a razor and some accessories has been made so much more difficult by the sheer variety of products and services on offer. And wonderful information on this site. I had, as stated, always wanted the Dovo Mammut. Something about the 40000 yr old mammoth tusk just got me. Add in a Dovo strop, brush and away I go.

Except then I saw the range of TI razors... And things became less clear. What things of beauty! And such manly names! And how would a Dovo strop do after I saw the Neil Miller article, and his range of strops?

And then we have the vintage options. And what is a scuttle? Obviously I'll be needing something like that too...

So you can see, what started as a fairly straight forward journey to shaving perfection has become a lovely, complicated, evolving project. I like that. If things were easy they would be no fun.

Tonight (at work, unfortunately) I'm still perusing the various fora, and retailers, trying to decide what I want. Or rather what I need.

So far my experience has been utterly, overwhelmingly, positive - I contacted Jorrun at Fitjar a few days ago regarding buying some samples. Despite it being ten at night I had a response within minutes. I contacted Neil Miller to ask for some details on his strops and, again, had a response within minutes. And yesterday, after a couple of emails I made the first of my purchases - a Moss Scuttle & Lather Bowl from Sara Bonnyman. In Slate, to match the bathroom I've started redecorating to accomodate new new found obsession!

I've still to decide on a razor, or brush. I have ordered some cream samples from Trumpers though.

I've not shaved properly since 1st Movember when I grew a lovley Mo'. I then trimmed up with the clippers on 1st December and have grown a festive winter beard since. It's rather fetching. However it needs a trim. I'm loath do do it though as I want the thing taken off completely, with a straight razor, or not at all. Preferably by my own fair hand. Seeing as that might not be too prudent given my skills and the timescales involved I'm thinking of popping to a barbers to have it shorn. Although that will eat into my shave den fund. Yet more dilemma.

Back to the importatnt stuff... Being a massive tart I'm leaning towards buying a TI Oakwing G. Or Possibly a Dreadnought with Blue Box Elder scales. Or possibly a Le Grelot with Ram's Horn scales. Or possibly that Mammut... You get the idea. And a TI Large Silvertip Brush in Blond Horn...

Given what I've read it would be a mistake to buy something so nice as my first razor, but would I be able to learn with any of those? Would I really be being stupid to go for one of the above? That might be a rhetorical question. Or a potato.



Anyway, I feel I may be starting, just, to ramble. It's late and I'm bored. I just wanted to say hi.

I think I like it here