Hi all,

This is my first post here after being bitten by the straight shaving bug a few weeks ago. I must admit it has been something that I have wanted to do for some time and have been putting it off due to the fact that I didn't have comprehensive information to hand .. well not until I came across Lynn's straight razor demo on Google which led me here. So thanks Lynn!

A week or so ago I ordered a honed Walter Eigenbrod from John Crowley (very happy with the goods and service by the way), who put the razor in ship-shape for me, as well as an heirloom strop.

I also spent *cough* a bit more than I should have done on other products including Trumpers Coral Skin Food, plus their Sandalwood and Limes creams. I am guessing that these are the first stages of what you refer to as RAD ?

I won't mention what I ordered today just yet either

Although I didn't shave with the straight today, I did have a play at lathering up using Joel's guides found elsewhere on this site and I have to say that I found the guides very useful so thanks to Joel, cheers! It is surprising how something that seems so relatively simple can be so hard to do properly when it comes right down to it.

It took me 4 attempts to get anything approaching a half decent lather but the final one was reasonable I think and I am sure I still have a long way to go. Still, patience makes perfect as they say.

I'd like to express my gratitude to the people who have shared their information so openly on SRP, I have learned so much over the last few weeks, without this information I doubt that I would have come this far, so thanks to you all.

I look forward to spending time here and learning more about the art of straight shaving and its associated subjects from the many knowledgable people on the forums and hope that I will be able to contribute in some way in the future.

Best wishes to all.

Steve.