About to take the plunge, advice/help wanted
Hi, I'm new to the forum, although I've been a wetshaver for years. After starting out with a Gillette DE in the 60's, I migrated through every shaving gadget to come down the pike, and the only part of my shaving routine that I enjoyed was the lathering. In the past year, I came back to De shaving, and now enjoy it immensely, look forward to shaving, and have gotten reasonably good at it. I can give myself a BBS shave with any of my 3 Merkurs: Future, Slant, HD Classic. I pick a different one each day, depending on how I feel. I use Feather blades, and have no difficulty whatsoever with their sharpness. I just keep a very light touch going.
Now--here's the thing: I have this recurring thought that I want to graduate to a straight razor, and I need some (your) advice before taking the plunge. My thoughts are tending toward the Feather DX, and here's why: I really don't believe that I can hone a razor well. The fact is I don't do that well with a knife, and cooking's my hobby, so I use electric sharpeners. That being said, I think I could really do a rotten job honing the razor, and I'm not even confident that I could strop it effectively. Yes--I know--most people learn how to do it, but I'm really lacking the confidence in my own ability. Anyway, that's why the Feather, and I think I can handle it's sharpness. The DX rather than the RG because I understand that it's just a tad heavier, so there's less inclination to bear down on the razor.
Now, if you really think that I'm not as incompetent as I think I am, what would you recommend for a good straight razor? I have my eyes on the Straight Razor Place Limited Edition sold at Classic Shaving. If I get that one, how often would I need to hone it. (and here I'm thinking that I would send it to Lynn periodically, but how often is that?) And what if I'm a really incompetent stropper? Again, I'm willing to admit that I could be wrong, and maybe I am trainable beyong what I imagine myself to be, but that's another issue to be decided upon when the blood starts flowing down my face.
Will, at Classic Shaving, says that in fact I will get a better shave with the Feather. He also says that they've just gotten the Feather Straight Handle razors in--not yet up on the web site.
So--that's my story and I'm sticking to it. And that's why I need the benefit of your advice and experience. Anyway, thanks for wading through this long post, and for any help you can offer.
Eric:)