Beginners Tips: July 2012

[gssixgun]

This past month one thing has really jumped out at me, as I read though the posts on SRP

Why are there so many differing opinions with using Straight Razors ????

As a beginner to this Hobby it can be pretty overwhelming to get a simple answer to a simple question sometimes, and I am going to try and explain why.


The guy in the Mirror
His opinion is really the most important one, and the first question you have to ask yourself to honestly answer is why do you want to use a Straight Razor..

There are actually many factors here on SRP that influence that simple question so let's break it down a bit. Are you here because you are after the most comfortable shave possible, or perhaps the nostalgia of the process.. Perhaps you are here for the fact that unless you get hooked on collecting, this is method of shaving is much cheaper and environmentally friendly then disposables.
Perhaps you are here because of the allure of the edge itself, and love sharp things, or you have skin problems and have heard that a SR can help eliminate them..
They are a myriad of reasons that brought over 40,000 of us worldwide to this site, to discuss a simple chore that men have been doing for hundreds of years ..

Lets look at one of the first questions that a Newb guy asks and break it down a bit to explain why so many different answers will be given..

What razor should I buy??? simple enough right ???

Not really..

The guys that are here to save money, will point you toward the cheapest thing with an edge that can shave your face, usually with the line "Don't spend any more until you decide you like it".. Now to them this seems very logical.

The guy that is here to get a great shave, might point you toward a Vendor who sells a new SR that comes with free honing and perhaps an extra free honing later down the road because he sees the advantage of this..

The guy that loves the nostalgia and the hobby might point you toward e-bay, an SRP Vendor, or the SRP classifieds, for a vintage SR that has a history to it that he finds as the most appealing aspect...

All these guys are not wrong, they are just telling you their opinion, if it matches yours so much the better, but if not then your first experience with a SR very well could be your last...

This same theory applies to everything throughout our hobby

What strop should I get
What hone should I buy
I need a brush, which one works best
What soap/cream should I buy

Take any of these questions and run it through the "Why are you here" filter and you end up with a mass confusion of different opinions and answers..

When you are a beginner, try not to only read the recommendations, but also the reason that each person is giving for the recommendation, to see if it matches your reasons for getting into the hobby.. Although it can be a bit confusing you can navigate the minefield of opinions here on the site..
One of the best ways to do that is find a person who's opinion and reasons for being here seem to match yours and just follow their advice, you might even try sending that person a PM and ask their specific opinion.. Most all of the members here, are more then willing to help a new guy get started down the right path for them..


I hope that clarifies somewhat why there are so many different answers to the same questions, as always with these tips I encourage the Senior Members to add their thoughts and opinions to this thread...