A Beginner's Journey

Hello there from Northeastern PA!

I have been thinking about getting into SR shaving for quite some time now...maybe a year or more, and to be honest, everyone has told me "you're out of your mind, you're going to kill yourself." And I would respond "I'm not going to shave like this ::cutting wood motion across my face::." Anyway, I have not yet purchased the razor or strop as funds are somewhat scarce around now. What I did do was lurk around here for a while, looking at all of the soap/cream reviews as well as brushes. I've also been doing a lot of reading on the FAQ part of this just to see what I am getting into.

So at the beginning of the week, in an effort to take things slow, I decided to get a brush and some soap to try out the lathering process before I get into the razor itself. The way I see it, if I don't like the effort to do the lather (which I highly doubt that will be the case) then I am not in the hole that much more on the razor and other accoutraments. I ordered the Simpson Commodore X3 from West Coast shaving and 3 different soaps from mamma bears soaps. I hope all will arrive on friday so I can start the fun, I will post pictures when things arrive and keep you guys apprised of my progress. As a slight caveat, I then noticed the "cut of the day" thread and began to get kind of nervous. I thought "man I really don't want to have a face full of scars from this" but then realised that there are a lot of people out there that cut themselves and don't result in scars. Almost like cutting yourself with a cartridge razor, so we shall see I suppose. Of course I know you are all very helpful individuals and all comments and suggestions are welcome. I am sure I will be seeing you around here soon.

Glad to have you here. I know that feeling of lurking around, i too lurked around since last year began, waiting for my wallet to mount up so i can make my purchase. Luckily i was gifted a straight in october and later in november i came accross srp and joined it. Lots of kind and helpful gentlemen here with countless tips to help you throughout your journey. May i ask though, have you any considerations of a first razor? Budget is actually not a problem. The generosity of the folks here at the classfields and larry at whippeddog.com allow everyone to purchase a straightrazor/kit in a very affordable range. Good razors that hold an edge, that is worth every penny. And dont worry about the cuts, everyone cuts themselves once in a while and it heals within a day or two. I hope you find your way and wish you best of luck.
Happy shaving!
Hal.

Hey, welcome to the forum. Looks like you are taking a sensible approach to getting into straight shaving. It all takes practice from lathering to actually shaving and stropping/maintaining your razor. Take your time, go slow and never get too overconfident. I have to say that I have cut myself worse with a straight than I ever did with a DE or disposable razor. But it was not bad at all in the sense that it left no scars. Along that vein of thought you might not want to get a blade with a spike point as your first blade. A spike can bite and that is just one more thing to watch out for when you are starting out. Anyway I am sure you will do fine in the long run and if there is anything you need help with just ask here. Have fun.

Bob

Gentlemen, thank you for the responses thus far. I have thought about a more economical razor as a starter, but the problem with me is I get attracted to shiny things really quickly. I have my sights set pretty hard on the Dovo 5/8 with the mother of pearl scales. It is gold etched and just a really sharp looking razor....no pun intended :rofl2:

I surely will not go for a spiked razor at this point. I particularly like the dovo because of the rounded end. My reading and watching videos has told me that the rounded point is easier for beginners to learn as it helps with the manueverability of the blade. Need to be patient with this stuff of course. Honestly, I think it will be a great time once I get fully involved, mostly because a day can be so busy that you just need some time to relax and have some time for yourself undisturbed by the goings on of life.

Thanks gents and look forward to more conversation.

Straight razors are capable of much more impressive cuts than those silly cartridges.

Hal, I appreciate the helpful information. I also noticed the bismark, but there is something about it that just isn't as appealing to me as the pearlx/mother of pearl one, I don't know what it is. I will definitely be searching for that thread in a little bit here though. I have pretty much reserved myself after all of the reading that the one I will get will be from SRD, I don't want to have to worry about honing it as soon as it arrives and I would rather not pay for it from one place just to spend more to send it out to get professionally honed as soon as it arrives, somewhat defeat the purpose in my mind as money is tight as mentioned above. I am definitely excited to do it, so much so that I was thinking about just getting the one with the black scales and a strop that would total the cost of the gold washed one, but I don't know, I have to decide that yet. But again, thanks for your help on an available path to take.

Ace, I have become aware of the ability of a close shave compared to the cartridges as I received a really good one some time ago, thereby sparking my interest in getting into it. The cartridge razors have worked thus far, but as of late I have been getting torn up pretty good with razor burn, even with new cartridges, not every shave or anything, but more than enough to make me notice. Maybe my skin is getting sensative, who knows.

Thanks again folks, loving the responses!

Ahan, i know that feeling. I too figured just recently that i liked pearlex more because i am more drawn towards 5/8 s. But it seems srd was out of stock so i decided to go for the diamant, inox, bismarck, blackstar, any one of these but they are all currently out of stock, so are all the bokers except one which srd recently stocked up on. Now i have broken free of these desire to acquire any of those and am on the lookout for a nice vintage boker and sheffield wedges as i have heard much good of the wedges (and bokers alike). Anyways, you can take a look at thesuperiorshave.com too, very good store and the owner as usual, is also very helpful with questions and it seems they are good on stock at the moment. Goodluck and happy shaving!
Hal.