Thread: getting started

Hi guys! I joined this site about a week ago and looking forward to my first shave with a straight razor. I ordered a Dovo from The Well Shaved Gentleman. From what I read on here Tony comes highly recommended. I have to admit I am nervous about using a straight razor for the first time. I also purchased Lynn's dvd. Looking forward to learing from the dvd. I will post from my first shave with a straight in the near future.

Good Luck!!!

Take your time, relax and have fun.

Welcome aboard. I'm just warning you that once you're hooked, there's no going back

You've got all the right merchandise on the way so you shouldn't need to worry about any of that. Don't be nervous, just be attentive and keep breathing ... in with the good air ... out with the bad. Stay loose and you should be fine. Remember, the first rule is to know where all parts of that edge are at all times. I also say that the only time to have a straight razor open is to strop it, hone it or shave with it. My FIL cut one of his finger pads off a few weeks ago because he was rubbing down his strop with his palm while holding an open razor and the strop in his other hand at the same time. He may be too spooked to continue with straight shaving for a while. Keep focussed on the task at hand and prioritise properly because you will eventually pay for making silly mistakes. Your primary objective is not to get the best shave of your life out of the gate. It is to do yourself no harm. Keep all your ducks in a row, let the shaves land how they will and in no time you'll be hooked like the rest of us.

X

Same here, I found this site, and I'm addicted already... I don't even have a razor yet.

So that I enjoy the experience, I'm purchasing a shave ready razor from Josh Earl, a 4/8 Torrey & Co. I also purchased (4) razors on eBay, which Josh will attempt to sharpen for me. So, I'll have at least 2-3 for sure that should be good for shaving. I also plan on purchasing a stropping set from Tony Miller to get me started. They are shown below.

I have to say, I despise shaving in the morning now, as it is expensive and I get irritations. I am looking forward to waking and looking forward to a shave.

Anyway, take care & good luck all,
John

PS I've got Lynn's DVD on the way, and have watched his shaving video. Great stuff Lynn.


Herbert Robinson straight razor, made in Sheffield, $13.50 shipped
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...DME:B:EF:US:11
(everything I've read has pointed me towards Sheffield steel)



Taylor Brothers Hamilton IDEAL Straight Razor & Box, $20.50 shipped
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ADME:B:EF:US:2



New Masonic Straight Razor, $16 shipped
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...DME:B:EF:US:11



Vintage Hennessy's Hummer Straight Razor, $15.99 shipped
(this one interested me, as it's from a company in Lowell, MA, which is only about an hour from me)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...DME:B:EF:US:11