New razor -- Great shave thanks to the Forum and SRD
I wanted to post and echo the advice that so many have given on this forum that a professionally honed razor makes all the difference in the world. I had my first ever SR shave where the razor just felt right and did its job. I'm still learning and only do sideburns down (adding some new territory every shave), but today my new Ralf Aust 5/8" Black razor arrived from Straight Razor Designs, honed to perfection by Lynn, Don or one of their proteges and it was amazing. Kudos to them for delivering a great, ready to shave razor within 3 business days of my ordering it.
I had previously picked up my 31 year old Hoffritz which I last touched 30 years ago, stropped it and began my adventure. Of course 30 years ago great sites like this one didn't exist, and the first thing I discovered was I probably had dulled it with poor stropping technique, and it pulled like crazy. Now that I have learned some basics, AND have a great new razor, it will be going in the mail to be made shave ready by the masters.
I can't say how excited I am to finally have the experience I've been looking for. I will be very careful with the stropping!!
