The great experiment

[Haroldg48]

I thought I’d start a thread talking about my challenges and experiences over the last two plus years, and carry it on into 2016, hoping that somebody might recognize their own journey or a beginner might get a different view of what to do and what not to do. I am at about 700 or so SR shaves and I began with a razor I bought in the early 80s (because I always like sharp things) at a mall Hoffritz store. No coaching, no internet, maybe a little pamphlet and a 14 inch strop. It is a 5/8 full hollow and I got about 15 “shaves” before I gave up.


Enter 2013 and I find it in a gun safe, pull it out, search the internet and find SRP. Since June 2013, I’ve acquired and tried the usual new ones : 2 R. Austs, a Dovo, a Boker a Robert Williams, as well as 4 or 5 strops and too many soaps and creams to count easily, as well as a few brushes including one great custom from Pixelfixed. All the razors were fine or at least were ok, but only the Williams was close to great and I decided to go vintage. Got a great 5/8 from Gssixgun, but was starting to think I liked larger blades, and after commenting on the forum some, I aroused the interest of an SRP mentor, Sharptonn, who exposed me to a few big, different vintage blades to try. He has been very generous to me with his advice, assistance and support, as have all the mentors.


About a month or two ago, Sharptonn, I guess being tired of my whining and stalking of the “Butchered” thread suggested that he was going to send me a package, and lo and behold a “trial” sample of a 7 day rotation showed up, and I agreed to try each one to really learn and zero in on what I liked best. A picture (his picture) of what he sent me is below, and I have been shaving with the rotation for about 2 weeks. My plan is to relate my experience with each, in the hopes that somebody will learn from, or offer advice about my experiment, which I couldn’t have without SRP and especially Tom. My promise to Tom is that I won’t roll them up and leave the country with no forwarding address. Y’all (as we say in NC) may recognize some of them from his posts.


That's the introduction; tomorrow, I’ll start on the story about my experiences with each razor.


Hope you’ll follow and enjoy!