Hey guys,
A few weeks ago I decided that I was really sick of buying Mach 3 cartridges and I remembered my friend once telling me about this amazing shave he had got with a straight razor in a barber shop. So, I began wondering about straight razor shaving and if it truly does give the closest possible shave. Initially, it was mostly just thinking and imaging how manly it would be to shave with a straight razor. After having spent the last few days scouring the internet and reading/watching a ridiculous amount about straight razor shaving--I was very surprised to find out how large a community there is for it--I have decided that I am definitely going to try it out.
I'm currently 21 years old and have been shaving for a long time. I have always grown a pretty thick beard. In early high school my friends always joked that I was the Gillette Man of the Year, chief reason being: didn't you just shave 5 minutes ago? Most disposable razors are 100% useless with my stubble. I have been using the Mach 3 for the past 4 years or so and can get a very close shave with it. Few passes with the grain, then a few against seems to get it quite smooth. The impossible areas are just under the jawline on either side of my face. No matter what, I cannot get those areas smooth.
I'm lazy, so I don't bother shaving everyday, at least I hadn't in the past. However, now that I have a girlfriend, I'm finding that in order to enjoy myself with her (I'll say no more), I have to shave daily. I honestly can't blame her for complaining if I don't because it really is like sandpaper the next day. In an effort to be economical I stretch those Mach 3 cartridges way too far as well, sometimes going a whole month on a single cartridge. Somehow I've figured out how to do that and not have a completely mutilated face. Nonetheless, practically every time I shave I get a few nicks that I just accept by now. Not to mention I've always used aerosol based shave creams, never tried soap with brushed on lather.
So, time for me try a straight razor for all the typical reasons! I think what I'm going to do, to avoid breaking my bank right off the bat is to buy one of the starter kits without a razor from thewellshavedgentleman.com and to get a properly honed, shave ready razor from one of the members here on the Buy/Sell/Trade forum ($0-$50) range. Anyway, sorry for the long post, just wanted to introduce myself properly. Any input/advice/comments/criticisms are welcome.

Scott