Fresh Meat, Ready for Slicing
Hey everybody! :D
I just located this fine site, and I've been looking over the vast amounts of material and resources it contains, feeling a little overwhelmed. So I figured that while I'm checking it out, I might as well introduce myself.
I'm new to the straight razor game, but eager to start playing. I don't have any materials yet, of course, because I've only just begun to read up on what's out there, and I would feel dumb if I just dove in and bought something the rest of you might scoff at. But what did peak my interest were a few straight razors I saw in a knife store yesterday (I actually went in to look at Henckel Chef's knives). I had been sort of interested in straight razor shaving already, but it wasn't until I saw a few that were brand new that I thought, "Hey, this is actually a possibility for me!" Heh.
I watched the home video of Mr. Lynn shaving, and kind of held my hands to my throat and face the whole time. More suspenseful than Hitchcock! I'm a little timid, you see, and I'm sure that's not an uncommon reaction. I mean... it's a razor and you drag it over your throat! But it was a very helpful demonstration, though! Now I have a general understanding of what to do.
What appeals to me about this manner of grooming is how classic it is. I collect antiques as much as I can (I'm only 22), and I've seen a lot of blades in shops; most of them out of commission due to rust. (Or perhaps not, I don't know.) It's neat to think that before some dude came along and said, "Guys, now you won't have to worry about cuts anymore - I call it a 'safety razor'!" everyone who removed unwanted hair from their face did it with an instrument that could also slice it right off - That's hardcore!
I'm trading in my Gillette Twin-blade for a more efficient weapon. I want to shave like a cowboy by the campfire; a mobster in some dank hideout; a Romantic poet dying of TB! Yeah, man! Where do I sign up?
Okay, that was stupid. I'm sorry.
I'm just going to assume the role of a student, shut my mouth and ask you experts to guide me, if you don't mind. Where do I begin? Where do I go? What do I need?
Okay, great. Thanks! 8)
Re: Fresh Meat, Ready for Slicing
[quote="Blade Wielder"]Hey everybody! :D
I just located this fine site, and I've been looking over the vast amounts of material and resources it contains, feeling a little overwhelmed.
[snip]
I watched the home video of Mr. Lynn shaving, and kind of held my hands to my throat and face the whole time. More suspenseful than Hitchcock! I'm a little timid, you see, and I'm sure that's not an uncommon reaction. I mean... it's a razor and you drag it over your throat!
******>>> WELCOME!! Yup, anything new can seem overwhelming, especially an Art that has been around for centuries to collect information! Do not worry - you will sort out the basic information in a short time here, and become another rabid enthusiast!
Slicing? Nah.....a straight razoer is really a "push cutter". It won't slice unless you a) move your face or the blade horizontally to each other, or b) get the sucker TOO sharp, so that it catches every little facial bump it encounters. Generally, after a shor learning curve, the nicks and small cuts rarely happen, and most disappear with just cold water!
It must be doable ....we all do it here without slicing ourselves to ribbons!
Best -