6 months in, or It's great to have my shave den back with pics

[mkevenson]

Around the first of December 08 I got my first str8 razor. I had purchased Lynn's DVD and had been on this forum and B&B for a couple months. I started with DE razors in October and was quickly immersed into the word of wet shaving. So this is my 6 month report.

My first str8 was a Double Arrow, expertly honed by RupRazor. My second, a Dovo honed by Lynn. So I started out with sharp blades. Of course my technique was not as sharp. My first and only strop a 3" Latigo from Tony Miller. I purchased a silver tip badger brush from Muhle, a best badger, another best badger from B&B (my fave) , was given 3 boar brushes. I make my lather in a Georgetown scuttle. Use both creams and soaps, but lean a little towards the creams, but do ok with the soaps.

Starting out I was getting LOUSY shaves and lots a cuts. I used my DE to do my chin for about the first month I guess. Gradually I started doing my whole face with the str8 about 3-4 out of 7 days each week. For the past 2 months I would say that I use the str8 6-7 days per week. I still take the DE on out of town trips. I still get nicks but haven't had to use the styptic for a long time.

Don't really know why I'm tellin you all this except maybe for encouragement to thos who are just starting and still new enough to "not be sure" whether they want to continue. I would encourage all to stick with it. The str8 shave is getting better for me all the time. Oh ya, it does take time. Read some of the threads and you will learn that the basics can be learned in a year or 2 but the mastery comes later. I love the journey and CAN wait.

Oh, I also have learned to hone my razors. The first 2 were honed by masters, every other razor that I have has been honed by me. I have done major blade repair with the helpful advice of the honemeisters and generous members here and at B&B. I use a Dia-Sharp DMT-D6e 1200 xtra fine for bevel setting, a Norton 4/8k combo, Chinese 12k, and have a Belgian Coticule that I haven't figured out yet. I also use balsa strops with Diamond .5 and chrome ox .5.

Well thats about it. So here are the pics of my den (which I have not been able to use for 3 months, we had a house guest.) I'm sure glad I got it back and so is the wife cause I moved out of her B room. The razors are what I have kept and are all SR and in my 8 day rotation. I have had several more but have either given them away to new members or sold.












THE RAZORS ARE: ON RIGHT FROM TOP TO BOTTOM: J.R.Torrey 5/8,baber notch 1/4 grind. Tennis Fur Zarte Haut 11/16 round point full hollow. Jonathan Crooks barber notch 11/16 1/4 gnd. Wade and Butcher 5/8 barber notch 1/4 gnd.

RAZORS ON THE LEFT top to bottom: Case Red Imp #132 5/8 spike point 1/4 gnd. Friodur Inox J.A. Henkles #171/2 7/8 (after blade repair) round pnt full hollow. Duble Duck special #1 Pearl Duck 5/8 spike pnt hollow gnd. Doble Arrow 7/8 full hollow.