Thread: Another satisfied newbie!!

You guys are probably sick of hearing this, but I'm going to say it anyways! Thank you for the wonderful advice, information, and patience that you always display on these forums. What a great site! I'm one of those "guests" that Lynn refers to in his New Years greeting. I've been reading just about everything here for months! I just didn't have much to add or say - but now 'tis time to register and introcuce myself!

I've been interested in a different shave for about six months. It began with expense - I just have such a hard time paying 1-2 bucks for one disposable blade that lasts at the most three shaves. I saw DE cartridges in CVS for a very cheap price and said to myself, "I want a razor that takes those!" However, I never took the "safety plunge."

Then, about 3 months ago, my dad was in town and I told him I wanted to start using a straight razor - no blades to buy. He was impressed - and sent me his grandfather's (my great-grandfather) J.R. Torrey just for "display." That got me going on the information searches, and consequently led me to this site!

Now, I have a new Dovo Reniassance that my lovely wife gave to me for Christmas. I have a Norton on order to finally try my skills at everything I've read about with the hone. I know it's entirely different, but I've been honing jack knives for a while now, so perhaps that experience may help a little.

I got the new Dovo to shave by stropping about 20-30 times on a plain leather hanging strop. Wow - I can honestly say that my face has never felt better after a shave, and it's really not as sharp as it needs to be. It shaves, mind you - about as close as an electric. But what a feeling!! I haven't made any major mistakes yet (no blood!), but the razor definitely demands a new level of respect and concentration. I look forward to the honed edge to take this to the next level.

I really don't have any questions yet - I've literally read all of your posts through the Archive and love the site. I know that I can send my Dovo to one of many Honemeisters here, but to be honest, I really want to do this myself! If I get it so bad that it won't cut butter, I may be interested in having someone come in and bail me out.

Thanks again to everyone, Happy New Year, and most important - Happy Shaving!

Tim

Welcome, a near shave ready Dovo! One of mine came that way too, its cool. I think you'll do great after doing the reading, from there its really only a matter of patience. I'm just across the Beltway in Fairfax VA. I'm thinking this is the year all of us Greater D.C. area guys get together and crash Tony's house. . .LOL Have fun and be safe!

I'm thinking this is the year all of us Greater D.C. area guys get together and crash Tony's house. .

A great idea! We'll all take empty suticases and leave with all kinds of goodies... Thanks for the reply!

Tony lives in a very little house <g>.

It would be fun to have a get together though. Maybe a central location somewhere to those of us in the MD/VA/WVA/PA area. Any nice places near Frederick Maryland maybe?

I'd love to meet some of you in person and we can compare notes.


Tony

I have a DOVO myself but havent worked up the courage to use it as i am sure after speaking with Randy and discussing it with him it needs a little something, i had the pleasure of talking with him and really appreciated the advice given, what i didnt explain at the time was i am in scotland but i love reading the posts you all put up and its nice to know that the advice and experience is there to fall back on.
Happy New Year Guys from scotland

I've heard some good things about the DOVO Reniassance, and its a real classy looking razor... I half want one of my own

I know what you mean about that Renaissance, and I don't think I'd be as timid toward the SS as I was 6 months ago.

X

I went ahead with it again today! It gets my cheeks and most of my neck real well... Just can't do the chin without the super sharp edge. The cheeks, though - real smooth! I never used to shave on the weekends - now I look forward to it!

Originally Posted by twheels

l... Just can't do the chin without the super sharp edge.

Iv'e got the same thing going on. I think it's the denseness of the whiskers which demands more to cut well. A carefull cutting angle,(search) not shaving angle should also aid in cutting these 'thickets'.

Seriously, don't push the chin with a blade thats not sharp. Bad ju ju! Its like a big protrusion with narly hair. With a sharp blade I put on lather and let it soak then reapply before attacking the chin. I still have war wounds from early attempts and poor form on the chin.

Isn't that razor just the coolest.

I agree, no worries anymore with the stainless blades. Just a few months ago I too hated them with a passion.