Thread: Finally Diving In!

Hey all,

I just wanted to introduce myself real quick. My name is Ruben and I've finally registered on this site after probably a year or more of going to this site for information. I've wanted to dive into the world of shaving with a straight razor for the longest time but didn't know where to start. I have finally purchased several razors and a strop to get started after researching the do's and don'ts of what I should and shouldn't buy. I'm still not completely sure what I've purchased is what I'm really looking for but I'm sure I'll find out in the near future. I joined this site finally because I figure, as I start using a straight razor, I'll want to consult most of you with all my questions. I look forward to attempting that great shave I've received from barbers and I'm sure I'll be posting my own questions on here soon enough.

Dive in! The water's fine. Describe or post pics of your kit. We could comment further.
You have come to the right place. Welcome!

Thanks Sharptonn. I will definitely post pics as soon as I get the razors in. I went with vintage razors from ebay. One is "shave ready" which I know to not always to be true (something I found from this site) and one that I am going to turn around and send out to be honed. As I get more into this, I'll start looking into nicer razors but being that I'm a father of four, work full-time, and a full-time student, I need to spend my money wisely. That's why I figured I'd go the vintage razor route right now. As soon as I get the razors and strop in though, I'll be sure to load them up here for you all to see and comment. Thanks again.

welcome fellow WA stater...

Excellent choice to dive in. Also nice to see another member with webbed feet

Thanks all for the warm invite and to my fellow Washingtonians. You guys don't happen to know of any reputable businesses here in Washington that can hone well do you?

Welcome Ruben its good to see you here. Your in for a fun & rewarding experience using a straight. Lots to learn and plenty of practice will make this a passion like no other.
Again welcome.
Tarkus (Darl)

Welcome and ask away! This forum is the widest collection of people with even the widest sets of experience around. If one person can't answer your question there will be one right behind him waiting with his answers to your questions. And there is always the wiki. Enjoy the ride.

Welcome, as has been said, ask away. You really don't have to spend a great deal to get set up, though it is very tempting to accumulate stuff.
Aside from your razors (2 is a good number) and strop (only one needed) do you have a brush and soap etc?
At some point you might want to start maintaining your edge with a hone, but you don't need to worry about that for a while. Let someone who knows what they are doing do it for you the first few times.
Regards ed.

...and you were correct. I wasn't able to be so restrained. I did both sides each of the last two days from side burn to jaw line. First day I shaved with a vintage razor that has no name. It's a 7/8 razor that was honed and stripped before shipment but it felt like it was pulling rather than cutting but it wasn't incredibly horrible either. I think had I would have stripped before the shave it would have been better.

Day 2 I shaved with my other new razor. It is a 5/8 and way more comfortable to me. I know I will get grief from this one but it was a gold dollar #66 shave ready I read good reviews on Amazon which is why I bought it. I stropped 50/50 before shaving and it felt great. Tomorrow I want to strop the vintage and see if it feels better.

Everything else was the same both days. Good lather, nice hot towel prep, same hold, 30-degree angle. Only difference was the stropping.

Thoughts / tips anyone?