Thread: Hi From New Jersey

Hello All!

I've been wetshaving for a little over a year with a DE, and have decided to make the plunge to straights so I figured it was about time I joined up. I have a Parker PTB shavette that will be delivered in the next day or so, and will be getting a Ralf Aust 5/8 from SRD for Christmas. I'm ready to learn and have started looking through the how-to threads. There is just a ton of great information here, so thanks in advance for all that!

-John

Welcome Taborcarn, good looking avatar there! It looks like you have put yourself on a good path for learning the ins and outs of this addictive exercise in the pursuit of a decent shave. Make sure Christmas also brings you a brush, some good soap/cream, and a reasonably cost strop (because you will probably kill the first one). Be sure to keep your enthusiasm in check on wanting to do your own honing until you have mastered decent shaving and the skill of re freshening your edges. And do ask all the questions you can think of because all the members like to answer them with their point of view. And the wikis are always a good read.

Thanks for the welcome!

Trust me, I've already been though the phases of AD with brushes and soaps during my time with a DE, much to SWMBO's chagrin My current favorite setup there is a Simpsons Duke 3 with DR Harris Arlington hard soap, but I'm always on the lookout for something I might like more.

I'm not sure if I will be getting a strop with the razor, but I've already started looking for an inexpensive spare one to start with and practice on.

Good start. Let me suggest Mitchell's Wool Fat soap and Maca Root cream. I make a uber lather with them and have a good cushion from them. I have sensitive skin and can't handle anything with menthol or eucalyptus in it. If you have iron skin then the world of soaps/creams is wide open to you. If not, reading the ingredients is an eye opener at times. See about a bench strop to start or lay the strop on a flat surface till you feel comfortable with the pressure, or lack of, needed to so a good stropping without ruining the razor's edge. I have a couple of old Russian shell strops that I have placed a strip of thin composite wood between the leather and linen and held together with Velcro straps and have a hanging bench strop. Just another future suggestion.

Tabor, welcome. You're gonna have some fun here - and likely the best shaves of your life. I can add nothing to Razorfeld's commets - he tells ya right. Have a blast while you learn.

Hi and welcome. Good luck on the shaves. Ed