Hello from Pacific Northwest

WOW! this website ROCKS! :rock:

Hiya, My name is Jay and I'm a pensioner from Lakewood just south of Seattle, WA in the Pacific Northwest.

A hearty 'Thank You' to all you folks and all your shared knowledge. I have confidently been able to move forward in my long time desire to shave with a straight razor. I tried this when I was much younger but did not have the patience to learn correctly and sliced & diced myself as well as ruined razor & strop. :gth

I'm sure I will have some of the same old stupid FNG questions along the way so bare with me please as I learn my way around all this great information. :lurk:

Welcome aboard, Jay.

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Originally Posted by jmercer

I'm sure I will have some of the same old stupid FNG questions along the way so bare with me please as I learn my way around all this great information. :lurk:

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Welcome Jay.

You will find some very helpful friends here so don't be afraid to ask questions.

Jay,
I agree with you, this is a great bunch of guys, willing to share what they've learned. I live east of you in Bonney Lake.

Hi and welcome. Ask away there's always someone willing to help. Ed

Welcome to the forum, great bunch of people and vast pool of knowledge. There are quite a few of us in the Pacific NW. I'm over in Kitsap County myself. Don't be afraid to ask any questions, everyone here is pretty helpful.

howdy jmercer. welcome to the forum :rock:

Jay!

Welcome to the most friendly, helpful and informative site on the web!!

You will find members here of all different backgrounds, ages and occupations from all corners of the world and all with a quest for more knowledge about using and maintaining a straight razor!

If you take the time to search, 99.9% of your questions can be found in the Library (WIKI) however feel free to ask us about whatever it is that you are wondering about or having a problem with. It does help if you’ve done some research before hand so it narrows the problem down a bit.

I'm kiddy korner from you as I'm in Walla Walla!! My good friend pinklather is south of you just outside of Portland OR! Please let us know if we can be of any help to you!!

This can be a long strange trip, but it doesn't have to be a lonely one! :tu

Welcome, nice to see another NW person join SRP. There are a number of good mentors in WA and OR. Get to know them and your knowledge will expand exponentially. All questions welcome. Believe me, we've all ask our fair share of the obvious, silly and stupid questions and have received nothing but understanding and help. Enjoy, from a fellow pensioner.

Thanks for the replies everyone. :nj

A question for my fellow Pacific Northwesterners, who is the recommended Honemeister in our corner of the world?

I have ordered a new quality razor and want to get a professional edge on it to help establish my sharpness benchmark. I am not knowledgeable enough yet to tell while learning to shave. I mainly want to reduce the discomfort while on the learning curve. I ordered an alum block last night. I'm currently using a new factory sharp Dovo that I've tried stropping. I had to try the factory edge to get the feel that is talked about of 'shave ready'. My newbie stropping has improved the factory sharp greatly but I know I have a long way to go yet. I got another practice razor & strop and am working on my techniques. I had an old Beau Brummel (grandfather's and in poor condition) professionally sharpened (online source) but am not pleased with it at all. My stropped Dovo cuts way better. I should have waited till I got a good sharp razor but you know how that can go. :w

jmercer, there are a number of good honers in the NW but 'the' pro is Glen (gssixgun) at Gem Star Customs in Idaho. He has honed to perfection 2 C-MONs for me and is also a restorer. Check out his web site. Outside of the area I would go with Lynn (SRP founder) in MO.

Thanks Razorfeld.

Impressive, Each blade is personally test shaved, sterilized, re-stropped, oiled, and then sent on to it's new owner....

I was thinking of Lynn too. What better benchmark to start with. I was looking for something close with quick turn around. I should be more patient and just "wait for it". :aargh:

First and Foremost, while your stropping may have seemed to improve the edge, until you actually shave with a Truly Shave Ready Razor, you won’t know what the ‘feel’ actually is!!

You won’t go wrong with GSSIXGUN! While Glen is my friend, I always highly recommend him, not only for honing but for restoration and custom work for a reason and that reason is that he does excellent work!!

Here’s a couple of examples:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/custo...ered-horn.html

http://straightrazorpalace.com/custo...uilt-spec.html

It seems you’ve seen his website you will have seen that honing turnaround is quite quick! Also you know how to get a hold of him! Please Do So as you won't regret it! :tu

Thanks cudarunner.

The first razor should be here by weeks end and a second in another week. Then after some close scrutiny off they go to the Honemeister. That puts me at least another month out. Patience... :rofl2:

Then two examples of the best.

Mean while... strop strop... strop strop... strop strop... :w

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Originally Posted by jmercer

Thanks cudarunner.


That puts me at least another month out.

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You just might be surprised on the turn around!! :tu

Welcome! This site is great and the guys are laid back so feel free to post any questions you've got!

I spent some time in Lakewood while I was based at Lewis about ten years ago. Fond memories!

Welcome to SRP, neighbor! Glen will take care of your edges....guaranteed you won't be disappointed. Also, there should be a meet-up in Yakima as we approach spring. Keep an eye out for it. You can learn more in 1-2 days than you can in 6 months on this site. Cheers!

Couple weeks ago I shaved with new TI properly honed by Glen. WOW! On the first stroke I went from my sideburn to the bottom of my neck before I knew it. Never done that before. Tried my other TI on next stroke and stopped in just ¼ inch into stroke; back to Glen's to finish second stroke and again almost to bottom of neck. I ended up shaving my whole face for only the third time since I started SR shaving and I am not on fire and or leaking like a slashed pig. R0FLMA0!! :rofl2: My technique is not that bad after all. YAY! I couldn’t wait for the next shave. Before I had to wait and let face heal up for two days and or up to a week or better. :aargh:

I sent Glen my other four razors and got them back yesterday YAY!! I have been butchering myself with my first razor a 6/8 DOVO for several months trying to learn to shave and get the razor sharp with strop/paste. I find I was not even close. Glen has shown me the way to "Shave Ready". Thanking you Sir. :tu

I've started with entry level razors a TI, DOVO, and Boker all were factory sharp only till I learned. I'm trying the Boker next. Even at this early stage I can perceive the difference in the shaves. Wow what a trip. I get rotations now. Still sorting lots input and fine tuning my routines with stuff like per-shave oil, washing the alum off with cold water so I don't open the pores again. A bunch of the little things that make the experience so enjoyable.

I chose ToOBS Sandalwood products to start with and set a base line with them. Just learning to use their three kinds of soaps, hard, cream, and stick has been an experience in it self.

In the near future I'll post photo of the razor that started it all my Dad's Beau Brummel #35 that Glen brought it back to life. I can't wait to try it again and have it work right.

This is the most user friendly and supportive place. A big hearty thank you to all who make this place what it is. :rock:

I'm so very glad that you accepted the counsel to have your razors Properly Honed so that you could actually get a nice shave off of a Truly Shave Ready Razor!!

One Hell of a Difference isn't it!!??!!!! :shrug:

Enjoy the ride! It's a long strange trip but it's worth the journey!! :tu

Glad to here of your success. As you know, everyone always tells you to get a shave ready razor. It is an amazing experience when it all clicks into place. Glad things seem to have worked out for you. Glen does an excellent job.

Welcome ! Not to worry about asking questions.That is why this site was created to spread the knowledge. You will find on this site ,a group of knowledgeable genttlemen who are eager to help you aquire your desired shaving skills.Relax and prepare yourself to an everyday boring ritual as it tranforms into a very interesting and enjoyable necessity and gratifying hobby.Happy shaving and good luck.

Hey Jay! I'm still way behind you. I was watching "Walking Dead" when I realized I wouldn't be able to use my electric razor "When All Hell Breaks Loose!" (A good book by Cody Lundin, btw).

That's when I thought about taking up the SR. I had absolutely no idea what I was in for but this is incredibly thrilling! After last night's experience though, I don't think I'll be sharing my new hobby with my "general friends". After mentioning this journey I'm on, I just about got laughed out of the room.

I'm so new to the SR, I've only actually shaved ONCE with a SR. I've been using a DE for a few weeks waiting for my SR to be professionally honed. I found a guy up in your area (Phraston) who not only honed up my Dovo for me but has been a wealth of information and support (mentor).

This morning will be my second shave! I've turned up my hot water heater for the event. I've been looking forward to this shave for two days now. Who says that about a Mach3 or an electric razor?

Definitely look forward to the NW Meet. I know you won't regret it. I can't wait for one to take place this summer out here in the Denver area where I'll get to meet Glen (a former CO native) as well a many other locals.

Enjoy the lather bro!

Hi,and welcome Jay !! :chapeau