Hello from Northern California
Hello,
I have been reading the forums for a week or so and finally found some time to make my first post.
I have never been a great fan of shaving and like the look of a beard but can't stand how mine itches. Shaving for me is grudging, every 3-4 days and anything sooner leaves me with razor burn and lots of cuts.
I am hoping a good sharp straight razor may change this and from what I read it sounds like there is a reasonable chance. I suppose a proper preparation with my regular disposable would help, as well as perhaps being satisfied with a WTG shave. But no, I always bull through an ATG shave even if it leaves me using the styptic pencil like a paint brush. It's hard to think of it as anything more than a chore but I think with the right equipment (something I can respect) I can change my perspective.
I now await a sight unseen from Whipped Dog and beginner strop, but have a feeling (if I don't maim myself) I'll wind up with something prettier soon thereafter.
Aside from the potential of a better shave, and perhaps more appealing to me, is the razor itself.
I have always had a deep love for a nice thing that was created with great craftsmanship. I love knowing and appreciating what went into making it, and maintaining it. When I used to play paintball (long ago) cleaning the equipment was a pleasure of its own separate from playing. While I have never been a knife collector I have always enjoyed keeping the kitchen knives reasonably sharp and the idea of something a level beyond this, with a goal of the best edge possible, is very attractive.
In addition to these things that make me vulnerable to being a collector I also like to make things. I am a software engineer by profession and so I like having a space outside of that that is more physical. A hobby I have had for 30 years is 3D puzzle collecting and solving, and the maker urge has led me into puzzle building and restoring which fulfills many of the same desires that draw me to straight razors.
It didn't take long after finding this site for me to hit the Custom Builts and Restorations forum and know I would be happy and perhaps looking into some scale making and perhaps forging (one day).
I'm looking forward to my razor's arrival, the first shave and where it takes me from there.
Dave
www.LitwinPuzzles.com