Thread: Greetings from Southern Ohio

I have been reading and learning quite a bit here. I actually began shaving with a straight a few weeks ago. I started with a razor I had picked up at a local antique shop. My dad actually shaved with a straight and a DE when I was young. He taught me to shave with both when I was about 14 (I am 51 now).

I have shaved with Fusion cartridges for a few years, and a little bit of everything before that (including electric razors).

My arsenal:
(1) The straight I picked up at the antique shop is branded for Smith Hdwe. Co. Columbus, O., and is marked "Our Very Best" Concaved. The scales were destroyed, so I am rescaling it with Rosewood scales.
(2) Since then, I have purchased a Geo. Wostenholm & Son IXL on Ebay for $38.99 in very good condition, and a friend GAVE me a couple Bokers...
(3) a H. Boker & Co. No. 346 "Extra Hollow Ground" - had one scale attached, which was broken. I made new Ebony scales for it.
And, (4) a Boker with "carved" spine, Ivory covered tang, and fancy scales; markings on tang "SCHMIDT & ZIEGLER REMSCHEID," and "OUR BEST" on the blade.

I have attached a picture showing these razors, listed from R to L. The one at the extreme RIGHT is shown without scales.

At any rate, I have somewhat perfected my "grip," and have become more proficient with my non-dominant hand (nicked myself pretty bad starting out). I have packed away the Fusion razor and the canned goop.

My routine:
Just before I get into the shower, I run a cup of hot water from my Keurig into a mug for my brush (boar) to soak in, and submerge my bowl (even with the top of the soap) in a sink filled with hot water. (BTW, I ordered a badger brush. I am guessing I will leave the boar behind).

After showering, I rub a homemade pre-shave oil into my whiskers (grape seed oil, olive oil, mineral oil, and lavender EO, and peppermint EO). That is followed by a lather of Van Der Hagen luxury (I have Razorock on the way). I go WTG. Rinse. Lather. XTG. Hot towel. Septic pencil as needed. Cold rinse. Witch hazel. Pat dry. A light coat of either Nivea ASB, or the same oil I use for pre-shave.

I had to touch-up 3 out of the 4 straights on a barber hone, and have become adequate with the strop (#835 Illinois Razor Strop).

For the first week or so, I only made 1 pass (WTG) each day. Then for the past week or so, I have added XTG. Once I have become comfortable with my grip, and technique, I will add ATG as needed.

If only I could avoid the tender spots where I nicked early on!

I apologize if I have rambled too much... glad to be here!

Welcome to SRP!

That is a nice little growing collection. I learned from my dad as well but basically skipped all the other various methods except in extreme need. Barber's hones are very nice at keeping an edge going just once though you should get one of your razors honed by a honemiester it will give you a nice reference point. I used to always use a coticule and a barber's hone which kept my razors great for 30 years... then I bought a new razor from Lynn... now I rarely use not coticule and my edges are refreshed on shapton 8k & 16k hones and maintained on a thuringen stone.

enjoy,
jim

Hi and welcome. Any questions feel free to ask