Hello from the Northeast

Hi all,

I've just recently jumped headfirst into the world of straight razor shaving and am looking to get some idea of where I stand, and what direction I should move to maximize my enjoyment of the experience.
I've purchased a Puma 6/8" #91 spike point & an 'old school' Peter J. Michels Shell Cordovan strop, and I am thinking of purchasing a PJ2 Best as a brush to round out my first set. I'm also looking for a stand and bowl/mug, and some shave product suggestions. My father is a trumper man, but he shaves mach3 with some badger and paste. I enjoy the trumper scents, but have no idea what else is out there. I have a very light beard growth, and I am aware that my chosen razor is more than adequate to handle much thicker growth, but thought it an appropriate razor to grow with due to the known quality of old puma steel and the custom set of scales.

Any opinions on the PJ2 Best as a compliment to my initial selections? Thanks all; I'll post photos of the strop and razor once i receive them later this week!


Best, Archer

Archer, Welcome to SRP!

Thanks very much Leather :D

Hi and welcome. Sounds like you have done your homework and that should be a great starter kit for you. Good luck and any questions feel free to ask.

<singing> "DANJA ZOWN!!!"

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Originally Posted by SterlingArcher

I've purchased a Puma 6/8" #91 spike point

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Oh lordy go slow and be mindful of where the spike is when near jawline, nose, chin and ears. It can and will get you if you aren't laser focused

I surely like what you have! Has the blade been honed and stropped for shaving? Pumas are excellent, esp for light beards. There are some heavy grinds of them out there, though, that will tackle anything! A spike point which tends to slice is quickly (and often) repaired by a few light strokes of the tip under the bathroom windowsill. We need to see. Show pics of the strop. The razor. Some old ones don't give. They take! ;)

Welcome and good luck. Sounds like you're going in the right direction ...... now "mind the spike"!

Hahah, thanks all for the words of advice and encouragement. I've gone ahead and gotten myself a PJ2 Super to start this madness, and am now just awaiting the strop in the mail. I'll break out my camera and take some pictures this evening, as it's a lovely razor and brush and I'm incredibly excited to get going once everything is in order :) --Archer

Pictures of everything so far! I'm rather excited to get to try this razor out once everything else necessary has arrived, but that will be some time this weekend at a bare minimum :/ Let me know what you think! -Archer
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The old razor looks short. Cell rot . Saved from some gassing faux tortoise scales? Gonna take some work to make a shaver, IF it can be done. JMHO. Might be some meat on the bone!

Brush looks GREAT! ;)

Be careful that the blade AND the scale is absolutely dry before putting it up. Another poster got water marks on his blade because of water not seen inside the scales. Notorious in wood scales I've heard.

Hello, and welcome to SRP !!:chapeau