Yet another 'Hello' from a new guy.

Figured it was time to stop being an invisible lurker who gets all the benefits from this community without making any contributions in return (though, it's unclear what contributions I could make since I'm still waiting for my first straight razor to arrive).

I've been shaving with a DE safety razor for 6 months or so and have already battled a serious case of RAD. I've got 4 DE razors, which isn't a lot but it's still a new razor every month and a half.
I've got most of what I need to start this new (bloody?) adventure of straight razor shaving; brushes, soaps, creams, aftershave balms, etc. I'm waiting for a couple of 'sight unseen' razors from Whipped Dog and a strop, which should arrive in the next day or so. I'm planning to focus on shaving and stropping for a while and will worry about honing later. Seemed like Whipped Dog was a reasonable place to start for getting some sharp (affordable) razors to learn with (and I've had great experience dealing with Larry in the past).

I flirted with the idea of straight razor shaving a few times over the past couple of years and have been reading a lot of the advice for beginners for quite a while. Now that I've got some comfort and familiarity with wet shaving with a DE, it seemed like the right time to take the plunge.

Recently, I've spent lots of time reading the information on this site for beginners (again) and gathered lots of great advice while lurking among the threads and watching videos. I understand it's likely to be a long process with a steep learning curve. I'm hoping that shaving with a DE will have been helpful, at least in terms of having a different level of respect about dragging an ultra-sharp blade across my face and the importance of attention, angle, and a light touch. But we will have to wait and see. I'm just hoping that my next post (after my first effort with a straight) does not land me in the "cut of the day" thread. I'm especially concerned about the idea of trying to use my non-dominant hand - not sure I'm ready to trust that my left hand will not try to exact some sort of revenge for the years of neglect that it has suffered.

Again, thanks to everyone for all of the good information I've gathered so far.
At this point, any struggles with the straight will only be attributable to operator error (and lack of experience) as opposed to lack of good information.

A very strong welcome to you, mutley, to official standing in SRP. High commendation to you for your intelligent and mature approach to this great adventure. Especially when you state honing is for later. I fear we lose some new members from frustration when they state and try to learn to lather, understand their face, strop properly and hone with little knowledge of how much a razor is different than a knife. The only simile that I can think of is we aren't born adults and to my mind that means everything in life should be taken in small steps that lead to great strides as we learn.

Welcome again, and ask questions.

Welcome.

I wish I had developed a similar plan when I started. Excellent

Welcome to SRP!

You can slowly work your left hand into the shave. I started out right hand only and over a couple of months worked the left hand in. Unfortunately I think both hands have tried to take revenge on me at one time or another.

Take it slow, read the forums, and remember to ask questions when you need help.

Hi and welcome. Long as you take it easy and use the DE when needed this should be a smooth transition for you. I also started right hand only and have slowly incorporated the left. Just do what feels right for you. Good luck

Welcome to SRP!

First, welcome to visible forumdom!

To reassure you, I spent years (many) being incapable of doing anything left handed that required coordination. I was totally dominantly a righty. At first I shaved both sides of my face with my right hand, but it was so awkward that I decided to try my left ... very carefully. Lo and behold, I did a fine job. My only problem, which seems odd, is I had trouble looking in a mirror while using my left, by which I mean, I would make adjustments in an incorrect direction. I think it was just a brain training thing that my right hand motor control understood mirror images better than the brain controls for my left....or I'm crazy. Anyway, I found i had a lighter touch left handed, was smoother due to my caution and got as good, if not a better shave with it. since then I've been shaving ambidextrously.

However, the truth is that you should do whatever works for you. A lot of experimentation is involved in almost every aspect of SR shaving. Again, welcome and enjoy!

Welcome aboard Mutley! I tried using both hands and gave it up as a lost cause. I learned to shave both sides with my dominant hand and it works out alright. Only issue is getting my left sideburn straight.....

Welcome,

You have certainly come to the right place. Take it slow and do a little at a time. Again welcome.

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