Hello from Central Missouri
Hello all. Wanted to say that I've been looking around on this site and there is a wealth of information that I wish I'd had 25 years ago.
Anyway, my name is Jeff and I live in Centralia, MO. I've not yet started with a straight razor...but soon. A couple weeks ago I was in the local drug store and spotted a safety razor. As the memories of my father came flooding back, I couldn't help but pick it and a cake of shaving soap up. This got me to looking on the internet for info on traditional shaving, and I found Lynn's fantastic video explaining all about shaving with a straight razor, and made me wish I had one. Then it dawned on me that I did, in fact, have a straight razor somewhere, which leads to the next story:
Back in the mid 80's I was a young lad in the Air Force, stationed at Incirlik, Turkey. One day I was shopping off base and one of the local stores had straight razors. I decided it would be cool to own one, and spent $20. I had all intentions of using it, but had no idea how. I put it away, then forgot about it. It traveled with me in a small case of mementos. Over the years, I got married, moved around a bit more, and finally wound up here in Centralia.
I had forgotten I still had that razor until I started finding all this great info, including this site. I couldn't remember what kind it was, or even where it was. I started searching the other night and found it, and much to my surprise, it turns out it's a Filarmonica #12! It had a little bit of rust/discoloration on the spine and on the etched side of the blade, but a little metal polish took this off. Unfortunately it also took off the gold etching. But the edge looks to be in good shape, as far as I can tell, and as soon as I can, I'll get it honed so I can start using it. In the meantime, I'll still probably get another decent one (looking at a Dovo).
Hopefully, will begin straight shaving soon, and will post an update. Until then, hello everybody and thanks to all of you for the wisdom in these pages.
Jeff Wells
