Greetings Gents. I'm really happy to find this place since I believe in being a gentleman, and only a gentleman is completely at ease among other gentlemen...you usually know what to expect, and that is uncommon in today's world. Quite a few years ago now I thought I would try my hand at straight razor shaving, especially since I always like that feeling on the back of my neck after my barber, Harold, hits me with his hot towel, warm lather, razor, then talc. Being as thrifty as possible, and as unsure as any, I purchased a seemingly cheap straight from one of those Chinese razor places in the mall. The razor feels like the blade out of a safety razor, or my windshield decal scraper, but with a plastic handle and a flimsy back. Frankly, I thought I would probably feel more comfortable trying to learn to shave with my deer skinning knife or perhaps one of my broadheads on the tip of my arrows. So, in a hurry, I put the razor in the medicine cabinet, picked up my old cheapey disposable, and never went back. The other day I asked Harold if he had to learn to shave folks with a straight at Barber school, to which he replied, "hell yeah. If you try to shave with a straight without learning, you will cut the fool out of yourself." That was enough of a challenge to rekindle my interest. I got the bright idea tonight to do some investigating on the internet, and now I'm convinced I can shave with a straight if I give myself time and try to learn a little something from others who've gone this way before me before I try again (especially since last time I never got past just looking at the razor). I figure if I could teach myself to sew (either by hand or with a machine), then I can certainly teach myself to shave. If Harold can do it, then I sure can. Heck, I could cut my own hair to suit me if it just wasn't up on top of my head. My only hesitation now is that old blade. In my research, I read about how a good shave is only as good as the razor, but that a first-timer like me could give it a try with something like I already have without having to mortgage the farm just to try. I figure that if the old thing isn't rusted, perhaps it would be worth another look, but I wanted to see what you fellows thought about that idea first. By the way, the name's Rob. Looking forward to hearing what some of you out there have to say. After all, you can't buy experience off of a truck!