Thread: Hello from Arizona

Welcome to SRP! You're gonna love this place. There is so much to absorb like a sponge here. Just go to the Library here & start at the beginning. Get yourself a nice well made straight razor whether new or used but if you buy a used one, make sure you know what to look for in a used straight razor. If new is what you want, I suggest going to the Straight Razor Designs & start with the Ralph Aust razor or pick one out yourself. Straight Razor Designs is partly owned by this forum founder Lynn. If you buy a straight razor & strop set, Lynn will hone the razor so that when you get it, it will for sure be ready to go. Many places offer a shave ready straight razor but when the buyer gets it, it won't be shave ready. Some places WILL sell a shave ready straight but you would have to know who does. When you buy the set from SRD, it WILL be shave ready plus you'll get a certificate for another free honing when it is due for it, which will be a long time as long as you learn to strop it right. You can learn to strop in the Library or here:
Razor stropping - Straight Razor Place Library
For now you can practice stropping with an old wide belt if you have one you don't use anymore & a butterknife because if you try to learn on a new strop with a straight razor, you will accidentally cut the leather which is something you don't want to do. Since you are new to this, I suggest you buy Lynn's dvd which shows how to strop, hone, shave, restore & of course he shows his collection which is nice. You can also watch videos on here on how to strop & how to hone. There are some youtube videos on straight razor shaving. There might even be some on here but I haven't looked into the shaving part on here. I have Lynn's dvd & I love it. If you buy the new Razor & strop set, there's an option to buy the dvd there. There is a wealth of information on here & a lot of knowledgable people here that will answer questions you might have. If you really get into it & start buying razors, you will develop RAD, a thing we call "razor acquisition disorder" because a man can never have enough razors. I have several hundred! : )
I have a collection of a lot of older razors, some of which date back to the late 1700's. One of them might possibly be in the 1750's-1760's. It's a fun hobby along with know how to shave with a straight. Do lots of research & have fun doing it!
Steve

Welcome. I don't think there is much to add that hasn't already ben said

Originally Posted by UAcowboy

It was the use of stones that first brought me to this site. I would be happy to help when that time comes but that should be a while out since you went with SRD. as for stropping the paddle should help. i never used one but i started with my strop on the counter and took it very slow. watch LOTS of videos and maybe start with a butter or blunt table knife to get the feel.

Butter Knife is a great idea, thanks for that and offer!

Please update your profile so we know where you are...Help is readily available that way.

Originally Posted by Splashone

Please update your profile so we know where you are...Help is readily available that way.

Fixed, thanks!

Hi and welcome. Help is only ever a question away. If in doubt just give a shout and you will get more help than you would ever want