New to the forum, and straight razor shaving.
Have been happy with wet shaving for a few years and wanted a change.
I've been reading learning for a month, and am still waiting for all of my new toys to come in...
Should be fun!
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New to the forum, and straight razor shaving.
Have been happy with wet shaving for a few years and wanted a change.
I've been reading learning for a month, and am still waiting for all of my new toys to come in...
Should be fun!
Welcome tab. Looks like you are on a good starting path. Please take advantage of the fact that Oregon is fortunate to have two Mentors, both in the Portland area - Scapoose and Forest Grove. I know for a fact that not only myself, but pinklather would be more than happy to assist you in any way we can. PM's are a good way to start.
tab,
Welcome to the forum!! Excellent advice above!! You can learn more in a few hours with one of them than through months of trial & error.
Enjoy the forum!! :D
Best Regards,
Howard :)
Welcome to the forum. It cn be a lot of fun hanging out here.
Welcome and enjoy.
Great info, thank you. I'm familiar with both areas so I may be shooting off a PM or two when the rest of my orders roll in!Quote:
Originally Posted by Razorfeld
Welcome to the neighborhood tab and like everyone has said ask and read this is a great place and a great bunch of people.
Hi Tab & welcome to SRP. Happy Holidays! You will love it here & there is plenty to learn as there is a wealth of information on here! You will want to buy you a nice straight razor to begin with whether used or new. Beware of used ones not that they are bad but know what to look for like a lot of hone wear on the spine & edge or chips in the blade. Stay away from razors with rust on the cutting edge as that will only result in it chipping more metal off as it is honed. Here is also a list of straights to stay away from:
Brands of Straight Razors to Avoid - Straight Razor Place Library
Here is a list of good brands of razors you will want to own plus there are more than just these out there which you will find out from other members here:
Good Straight Razor Brands - Straight Razor Place Library
If buying a new razor, I suggest you buy one from Straight Razor Designs or SRD. The owner & founder of this forum is Lynn & he is also part owner of SRD. When you buy a straight razor from him, he will personally hone that razor before you get it plus you will get a certificate for another free honing for when that razor needs it which should be a few months. There will be vendors who will sell you a straight razor that is supposed to be shave ready but really won't be. You will most importantly need to know how to strop & you can learn in the Library or here:
Razor stropping - Straight Razor Place Library
You will need to strop your razor before & after you shave. If you buy one from Lynn, chances are you won’t have to strop it before you use it the first time.
You will also need a shaving brush, a shaving mug & some shaving soap. Later it will also do you good to get a second straight razor so that when you send the first one out to be honed, you will have a backup to shave with.
Here is a link to the Library where you will find stropping in there & everything else you will need to know including how to hone:
Straight Razor Place Library - Straight Razor Place Library
Here is another good link to know:
Welcome to the Workshop: How do I / Where do I / What do I / answers are here
Should you have any questions, there are a lot of knowledgable members on here that will be more than happy to help you out. If you want to find someone in your area, you can look here:
Local Help - Straight Razor Place Library
And if you can't find anyone near you, just ask and someone that lives in your are & hopefully they will let you know how to meet up & you can get some one on one mentoring. There is a lot to do on here, just search everywhere on the forum & in the Library. You will spend hours on here & have fun doing it, so there you go, have at it!
Good luck & have fun!
Steve
Go Ducks! Welcome from Portland, OR. I've been wet shaving for 52 years, but only 9 months with straights. Pinklather has been generous of his time, skill, and knowledge, as I'm sure Razorfeld is. Please take advantage of their generous offer. Most of all, have fun!
Welcome to srp...your in good hands.
I was going to say that Razorfeld and pinklather are both in Oregon, but Razorfeld got there first, i think cudarunner is close by too.
I saw you had a Portland razor Co on the way and a hart? And you have discovered the hart isn't quite shave ready, if I am not mixing you up with someone else, i am sure Razorfeld or pink can help get you on track, even if indirectly.
Hi Tab, and welcome to the forum !! :chapeau
Hi and welcome. Good luck with this next step in your shaving journey
This all sounds correct.Quote:
Originally Posted by edhewitt
Planning to shoot off some PMs tonight and see where it ends up.
Welcome to an older but better way of shaving.
While I'm a bit far away to be of any help as far as one on one; as mentioned you have good help available and quite close.
I think that the Key things in learning this age old art are these:
Patience, Patience, Patience and then some more Patience as there are so many learning curves to this art. If you do have patience, then you will do well.
Take your time, go slow and Don't Expect Immediate EXCELLENT RESULTS! It can happen, but it's the few and they are far between.
Shoot for improving each and every time you shave with the straight. If it doesn't happen, so be it. Try again. If you think that you've learned what no to do, remember it. If you think that you've learned something that is right, remember that. It will all come to you, it just takes time and that is why you must be patient.
Please don't even think about learning how to hone!!!!!!!!!!! You have your plate full with learning how to Properly Strop, Make Lather and most importantly How to Shave. I always Highly Suggest that those that are new to this Art wait at least 1 year before they even think about learning how to hone. Just ask pinklather why he chose that handle/I'll give you a hint/mix red blood with white shaving lather :hmmm:
When the time comes to learn to hone you will find a very good teacher in pinklather, he's one fussy SOB! :bow:
Again welcome! It's a long strange trip but it's well worth the journey :tu
Sanfte Rasur, mein Klingenbruder!
(Smooth Shaving My Brother In Blades)
My new razor from Portland Razor Co. came in yesterday. Compared to the Hart blade it has a much better edge.
Far less tugging and a lot more cutting... I'm very happy to now know what this is supposed to feel like ;)
The strop I purchased with the razor was a lot nicer than I expected as well. Very pleased with the new acquisitions.
Scott at PRC is creating a buzz in the USA made razor/strop market.
Welcome, tab, to a great group focused around a great hobby/avocation/obsession.
FWIW, I have 3 Harts that all arrived marginally shave-ready (tugging, etc.) , but after Gssixgun honed them they became among my most favorite blades.
Also, I am eagerly awaiting my Portland razor.
Mike
Quote:
Originally Posted by tab
I just visited the guys at Portland Razor Co. this morning, to pick up my razor and to see what they do first hand. Scott was very generous of his time, given that he's been working long hours, seven days a week to catch up on the sudden interest in his razors. The workmanship on my razor is impeccable, and I'm anxious to shave with it tomorrow morning. Some of the scales he's working on are stunning, and I was able to see a beautiful Damascus that is near completion. He's able to do any of the razors offered on his site in 6/8, 7/8, or 8/8, and can do almost any scale that you are interested in. I saw a beautiful block of a bogged wood from Russia today. I was happy to support a local artisan, and after what I saw today, I will probably be ordering another razor soon.
'Sure makes me happy to hear Scott at PRC is putting some smile on some faces.
Tab, by all means - take advantage of guys nearby. I'm been crazy busy lately, but with a little planning, should be able to help.
Between the Hart & PRC, you have some very nice blades to learn with. For alot of guys, the heavy grinds can be easier to learn with. Although I have all types, I reach for a heavy grind 3 out of 4 shaves. If we can connect, you're welcome to try my gear. Near wedge through extra hollow. Customs, a lovely horsebutt strop from HidestoArt, vintage shell. I don't have any nice badger brushes yet. I'm betting you're gonna love your shaves.
Enjoy the learning. It doesn't have to happen overnight. It will actually get better whether or not you try to improve - just from the repetition of blade to beard.
'Hope your time here is great. 'Best of Christmas wishes to you & yours.
Great info, generous offers, & kind words, Thank you.Quote:
Originally Posted by pinklather
I'll keep your info close and see if we can't work out a meet.
Looking forward to seeing pictures of your new razor. I'm a big fan of Scott at PRCQuote:
Originally Posted by evnpar
Well from what I heard about Hart on here lately, their quality has gone down the toilet!Quote:
Originally Posted by feltspanky
I want a Portland razor bad!!!!!!!!