Thread: Hello from Pennsylvania

Hello all!. My name is Zach. I'm new to straight razors. I switched to a double edge safety razor from a cartridge razor about a year ago, and never looked back. More recently I had ventured into shavettes and rather enjoyed it. I asked for a straight razor for Christmas and got one. It's a Gold Dollar, and also got a 3 inch strop too. I haven't gotten a chance to shave with it yet but should today. Very much looking forward to it when I do. This looks like an awesome site and am looking forward to reading more posts and learning more.

Hopefully it came shave ready, if not there are a lot of people on the forum that can get it shave ready for you. It is not the best quality brand out there but there are some that really like them. Welcome, I hope you enjoy it here.

Welcome to a friendly helpful place.

Hello Zach,
I just joined the forum yesterday on Christmas. I'm new like you and haven't even got my first razor yet. I've already made several posts. I can't believe the response and help that I am getting. This place is great and is full of people that are willing to help. The astonishing thing is that it only took one day to find that out.
Welcome and enjoy the ride!
Pete <:-}

Welcome to an older but better way of shaving!

A couple of hours ago an 18 year old guy that I work with left here with a shave ready razor, a 2" SRD strop, some shaving cream, a used brush and a Huge Smile on his face after his first go with a straight razor and finishing up with a DE.

As Shaun has mentioned Gold Dollars are kind of hit and miss, I've handled a few and I'll just say that I'm not impressed. I do like vintage blades and have a few very affordable ones available if you are interested in getting started on a budget. Far too often I've seen enthusiasm wane and become abandonment of using the straights. With that said, once one finds the patience to at least semi master this age old art, it's well worth the time!

Again Welcome!

Welcome to a great forum, SRP. I'm sure you will find all the help you need to enjoy straight razor shaving.


Mike

Hi Zach & welcome to SRP. You will love it here & there is plenty to learn as there is a wealth of information on here! Here is the first bit of information for you to know:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/srpwi...sked_Questions
http://straightrazorpalace.com/conte...ber-2014-1750/
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:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...azors_to_Avoid
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:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...t_Razor_Brands
If buying a new razor, I suggest you buy one from Straight Razor Designs - Gifts for Men | Straight Razors 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:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...azor_stropping
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:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe..._Place_Library
Also here is Lynns bevel setting video & some of gssixguns honing video's:
https://www.youtube.com/user/gssixgun/videos
Bevel setting on a Chosera 1K taught by Lynn Abrams
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:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...php/Local_Help
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

Hi and welcome. Hopefully that first shave goes alright but if not everything you need to be proficient at straights is here at your fingertips. Steve has provided great links to help start you off. Unfortunately shaving with a straight does have a learning curve so even though the first shave might not be great stick with it and before long you will have the best shaves of your life. Good luck and any questions feel free to ask

Hello Zach welcome to the forum & to SRP. Its always nice to see another Pennsylvanian joining the straight razor fold, I'm from Philly.
Much to learn and practice in this art form, but if you hang in there your patience will pay off.
Again welcome...

Originally Posted by Tarkus

Hello Zach welcome to the forum & to SRP. Its always nice to see another Pennsylvanian joining the straight razor fold, I'm from Philly.
Much to learn and practice in this art form, but if you hang in there your patience will pay off.
Again welcome...

I went to Philly once. Had the best Philly Cheese Steaks from a place called Cliff's. There was a line of people going all the way down the street.............