Thread: Hello From Raleigh, NC

Hi Jerry & welcome to SRP. Well, the Gold Dollar's are hit & miss. Some good, some bad. You also might have done as you said but to see if you rolled the edges, see if your fingernail catches on the blade from both sides. You'll be able to see. You might want to check out those metopes near you & you will learn more from other members there.
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:
Straight Razor Place - Beginners Tips: December 2014
Frequently Asked Questions - Straight Razor Place Library
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/srpwik...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/srpwik...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/srpwik...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/srpwik..._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/srpwik...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

Thanks for all the kind words and advice folks. Today's shave was a little better - actually seemed 2 cut a few hairs. Worked on my stropping skills and think I made some progress. I'm looking forward to meeting some locals 4 a bit of personal exchange. Keep me posted on the meeting dates, times and places.

Welcome to SRP!

Welcome from Lizard Lick, Jerry. Any family in Spring Hope?

Originally Posted by Jerrybass

Thanks for all the kind words and advice folks. Today's shave was a little better - actually seemed 2 cut a few hairs. Worked on my stropping skills and think I made some progress. I'm looking forward to meeting some locals 4 a bit of personal exchange. Keep me posted on the meeting dates, times and places.

Are you using the Whipped Dog razors yet? They will be shave ready. If so make sure you have a wet enough lather and keep the blade angle as low as possible to still cut whiskers. Start out just shaving the cheeks, stretch the skin a bit using your hands or contorting your face, start the shaving motion before you reach the skin and watch lots on YouTube to get more information, confidence and role models.

Welcome to SRP!

Thanks for the amazing warm welcomes.

Whipped Dog razors were shipped yesterday I think, so I am guessing I'll get them by early next week. Looking forward to a realistic comparison for sharp!

No family in Spring Hope, but thanks for the PM and note the reply. Originally from the coastal area of NC where there aren't too many branches on a lot of those family trees, but who knows....

When I finish off with my Gillette Fusion (the one that vibrates with about 19 blades) I notice that the shave is way smoother than my quickie shower shaves used to be so I am guessing my face prep is an improvement. Cut a few hairs this AM, but still don't think things are right yet. Also still trying to figure out how to hold/manipulate the razor to get it in the right position. For now, mostly still working on the cheek areas. Anxiously awaiting the mail man!

Jerry

Quick update: I got my shavette in the mail today and couldn't resist giving it a little try. Easily shaved arm hair above skin level. I did a quick soap up of my right cheek (far from a proper shave prep) and took a test stroke. Hair flew off like a champ! No cut, no razor burn, just hair gone! So, my suspicions about the condition of the blade on my straight razor seems to be confirmed and perhaps my novice shave technique is not the main culprit (yet). I will probably use the shavette tomorrow with a real prep and decent lather. Looking forward to the Whipped Dog razors to arrive and see if I have similar luck!

Sorry, my first message is wrong & it was brought to my attention. I think they made some changes but this is the right message here:
Hi & 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:
Straight Razor Place - Beginners Tips: December 2014
Frequently Asked Questions - Straight Razor Place Library
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 - 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:
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:
Beginner's Guide to Honing - Straight Razor 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:
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