Thread: Hello From Raleigh, NC

Hi Folks,
Total newbee here. Wife got me a straight razor set for Christmas. I'm struggling a bit, but very slowly making progress. Three attempts with only one nick, but not cutting much beard. Feels like a bit of tug and the blade seems to mostly move over the hair without cutting it. Got some razor burn on the first try, but none since. Still trying to master my right cheek for now, and have had to resort to my multi-blade disposables to finish the job. But I will persist!

I suspect multiple problems that I am trying to address: Mediocre quality razor (Gold Dollar 208) that maybe wasn't sharp enough, too much pressure on the razor and too much pressure on the strop. I have a better razor, but still need to work on the above. I suspect I have rolled the edges of both razors by too much pressure on the strop. I'll be working on that in particular and probably need to strop with some compound or something to get the edge back in shape.

Anyway, I have a couple of razors ordered from WhippedDog.com and have heard good things about Larry (who assures me they will be quite shave ready with no need to strop when they arrive). So I am looking forward to having a solid reference to work from. I also ordered a shavette - which I understand to be a bit of a different beast, but should at least eliminate the issue of an inadequately sharp blade (provided I survive it).

I have been reading lots on this site and seems like a great bunch of people here that I look forward to interacting with. If anyone has any advice on my current situation, I would be happy to hear any thoughts. Would also be interested in meeting up with someone in the area that can give me some first hand help if there is someone out there that is interested.

Happy New Year to all.

Jerry

Sounds like you are on the right track. Wait until you try the razors from whipped dog. That will let you know if your current razors are not shave ready. Keep going slow and taking it a bit at a time. The thing that will help the most is getting some one on one time with a mentor. I'm sure there are some people near you. Let us know how things develop.

Matt

Welcome to SRP. Take MattCB's advice and enjoy the ride. Should be easy to find a mentor in your area. At least you live in a good area for finding wet shaving supplies without going the mail order route. Good luck.

I live in Durham and started a straight razor group a couple of years ago. We have members from Cary, Chapel Hill, Winston-Salem and Asheville. If you need any help or want to join us in a meetup to learn more about shaving and honing, give me a PM.

Robert

Thanks Robert. PM on the way.
Dusty, where are the places you are alluding to for wet shaving supplies.
Jerry

There is a store called Opulence of Southern Pines, used to be in the Cary area but now in Raleigh. They are supposed to have a good selection of wet shaving items. Any locals here can correct me if I am wrong. Also several stores such as Loccitain(sp?) That carry their own brands. Again, ask around some of the locals, they may likely have better info than I can give for that area.

Hi and welcome. If you are worried about your stropping there are many ways that's you might be able to avoid some variables at the moment. If you have a hanging strop then you could lay it on a flat surface and use to avoid tension issues then you only need worry about the flip and going light. Practice with something blunt like a butter knife will help with muscle memory and to perfect the flip. A really long (100 linen and 100 leather) might help your current razors also. Maybe check out the stroptober thread at the beginning of the stropping forum also for some tips. Good luck and any other questions feel free to ask.

Welcome Jerrybass,
I am a member o the Raleigh area group Lindyhop mentoned. I'm happy to help as well. PM sent.

Originally Posted by DustySuds

There is a store called Opulence of Southern Pines, used to be in the Cary area but now in Raleigh. They are supposed to have a good selection of wet shaving items. Any locals here can correct me if I am wrong. Also several stores such as Loccitain(sp?) That carry their own brands. Again, ask around some of the locals, they may likely have better info than I can give for that area.

Yes, it has moved downtown to Cameron Village. Some of their items are marked up too high. However, tubes of Proraso go for about the same price. Even Castle Forbes is only about $5.00 more, so not that big of a difference. You see the disparity in the hardware, such as the razors, strops and brushes.

You can also get some shaving supplies at Southern Season in Chapel Hill and the vintage/new store next door. I still find the best deals online: shoeboxshaveshop, smallflower, westcoastshaving, thesuperiorshave, straightrazordesigns....