I need another hobby like a hole in the head...

but this is so freaking cool!!

Hello all, I am Aaron from Tampa. I was a long time user of those single bladed orange Bic razors, because the multi-blade contraptions shredded my neck. I was doing ok from the standpoint of avoiding irritation, but I viewed shaving as a chore. I would avoid it when I could get away with it, and rush through it as quickly as possible when I could no longer put it off.

Shortly after starting my medical residency at USF, a colleague introduced me to traditional shaving techniques. I felt as if it was almost a right of passage. I started with a Merkur 20C, and sampled a few blades. I was interested in straights from the start, though. I'm not sure why, but I feel like that's where I belong.

I finally got the Ralf Aust 5/8" with the 3" black Latigo strop for Christmas. Now, I'm 7 shaves in with no major incidents (other than the standard learning curve) and have been bitten by the bug. I just purchased a very nice (well used but fully functional) Filarmonica 13 Novodur on Ebay, and can't wait to receive it! :rock:

I already have questions, but will post them in other threads. Thanks for reading, and I look forward to learning from you all!

Welcome to the habit.

Welcome Doc. And you will enjoy the new addiction... I mean hobby.

Welcome to SRP. Sounds like you're off to a great start. :tu

Welcome. Yes it is an addiction. We have a 12,000 step program to cure the addiction but people seem hesitant to utilize it.

Answers, opinions, dissensions and contrariness all given freely and often, so ask any question, other than the meaning of life. Last Mentor that tried to answer that is undergoing extreme psychiatric care. We expect him back any decade now.

Do hope that you will at least read the FAQ in the Library to help you formulate your learning package.

As a resident, you'll be able to save money by doing your own stitches!

Hi and welcome aboard.

Welcome to SRP and another addiction.

Welcome!!
You do realize we are all enablers to your soon to be habits..

Thanks all!

Good call about the sutures. My wife is a resident as well, so I'm sure she's just waiting for me to cut myself so she can spring into action. :p

I just finished ordering the necessary items to refresh the edge. I noticed last night's shave had a good bit of tugging, and was not near as comfortable as the first few shaves. Got some nano cloth strops, chromium oxide, and .125 CBN coming to play around with. Very excited! I get the feeling this is just the beginning.

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Originally Posted by rodb

Welcome!!
You do realize we are all enablers to your soon to be habits..

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Thanks Rod! I see from your avatar that we share another money pit/hobby. I recently sold a Gibson SG to acquire an Ibanez Prestige.

Maybe even worse than razors!!
I've gotten my collection down to manageable size finally.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DocMartin0321

Thanks Rod! I see from your avatar that we share another money pit/hobby. I recently sold a Gibson SG to acquire an Ibanez Prestige.

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Hi Aaron & welcome to SRP! It sounds like you're ahead of some other guys already! You have started with a good razor & have got another on the way which is the thing to do, that way you'll have a spare for when one is being honed. You're definitely in the right field if you cut yourself. There are plenty of people here to help & if you have any questions, feel free to ask. If you need the Filly honed let me know or also there are other people here to help you out but i see you might have that covered already. By the way, where in the United States are you? That would be a big help for a mentor to help you out!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by engine46

Hi Aaron & welcome to SRP! It sounds like you're ahead of some other guys already! You have started with a good razor & have got another on the way which is the thing to do, that way you'll have a spare for when one is being honed. You're definitely in the right field if you cut yourself. There are plenty of people here to help & if you have any questions, feel free to ask. If you need the Filly honed let me know or also there are other people here to help you out but i see you might have that covered already. By the way, where in the United States are you? That would be a big help for a mentor to help you out!

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Thanks engine! I'm in Tampa working at the James A Haley VA (fixed my profile). My Filly was advertised as "shave ready", so we'll see.

Hopefully it's at least close, so I can play with my new nano cloth strops. :beer1:

Being in Florida, there are two Mentors handy for your use. Please talk and hopefully meet with one of them before you do anything yourself to your razors. Razor honing is more particular and finicky than a major operation.

Hirlau (South Florida)
Double0757 (South Florida)

Excellent, thanks! The warm welcome is much appreciated.

Welcome, Doc! Look forward to seeing you around. You are in for a life-enriching experience.