Hello all.
My name is Chris, but respond just fine to Crawler.

Let's see if I can long-story-short this...
1. Raised to be a gentleman.
2. Function over fashion.
3. Drawn to older ways/they don't build 'em like they use to. (Blacksmithing will be added as a hobby in the next decade.)
4. Practicality.
5. No str8 yet; Schik Quattro Titanium.

I am 28, it would take a month or longer to have something worth calling a goatee (for beard, see signature), only shave every 2-3 days, and I'm already sick & tired of throwing away cartridges. Oh yeah, and I have a big thing for precision (I bake, the wife cooks).

I think deduction brought me around to straights. Back when I got tired of going through so many cartridges from having to shave virtually twice a week, I went from Mach3's to Titanium Quattro's. They seemed to last longer. Stubble in the goatee area finally required the move from water to Barbersol w/aloe . The added precision of improved lube combined with throwing cartridges out at a higher rate to steer my train of thought towards a reusable maintainable option.

Am I rambling yet? Maybe not, but this might still be long-winded.

Anyway, after balking at the price of replacement cartridges recently, I started my research into SRs. Obviously that's how I came here, after a day messin around on Art of Manliness. More research branched out. Reputable makers, features for a noob, reviews of blades, availability locally if possible, price vs. quality sweet spot.

Best part so far, aside from this convenient source of knowledge, is that my wife caught on to the three or so times I mentioned looking into SR shaving (and the one time I used her Fromm hair shaver from cosmology school yrs ago w/guard removed), she bought me a puck of Van Der Haggen unscented soap when she got groceries last week! Might be a keeper.

She also frowned at the potential starting costs. I've already got a shopping list assembled.
The plan is for a Dovo 5/8 or 6/8 in a set/kit, to get quality at a good price ($200-250). To have a base-line, and for hygienic purposes, I'm starting on a new blade rather than used. Though I think I'll try to find a used locally to practice my hone 'n strop technique. I just hope the wife doesn't get me a GD for my birthday...

Train of thought derailed.

P.S. Why are Grim Blades a brand to avoid? I couldn't find any related info here. GD reasons were abundant, however.