Greetings from Chesapeake, Virginia!

Hello all, new member here from Chesapeake, Virginia. My name is Marc, and I have just begun shaving with a straight razor this week after having used DE safety razors (mostly vintage Gillettes) with soap and brush for the last 15 years or so. My straight razor is a Dovo Special 5/8 from Straight Razor Design and I have one of their 3" latigo strops as well.

Like most newbies, I'm definitely having some issues. However, I'm going to do some digging around in the forums and watch a few more videos before asking my specific questions. I got a copy of Lynn's video with my razor and I will watch that again as well.

I'm delighted that this resource exists and I'm looking forward to utilizing it to the utmost!

Marc;

Welcome to the SRP Forum! :)

Here is a link that will help you find other SRP members in your area, just insert your location and hit search now. Note that the user name listing in red is a mentor, if you should need any personal help.

Here is a link to the SRP Library. This will help you with pretty much anything relating to shaving with a straight razor.

Welcome to the world of straight razor shaving!

:gl:

Hello, Marc. Welcome to Straight Razor Place.

Welcome to SRP, Marc

Many thanks for the kind welcomes! Having done some more reading and watching videos, I just had my third shave and it was the best so far. I focused on keeping my angle down, avoiding pressure (in shaving and stropping) and taking my time. Much better than yesterday's!

Welcome Marc! I'm right down the road from you in Nags Head. I've been into SRs for 1 1/2 years, had used a brush and soap for years before that, but hadn't been back to a DE, let alone a SR for a long time. Now I go SR 4-5 days and a DE the rest of the time. I hope you continue to read and ask questions, There is a boatload of information here, including in posts from the past.

Again, welcome!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sqzbxr

Hello all, new member here from Chesapeake, Virginia. My name is Marc, and I have just begun shaving with a straight razor this week after having used DE safety razors (mostly vintage Gillettes) with soap and brush for the last 15 years or so. My straight razor is a Dovo Special 5/8 from Straight Razor Design and I have one of their 3" latigo strops as well.

Like most newbies, I'm definitely having some issues. However, I'm going to do some digging around in the forums and watch a few more videos before asking my specific questions. I got a copy of Lynn's video with my razor and I will watch that again as well.

I'm delighted that this resource exists and I'm looking forward to utilizing it to the utmost!

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Don't tell Lynn I lost his video but I like it because it gives you a panorama of everything involved with straight razor shaving. It takes the intimidation out of doing it.

Hi Marc & welcome to SRP. There's a wealth of information here if you go to the Library. It's good you got Lynn's dvd. I have it & it is very informative but you can also find a lot if you click on the Library tab above. It's also goody you got a straight & strop from SRD. It came shave ready honed by Lynn Plus you have a free honing for when it needs it which you already know. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. Good luck my friend!

Hi and welcome. Any questions feel free to ask.

Hello Marc welcome to SRP you have a host of helpful folks in here

Thanks again, everyone! Very good straight razor shave today - number four! Did two passes with the grain plus a third that was across the grain and a couple of spot touchups. No irritation, a couple of small shallow cuts due to inattention/tunnel vision, and a good quality of shave - although not yet as good as I can get with a double-edge safety razor and top-quality blades. In fact, I haven't used a safety razor at all since Wednesday. Most importantly, I did the whole left side of my face left-handed, with confidence, comfort, and control. I'm not good yet, by any stretch of the imagination - but I feel like I've definitely turned a corner!

The specs: pre-wash with Noxema then hot towels, Baume.be shave cream, 5/8 Dovo Special, alum, Nivea post-shave balm, Pinaud Clubman.

Welcome to SRP!

Just a quick follow up: I debated wether or not to skip today so my battle damage from my first three shaves could heal up, but decided to do a quick shave anyways. One pass WTG, one pass XTG and a couple of spot touch ups. Getting much closer to SE quality and am much more comfortable with this, especially the left hand. Best part - no blood! Thanks again, everyone!

That's good news! I'm sure things will continue to improve if you keep at it as muscle memory accumulates. It is somewhat of a daunting process at first. Imagine starting with no internet or other support as your mentor.