Thread: New member from Hampshire, England

After a few years of gradual enlightenment - I was bought a DE 'starter' set for Christmas 2011 and it snowballed from there - I'm finally dipping a toe into straight razor shaving. I've used the Feather Artist Club system in the past - favouring the SS model over the RG - but never completely took to it. My current 'daily' razor is a Mongoose B2 with Kai or Feather AC blades.

I've now bought myself a Heljestramd Mk. 31 and hopefully have a Westholme strop on the way. In a little under a month's time it'll be the school holidays (I'm a teacher) and I'll have six weeks off. I figure that this would be a good time to begin my steps towards straight razor proficiency. Thus I'll be spending the next three or four weeks studying the SRP archives and no doubt viewing countless YouTube videos on stropping and shaving.

The razor I've come into ownership does need a bit of work. The scales don't close true, there are marks on the blade, and there is a slight nick towards the toe. I dearly hope for the pastiche of the maker that its problems a) aren't terminal, and b) won't be exacerbated by my custodianship. I'm very much aware of my own incompetence and inexperience, and want to do this 'the right way'. Hence joining up to this neck of the woods.

In terms of my background, I'm a 27 year old secondary school teacher. I live with my girlfriend of 2 years (although we've known each other for about a decade) in a little rented house in a small commuter town in Hampshire. We're looking to buy and this has meant that I've cut back on some fairly consuming acquisition disorders. But trialling a straight razor is something I've intended to do for a loft time now.

My current brush lineup is a Thäter 2-Band Silvertip (4125/1) and the Plisson Synthetic in an acetate handle. I actually have two of the latter in alternative colour options. Soap-wise, I've minimised down to Martin de Candre, Palmolive Classic (grated soap sticks), and Institut Karité. Aftershaves: Myrsol Agua Balsamica, Pitralon Swiss, Speick ASL. Fragrances: 4711 Cologne, Guerlain Vetiver edt, Serge Lutens Chergui.

Anyway, onto some pictures.

The razor:



Note the nick that's troubling me:



My favourite 'safety' razors:

Welcome aboard mate.
If you need any help feel free to pm me & I'll give you some mentoring.
I'm in Basingstoke Hampshire.
Cheers Paul

Hi Ben, you won't go wrong calling on all the expertise of these guys the most helpful individuals to be found on any shaving forum.

Originally Posted by Sharp&Shiny

Welcome aboard mate.
If you need any help feel free to pm me & I'll give you some mentoring.
I'm in Basingstoke Hampshire.
Cheers Paul

I'll be making use of that kind offer! I live in Hook - so not much of a drive!

Welcome to SRP. There are lots of members on your side of the world and a world of gentlemen here on the forum to help you. Post any questions you have and enjoy.

And it looks like you have the gear pretty much figured out! Welcome!

Originally Posted by celticcrusader

Hi Ben, you won't go wrong calling on all the expertise of these guys the most helpful individuals to be found on any shaving forum.

Thanks, Jamie. However, I must admit that it has been drooling over your razor photographs for the last 4 years that has in part fuelled this little jaunt!

Originally Posted by ReardenSteel

Welcome to SRP. There are lots of members on your side of the world and a world of gentlemen here on the forum to help you. Post any questions you have and enjoy.

Thanks! There will be plenty of questions, I can assure you of that. Hopefully not all of them daft.

Originally Posted by Haroldg48

And it looks like you have the gear pretty much figured out! Welcome!

Well, I've spent a lot of time (invested?) reading... I thought of ordering a Sight Unseen Razor and Poor Man's Strop from Larry at Whipped Dog - I've bought a brush from him in the past and it was superb - but the Heljestrand was an excellent price.

Unfortunately, I reckon it does need some work on it to sort out the scales and that nick - perhaps some cosmetic work on those marks also - which is far beyond my pay grade for now.

Welcome to the forum. Nice to see someone who has invested their time wisely researching straight razor shaving before jumping in. Looks like it paid dividends in the gear you have selected. I am sure between yourself and your mentor you'll have that razor sorted in no time. Hope you find learning to shave with a SR as enjoyable and satisfying as I have.

Bob