New from Wales :-)

Hello everyone

Ive just joined the forum and this is my first introductory post, Ive been wet shaving with either disposables or mach 3 type blades for the past 30 years, and Ive grown dissilusioned with both the shave I'm getting and the rising costs of the blades (I did a quick calculation of how much I've actually spent on blades the past 30 years and its frightened me)!

I live in a small town in Wales UK, and i always regret not having a 'propper razor shave' off a traditional barber we had in our town (who like many other traditional businesses closed down many years ago), I used to get my hair cut there and saw his shaving paraphernalia, but never plucked the courage up to have it done.

The past month I have decided that I will take the plunge and have a go for myself, mainly because i like the challenge, like the thought of learning a new life skill, and utterly begrudge buying blades to throw them into a land fill site within a few days, I also like the idea of buying something vintage and putting it into good use again.

Ive watched several 'how to' tutorials on youtube, but have yet to actually buy anything, Im watching several straight cut throat 'shave ready' razors on ebay, but I'd really like some help and advice of what to look out for in a first cut throat.

Also I have several slightly raised moles on my face which the mach 3 type blades pass over with no problems, I just wondered how would a straight razor fare? (i remember nicking one of them many years ago in my early shaving days and bleeding like a pig!

Welcome to the SRP you have definitely come to the right place there's always help at hand enjoy the journey.

Hello, saltpoolfilms! Welcome to Straight Razor Place.

Ebay can be a tricky place to purchase a razor. There is a lot of junk out there and you really have to know what you are looking at spot the good among all the junk. Also, the sellers will often list an item as shave ready when it's really not shave ready.

My suggestion is buy get your razor from a reputable vendor or find something you like in the classifieds here at SRP. Hopefully one of the UK members can point out some good vendors near you.

Welcome aboard mate.This is a very helpful & friendly place to learn how to get all the help you may need to get the hang of straight razor or wet shaving in general.
Cheers Paul

Welcome to SRP!
Definitely don't get your first razor from ebay. Start with a razor from a reputable vendor that hand sharpens the blade.

If you haven't done so already, check out the beginner's section in the library. It will answer a lot of starter questions. Feel free to ask us anything that you need more information about.

We will get you up and shaving soon.

Welcome!!

+1 on buying your first razor from a known good vendor or the classifieds here

Here are some users from Wales http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...sername&order=

Look for users with high post counts and recent visits, you might be able to find lots of help locally

Welcome, and good luck learning to shave the 'proper' way.
I kinda' got a chuckle when you mentioned saving money on blades. I said the same thing once, only to spend twice as much on straight razors & all the other jazz that goes with them! It's true, ask my Wife!
:rofl2:

Hearty Welcome Salt, If you came to save $ on shaving, hehe, I did too and found that you spend a little more than you thought, or a Lot more as some here are not frugal.

Welcome to the learning and fun of straight razor shaving. The mole thing, maybe a Dr. specialist?

Many thanks Cris, Iwas up until the early hours last night reading the beginner's section, some interesting hints and tips there for me.

Firefighter2 I think the penny's just dropped on the whole 'money saving' issue, still not put off, the wife spends a fortune on make up shoes and hand bags, its only fair I have something in my life!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by saltpoolfilms

Firefighter2 I think the penny's just dropped on the whole 'money saving' issue, still not put off, the wife spends a fortune on make up shoes and hand bags, its only fair I have something in my life!!

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:hmmm: .......Your Wife sounds a lot like my Wife!

Welcome to the forum saltpoolfilms! Where exactly are you? Firstly, don't expect to save any money doing this!! How expensive it gets though, is in your hands. One good razor, one good strop and in theory, you're done. That is unlikely though. You'll probably want different makes, styles of razor and maybe extra strops. Then there's the soaps/creams, brushes, maybe scuttles, oils, then maybe hones... and on it can go!

Anyway, read everything you can, absorb the info and don't be afraid to ask questions. Good luck mate.

H saltpoolfilms
I see everyone has been of some help & many of them are in your area so get with them. Before you buy, get some advice, ask questions.
Great to have you here.
Good luck my friend.

Hi and welcome aboard. You can in theory save money. You can get away with 2 razors a strop and brush ans soaps etc can be had in samples for trying. Vintage razors can be brought and sold for about the same cost if you decide to try and find different things you like and a quality strop is a lifetime purchase.

The problem starts when you like all you try and give nothing up the start collecting stones, colognes, razors etc. I always said I would clean the razors up and move along what I disliked but have only sold one and I had 2 of them.

There are plenty of collectors here and plenty that keep it simple. Where you fit is your choice but no matter what we will help you sort what you need for a great shave. Start slow and minimal and once you can shave then go explore all the possibilities or otherwise you will be always trying to learn new items while trying to learn to shave and it will take longer. Good luck and any questions feel free to ask

Im up North Wayne394, where we speak real Welsh and are twice as hairy as anyone else!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by saltpoolfilms

Im up North Wayne394, where we speak real Welsh and are twice as hairy as anyone else!!

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Wel yna, croeso i'r fforum! ;)


Mick

Diolch yn fawr iawn Mick x

Croeso


Mick

Actually it's pretty even the number of Welsh speakers in South Wales that there are in North Wales we also sound better Croseo Cymro blewog. ;)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...Welsh-speakers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DLqN1RvfUc

Now if only that had been read in Cymraeg ;)


Mick

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MickR

Now if only that had been read in Cymraeg ;)


Mick

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Mick here's my favourite Welsh Lullaby sang in Welsh of course.



To my lullaby surrender,
Warm and tender is my breast;
Mother's arms with love caressing
Lay their blessing on your rest;
Nothing shall tonight alarm you,
None shall harm you, have no fear;
Lie contented, calmly slumber
On your mother's breast my dear.

Here tonight I tightly hold you
And enfold you while you sleep,
Why, I wonder, are you smiling
Smiling in your slumber deep?
Are the angels on you smiling
And beguiling you with charm,
While you also smile, my blossom,
In my bosom soft and warm?

Have no fear now, leaves are knocking,
Gently knocking at our door;
Have no fear now, waves are beating,
Gently beating on the shore.
Sleep, my darling, none shall harm you
Nor alarm you, never
And beguiling those on high.

https://youtu.be/n-F9hKsw-KI

Saltpoolsfilms, where exactly are you? I know some areas of Gog land quite well. I lived near Wrexham for a while and my daughter still lives up there. I think you may be the first Gog in the forum! :beer1:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by celticcrusader

Mick here's my favourite Welsh Lullaby sang in Welsh of course.



To my lullaby surrender,
Warm and tender is my breast;
Mother's arms with love caressing
Lay their blessing on your rest;
Nothing shall tonight alarm you,
None shall harm you, have no fear;
Lie contented, calmly slumber
On your mother's breast my dear.

Here tonight I tightly hold you
And enfold you while you sleep,
Why, I wonder, are you smiling
Smiling in your slumber deep?
Are the angels on you smiling
And beguiling you with charm,
While you also smile, my blossom,
In my bosom soft and warm?

Have no fear now, leaves are knocking,
Gently knocking at our door;
Have no fear now, waves are beating,
Gently beating on the shore.
Sleep, my darling, none shall harm you
Nor alarm you, never
And beguiling those on high.

https://youtu.be/n-F9hKsw-KI

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I once thought Suo Gan was sung a church song based on watching Empire of the Sun. A couple of years ago I learned it was a Welsh lullaby and Christian Bale was not the voice you hear in the film. Anyway, it's a really nice sounding song.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wayne394

Saltpoolsfilms, where exactly are you? I know some areas of Gog land quite well. I lived near Wrexham for a while and my daughter still lives up there. I think you may be the first Gog in the forum! :beer1:

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No Wayne there's another Gog Huw from Pwllheli he hasn't been around for a while though.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by celticcrusader

No Wayne there's another Gog Huw from Pwllheli he hasn't been around for a while though.

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I stand corrected. :angel:

Welcome to the forum. Are the raised moles in an area that you can easily shave around?

I can't give you any advice from experience unfortunately, but I would say you need to be careful in that area - you don't have the benefit of a safety bar with a straight.