Thread: Hello from Seattle!

Hello everyone!

I got into wet shaving a little over a year ago and have been hooked ever since. I been into collecting and sharpening knives for a few years and would always test to see if a knife was sharp enough by shaving some hair off my arm and thought this is fun why not try this on my face haha. I previously used an electric shaver before using a DE and straight. I have never used a cartridge. This is an expensive but fun hobby (lots of fun things to collect). I am a big fan of this forum and have been lurking on here for awhile now and figured I should say hello.

-Brandon

Welcome to SRP! There are quite a few of us in the Pacific NW area. Sounds like you are off to a good start.

Welcome from Walla Walla WA!

As Matt said you will find several members of SRP here in Washington State.

As you found with your experiment with using a knife to shave your face with, the difference between knives and straight razors is black and white. I'm a former meat cutter and after waiting about a year and a half to learn to hone my straight razor I thought that it wouldn't be any problem. Guess what? Big Problem.

I think that the best advice I can give you is to make sure that your razor is truly 'Shave Ready' and take your time. It's not a race! The wonderful shaves that you read about will come, it just takes time and patience.

If I can be of any help with you learning this age old art please let me know.

Sanfte Rasur, mein Klingenbruder!

(Smooth Shaving My Brother In Blades)

Thanks for the warm welcomes guys!

Thanks for the good advice cudarunner!

I am starting to get more and more comfortable with a straight razor it is definably taking me some time and I still cannot get a perfect shave without finishing up with a DE. I have followed Lynn's advice just starting off with the cheeks and now that I have been at it on and off for about 6 months I am finally getting more comfortable around the contours of my face, chin and neck. It starting to get more and more fun as I get better. I defiantly cut myself a few times in the beginning and I get tiny cuts here and there but nothing too bad just a bit stingy when the alum block hits it.

I am excited to start to learn to hone some of my old straight razors. I will be watching Lynn's honing videos for a reference point he makes it look too easy but I have a feeling there will be quite a learning curve. I will be using some Naniwa Specialty stones.

Hi Brandon & welcome aboard. It sounds like you already have been getting some good info if you have been lurking awhile. Just keep on doing what you're doing & if you can, find someone near you to get some one on one mentoring. Nothing beats some hands on help! Glad to know you have never used a cartridge. They are way too expensive plus you get the closest, smoothest shave with a straight when honed & stropped correctly. Great to have you here.
Any questions, just ask.
Good luck my friend.

Hello and welcome aboard.

Hi, Brandon, and welcome aboard to what I think is the finest forum on wet shaving there is!!

Hi and welcome. If you can find someone to give one on one help with honing you can save yourself a lot of time and effort stuffing around unsure if you have it right or not. Good luck and any questions feel free to ask

Welcome. There are meets every fall in your general area. They are the best place to learn and meet members. I know you will have a lot learned before the next one, but perhaps some really deep questions too.

Hi and welcome Brandon! Sounds like you are indeed off to a great start!

Take a peek here:

2015 Seattle Convention is a Wrap - Seattle Shave Convention

Third Annual Seattle Shave Con is coming likely in/around September of '16 and this Meet has been growing in leaps and bounds every year due to MattCB's diligence and persistence. If you can make it this is something you do not want to miss!

Shawn
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