Thread: Greetings from St. Louis!

Hello everyone, I'm Neal, and I live in the St. Louis area. I threw away the carts a little over a year ago in favor of safety razors and blades. Loved it. My experience with straight razors includes using a Feather SS kamisori style and, today for the first time, a traditional straight razor. I also have a kamisori that needs honed and I plan on finally breaking it out after getting more experience with the traditional. I'm using the straight as part of a focus on a forum, but plan to stick with it beyond the focus to master it. I never thought I would be interested in straights but find myself drawn more to them. So, here I am, one shave under my belt with no blood and looking forward to learning all I can. Great to be here.

Hi there Neal. Nice to see you.

Thanks. Figured I'd come on over and get acquainted. The power of the dark side is great! lol

It's only dark after a mistake. Blood loss does that to a person. You should be fine but that Soviet razor is scary. You may want EMS standing by for that one. Traditional straights are easier then the feather(pain stick). At least most of them are. Should I hone up that aluminum beer bottle tomorrow? Might be smoother then that soviet thing.

I have already realized how much forgiveness traditional has over the pain sticks. Getting up on the tip with a pain stick is instant blood. I made that error this morning and no blood at all. I have EMS on alert for the Soviet shaves as well as a room reserved in my favorite hospital. Might as well hone that bottle. If the Soviet tries to kill me I may want to compare.

I'll start cutting out a kamisori shape and honing it tomorrow. You're good with a wedge right?

Yep. Works for me.

Welcome. I'm new here too. I've been using a straight razor 45 years and my advice is don't give up. Once you get your technique and muscle movements down pat you will have the best shaves imaginable. When you do get nicked try to remember exactly how it happened and correct your movements next time. For example as a boy my first attempt ATG I used quite a bit of tissue papers on my face because I wanted to hog it all off in one pass. Lesson learned.

Lots of good info in the library about shaving and quality razors etc. Great advice from true gents if you can't find the info there. Greetings and seasons greetings. Enjoy the journey.

Welcome NCoxSTL! The learning curve can be steep but it is an enjoyable journey. Have fun, pay attention and learn from each shave.
Lots of info here and plenty of fast, friendly help! Just ask!

Newell