Thread: Just Joined Up!

Hi! My name is Gary and I've been wet shaving with safety razors for a while now and didn't think I'd ever be interested in straights but I was wrong, as usual. Trying to gather information now so I can pick me out a good one and get started. I'm a wood carver so I've learned how to get my knives scary sharp. Hopefully I can eventually get the hang of razor honing too. That will come later though. First I have to get the hang of not carving my face! I'll likely be back soon, asking questions. So long for now.
Gary

Hello Gary.....

WELCOME to SRP!!!
Read up on all the info offered here. Ask questions.
Knife honing and razor honing are 2 different ball games.
Take baby steps......arm yourself with knowledge.

Welcome to SRP!
Start your reading with the Beginner's Section in Library. It will answer a lot of your questions. And of course, feel free to ask us anything.

Welcome and enjoy your journey

Welcome and congratulations for entering the world of best shaves. Lots of information here and some great eye candy razors.

Welcome. Don't know your budget but a good first razor would be a Ralf Aust (5/8 round point) from Straight Razor Design. It will come shave ready. You will also need a strop, brush and Shaving soap. Like the other members said watch the videos read and ask questions. Honeing will come much later. Nothing like sharpening a knife. When ready practice honeing on an inexpensive razor and not your good one. You can also use it to practice with the strop.
Good luck

Hi neighbor, and welcome to the forum. I am just south of you, in Petersburg, IN. +1 on all the above advise. Just take it slow, and try to learn one thing at a time in shaving with a straight. If you try to learn to many things at once, when you run into a problem, you will not know exactly where the problem is. So take your time, and enjoy the journey!!

Welcome , keep reading and mist if your questions will be answered, go slow and make informed decisions in the beginning. Your knowledge of sharpening knives will help some, but just remember where you think a knife is scary sharp is really no where near what a razor is. It's a different type edge. But you are on the right path, learn to strop and how to shave, that's the most important thing to do now,, you need to know what a shave ready edge is first, so good luck and try to hook up with someone in your area to help you a little. Tc

Hi and welcome aboard. Any questions feel free to ask

Originally Posted by Parker51

Hi! My name is Gary and I've been wet shaving with safety razors for a while now and didn't think I'd ever be interested in straights but I was wrong, as usual. Trying to gather information now so I can pick me out a good one and get started. I'm a wood carver so I've learned how to get my knives scary sharp. Hopefully I can eventually get the hang of razor honing too. That will come later though. First I have to get the hang of not carving my face! I'll likely be back soon, asking questions. So long for now.
Gary

Learn to strop.

I unfortunately came across some 'stropping isn't really neccessary" information early on and i fell for it hook line and sinker. After re-reading some information in the SRP library i realized i was letting my edges go.

Stropping a professionally honed razor is like putting butter on your hot pancakes.. not stropping.. like crisco on cold toast.

Also as a newbie myself i would suggest using Straight Razor Designs as your single source for supplies until you get familiar with who sells what and has a good reputation. There are other reputable sites out there but SRD has just about everything you could need to get started. I tried to spread it around a little when i got into this and ended up returning a few items due to quality. Best advice? Stay away from Amazon..

I've never had a problem with a purchase from SRD, and it is easy to find information for their products because a lot of folks here use them.

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