Greetings from SoCal

Hi everyone, and thank you for your contributions in making this such a valuable resource for shaving.


In terms of wet shaving, I started in mid teens, and have been using some combination of Sensor, and Mach III for the last 20 years. I didn't enjoy it very much and would shave as infrequently as possible. Shaving every day brought razor burn. Not shaving would bring irritation and discomfort. My happy medium was every few days - I'd prep and rub the cartridge up down and around, and my hair would fall off. I felt utterly passive and realize now that I didn't actually know how to shave. Electric shavers never worked for me so it was blades or nothing.


A few years back I bought a Simpsons Commodore x2, and started using pre shave oil and cream (Truefitt Ultimate Comfort). This improved things greatly in terms of skin irritation but I'm working in a job where I need to be well presented, more often than not. And the cartridges were a chore and resented.


I bit the bullet and bought a TI Durandel 6/8 and started shaving. Didn't know anything about stopping, honing, or "shave ready". So things didn't go as well as planned. Rash like 3rd degree burns, cuts, and a lot of bloodshed.


I started online research and found this place. I ordered a couple of shave ready blades - a Hart 6/8 squand point, and Esbjerg-Koraat 8/8 French Point (feels like a cleaver compared to the others but such nice hardware - makes me more attentive and I think this helps me shave better). Both are beautiful to use - much sharper and this has helped me learn the techniques much better. I can do a passable job from cheekbone to jaw, and am learning to shave around the nose, mouth, and chin. My stropping technique is lacking but I'm practicing every day. I bought a DE razor also with feather blades and am learning about angles, pressure, and so on. I look forward to shaving every day and have been experimenting with different creams and soaps (Baum.Be, and Castle Forbes creams are favorites at this point).


I've gone from loathing the chore of shaving to actively enjoying and looking forward to it. Still lots of things to do and learn but wanted to say hello and show my appreciation for what's happening here.

Hi and welcome. Any questions feel free to ask and good luck with your shaves

Glad to have you on board. Freddie

Just down the street from you :<0) There is a few of us close by if you need to know/see anything. Sounds like you got it going.

Welcome to the forum.

Welcome, we have a small but active group in So. Cal, from San Francisco to San Diego.

Let us know if you need help.

Hi from down the street (Lakewood). Just learning too :)

Thanks so much, guys. I'm in mid city LA area if anyone is around there. Very much at the early stages and am grateful for the advice already here and for any help that might come in the future.

Welcome to the forum!