Thread: Hello to everybody from Bonn (Germany)!

I have been shaving with a Mach3 for several years (and hated costs & waste), until I grew a full beard about two years ago. Eventually I got tired of it and went back to a henriquatre-ish beard yesterday.
Since I got a knife bug in another (german bicycle) forum, I decided it was about time to get my hands on a SR and was delighted to find out about the SRP.
I promise I'm going to browse this forum, FAQ, look for a senior member or mentor in my area etc., but maybe somebody is in the mood to give me some advice on these thoughts right now:

For my first SR I intend to search the classifieds for a used, preferably old, SR with carbon steel blade, w/o plastic scales nor fancy engravings/gold (I will likely mess that up learning to hone it). A SR with round head is often advised to beginners, but I am wondering if it's any good for working out the contours of my henriquarte-ish beard?
Anything in the classifieds you'd like to point out to me? I haven't decided on a budget yet, but I don't want to ruin something that's too pretty & pricey. ;-)

Welcome to Straight Razor Place, Wizard!

I think you are on the right track looking for a vintage blade. A round point may be easier but don't rule out a square point if you see something that looks good.

Welcome to the forum!

Classifieds are a good place to start, just make sure that it is indicated as a "shave ready" razor, some of them are not shave ready for a variety of reasons. Sounds like you have perused the forum pretty well so far.

I have the same beard style at the moment, I have no issues shaving around it. It is mainly figuring out your razor and what techniques work well in specific areas. Also, a good strop is important.

I would work on getting good with the shaving and maintaining the blade with the strop before trying to hone. There are a few members nearby if my memory serves.

Good luck!

Welcome from SE Washington State USA.

I have a friend in Germany who I'm sure will be most happy to help you. He's in Morers

Send me a PM and I'll give you his address here. (I'm very protective of others privacy).

You will find this age old art both challenging and rewarding.

It's a long strange road but well worth the journey

Welcome to the forum.

Hi and welcome aboard. Sounds like you have already made some good decisions. If you do want to go the honing route start with touching up the razor with a high grit hone and work back from there. Any questions feel free to ask and good luck

Thank you for the welcome guys!

Originally Posted by dinnermint

Classifieds are a good place to start, just make sure that it is indicated as a "shave ready" razor, some of them are not shave ready for a variety of reasons.

I have the same beard style at the moment, I have no issues shaving around it. It is mainly figuring out your razor and what techniques work well in specific areas. Also, a good strop is important.

Yes, I will definitively look for something "shave ready". My results with our kitchen knifes on a cheap japanese wet stone and old leather belt (+ chromium oxide) were sub par, my spyderco sharpmaker probably isn't the first choice for a SR. I'm going for an upgrade of stones and honing strop later, but get a good razor strop together with the SR. I will do some research on that.

Originally Posted by dinnermint

There are a few members nearby if my memory serves.

I will check the member search again later, unfortunately with a lot of people it says just "Germany", so I guess it takes some time to find out who lives close by.

Originally Posted by cudarunner

I have a friend in Germany who I'm sure will be most happy to help you. He's in Morers

Send me a PM and I'll give you his address here. (I'm very protective of others privacy).

I will do that, thank you!

Welcome to SRP!
It sounds like you are starting off the smart way, research and slow.
While it is advised that you start off with a round point, you can do whatever you want. You just have to be more careful with the tip of square point, those tips like to bite your ears and nose. Just be ready with styptic pen or alum block.

Feel free to ask us any questions that you have, we are here to help.

Originally Posted by criswilson10

It sounds like you are starting off the smart way, research and slow.

Well, you might also call it the OCD-way, but still, thanks. ;-D

Hi Wizzard, Welcome to SRP from 80km more down the Rhine :-D