Thread: Hi newcomer from Scotland !!!

Hi I am completely new to the world of wet shaving I used safety razors but the irritation on my face was unreal so bought an electric razor I recently went for a hot towel shave ... This is the best shave I have had in years but costing £16 a go it was not economic to have this shave every day or even week so I have been looking at cut throat razors and will have a new one by next week hurray !!! I signed up for tips on everything to do with open razor shaving... I have a bunch of stuff my grandfather left me so it's time to put it to good use

Hi and welcome to SRP! Whereabouts in Scotland are you? I spent six fantastic years as a postgrad in St Andrews and have been missing your country terribly. I ask that partly out of curiosity and partly because adding your location may help find someone local to give advice and guidance.

Make sure you read through the beginners section, as well as the "Helpful Links" section at the top left of the SRP home page. There is a ton of useful info there.

When you get your new straight razor, make sure that it is either honed by a professional prior to shipping, or send it out to be honed properly prior to first use. Please don't make the mistake I did and endure many miserable months before getting my first one honed.

What kind of gear did you inherit from your grandfather? There are few things that can make other SRP member more envious than inherited gear. Look after it well!

Good luck ,
Kris

Hi Clumybaby. Welcome to Straight Razor Place!

Welcome to SRP. I'd suggest you don't give up on the DE. If you master the DE, assuming you're using a shaving brush and a lather bowl, you'll have more of the fundamentals learned as you work into the straight. The key with both is a shave ready edge, and a light touch. Skin stretching techniques are necessary for straight razor shaving and beneficial with the DE. You can practice that too with both systems. Perhaps the DE blade you were using wasn't the best for you, and/or excess pressure. That will always lead to irritation. A blade sampler pack, available from internet vendors, can give you many to choose from to find the one that suits you best.

Would just like to thank you all for the warm welcome :£

I never got a straight razor my grandfathers skin was to frail in his later days .. He ended on disposables but I acquired a soap dish brushes some syptic matches the strop is now cracked and dry but it is a nice reminder of my younger days my grandfather had Parkinson's before I could shave so I never got taught and my dad wasn't aloud a straight razor as he was a submariner in the Royal Navy

Well, it's nice that you at least have a few pleasant reminders of good times with family. I don't know much about it myself, but I know some guys get old & dried up strops back to working condition with a couple drops of neatsfoot oil. You'd be surprised what can be done to breathe life back into utilitarian items made back when virtually nothing was considered "disposable"!

I caution you: do a LOT of reading before attempting any sort of restoration projects!! Especially on family heirlooms!

And welcome to what is possibly the best forum on the internet!

Hi Clumybaby & welcome to SRP. You have gotten some great advice so far & read up on everything you can here. Be patient & take you time. You will be getting great shaves before yo know it. Any questions about anything shave related, just ask away. Great to have you here.
Good luck my friend.

Welcome to the forum.

Welcome!!

Here's a list of other Scottish members http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...astvisit&pp=50

With straight razor shaving it can be VERY useful to have someone show you the ropes, maybe you'll get lucky and find someone close to you. Otherwise there are many useful video's and other info in the Wiki and library