Thread: Hello from NJ

Hello everyone, I'm Matt.

I'm looking into getting into straight razor shaving. I had a teammate of mine give me a hair cut about a month ago and he finished it up with a straight razor. Best hair cut I've ever had. Got me to thinking that I should look into learning to shave with a straight razor.

I've read most of, if not all of the beginner stuff on here and I was curious about one thing. I generally keep a short beard at all times and when I do shave its primarily just my neck to keep a nice line on the bottom of the beard. I read in the beginners section to start up at your sideburns and only do that for the first few days and progress from there. Is it ok to start with the neck and learn from there? I've only been fully clean shaven once in the last 4 years so it's not usually a look I go for.

I also have not purchased anything yet but I was looking at the Dovo Bismarck to start with. I think it's a beautiful razor but is it a good razor to start with?

Thanks!

Hi Matt, welcome to SRP. Yet another guy from Jersey in only a week. Choosing a Dovo Bismark as your first razor is certainly a fine choice. Just a word of advice make sure you purchase it from a vendor that ensures that its "shave ready". A factory edge may or may not be and if its not, might frustrate your early beginnings as a straight razor user. Do a little research check out our forum library and inform yourself on how to start on the right path. Look for a razor either 5/8 or 6/8 in size for easier handling. Do look over our classified section for a good starter razor. Right now there are some great deals on razors that would be every bit as good as the Dovo you seek and honed by some of our reputable members. I would think there would be a great razor for a beginner if you fancy any of them. I wish you lots of luck and enjoyment. Once you get bitten by the Razor bug shaving is just so much more fun. Enjoy the forum post and ask questions all will be revealed.
Cheers

Hi and welcome aboard. I actually started just shaving the neck and cheeks so you can do it. The Bismarck is fine to start with just as said make sure that it has been hand honed and not factory shave ready. Good luck and any questions feel free to ask

Thanks guys!

I was going to order from SRD so that it comes pre honed and ready to shave from the start. I guess I'll just make sure I prep properly and take my time when I start and learn as much as I can while doing it. It's good to know that I should be able to learn on my neck (that sounds terrifying lol)

If your just edging around a beard you should be fine. The first time you do an up stroke from your Adams apple to chin might get your heart pounding a little. Enjoy your razor. SRD will provide you with a good edge after that its all you. Im sure you will do just fine.

Welcome to the forum.

Welcome aboard Matt. You will be okay. I sport a Van Dyke & it is usually okay but like Razorfaust said, I always take a little more time around my adams apple.

The problem is soon you will want to shave more but only be doing the edges. That is the reason I now only have a goatee

Originally Posted by eddy79

The problem is soon you will want to shave more but only be doing the edges. That is the reason I now only have a goatee

Haha I hope thats the case and then I'll start shaving it all off!