Hello.
I've lurked here for a few months and finally moved on to the point where I needed to ask specific advice and thus create an account. I've found the wealth of knowledge including the library and FAQ pages extraordinarily helpful.
I originally learned to shave with the old disposable cheap plastic crap. As I moved into college, time became more important and I purchased a nice electrical razor. I've been content with it for roughly the last 15 years or so. I recently went to purchase new blades for it and discovered that they were discontinued. I had a haircut roughly the same time and knew that my barber used a straight razor for the back of my neck and a couple other small spots. I've since found out it was a shavette which I didn't even know existed at the time. I hit him up for a full shave (minus my goatee) and was very impressed with the results. At this point I began researching straight razors for my routine shaving.
I was astounded at the prices for razors only knowing enough to look at new items. However, a few articles I read mentioned the heirloom quality of razors and how you can hand them down to your grandkids. Well heck, I'm a grandkid. I have no grandfathers alive but I have one grandmother and her mother alive. I contacted my grandmother and she said that my grandfather had not used a straight but that her daddy had. It was in her possession and I was welcome to it. I went to get it and found it in fair condition. Dirty yes but solid. A little research showed that it was an early Wade and Butcher which way pre-dated my great-grandfather. I contacted my great-grandmother and discovered that the razor had actually been her fathers and he had given it to my great-grandfather. So I was in possession of a blade that was at least five generation deep in my family and used by the first two with the in between generations all being female.
I sent it to Razor Emporium who restored it for me. I purchased some of the other basics there and now I'm a straight razor shaver for life. I've had good luck with it so far. I've yet to cut or nick myself and I'm going on a couple months of use. Oh I've removed the top of some small bumps but nothing serious.
I had to travel last week and opted to take my electric to save room and prevent theft of my straight. Wow! No comparison to my straight. Kind of like weedeating the yard instead of mowing.
I'm sure I'll be collecting more razors and will inevitably move into honing my own. Many questions to come.
