Thread: Hello

I'm Rob from London, UK.

I gave up on cartridge razors about a year ago and bought an electric razor which didn't shave close enough. I thought a straight razor would give me the best shaves but after doing a lot of forum reading I was put off by the steep learning curve and got into DE razors instead. Recently, while using a Colonial General SE, which takes the Feather Artist Club blade, I started thinking about straights again. And once you get the itch, you've got to scratch it, haven't you?

I bought a cheap shavette which I found really helpful for practising angles and stretching my skin, following the progressive methods in Lynn Abrams' tutorial. It went well so bought a few straights – an Erbe 5/8 from Solingen and a Rigarazor 7/8 plus a paddle strop. I'm taking it steadily as I get used to the new techniques, doing my first pass with a straight and finishing off/tidying up with a safety razor. I can see how the RAD kicks in though! I've found the discipline of learning has really helped – I'm being much more fastidious about lather quality and keeping the bowl and brush warm.

Welcome. You are on the right path reading and taking it slow. Stay patient and you will get there sooner than you know.

Hello Rob and welcome to SRP!
Sounds like you are on the right path and learning is going well.
Enjoy your time here on the forum, ask questions and have fun.

Pete <:-}

Hello Rob, welcome to SRP.

I know what you mean about those electric's, they never worked for me either. Enjoy the journey!

Welcome to the forum, Rob, and have fun learning this new sport. RAD is certainly tough to avoid, and I'm also keen to add a Rigarazor to my stable one of these days.

Welcome. Lots of great folks here with a wealth of information and experience! All you have to do is ask the questions and these guys will either give you the answer, their experience, or point you in the right direction.
Just wait till the other disorders kick in. Just about everything involved with using a straight has the ability to suck you into the disorder hole.

Jer

Welcome to the forum, Rob.

Welcome to SRP!!

A lot of great folks and info here, the library is a place you can get lost in
Enjoy and have fun!!

I found with most of my friends who have started down the straight razor path, is that their biggest discouraging problem is stropping. I sharpen the blade for them, and they can't maintain the edge properly with good stropping technique. My one friend wanted to strop fast, like a crazy man, just like he had seen barbers do in the past. I tell him SLOW, making sure the blade lays flat. He just couldn't follow instruction.

If you can master maintaining the edge, the rest will follow.

Other than that, enjoy and ask lots of questions.