Thread: Saying hi from Socal, Corona

Hi and welcome.

I understand your loathing for cartridge razors and flipflops for that matter.

There is a good sized learning curve with straights, but once you start to climb it you will likely fall in love with it. Shaving will soon become a hobby and something you look forward to.

As for DEs don't give up on them so easily. They are a cheap alternative to cartridge razors and will give you a shave that compares to straights. I cut myself more learning DE than I did with straights, but that's because I learned that first. The only learning curve with DEs is the shave and making the lather. There is a whole lot more with straights. You might find that you need to forget what you have learned on the stones with your knives before you try honing a razor though. That said all experience is good experience, right?

There are some great guys on here so don't forget to ask before you dive into any aspect of this hobby.

I would only give two pieces of advice.
1) Make sure you buy a shave ready razor.
2) Don't use any pressure when shaving at all. That also works on DE shaving too.
3) Don't worry too much about honing at the start.

That was three which is arguably better than two.

Anyway good luck and enjoy.