Saying hi from Socal, Corona

Hi I'm Mike and I'm an...... oops wrong crowd.

This forum was recommended by a member on another forum because I have zero interest in fileting my face with a DE and am looking for a more wallet friendly entry to a straight shave while I figure out what I really want to spend more money on.

Why do I want to straight shave? The only shave I've ever enjoyed was a hot straight shave from this lady that owned a barber shop in Coronado when I was 19(1994) and going to helicopter mechanic school for the navy at North Island. I used various cartridge razors for a few years and have always loathed the experience. I tried DE for awhile but they made a movie about that called scarface. I don't HAVE TO shave anymore as a civilian but I actually hate having hair on my face just as much as shaving. I've been using Braun electric razors for over 20 years and it's at leat tolerable compared to cartridge or DE razors. But I still hate it and only shave once a week or 4 days at the very most.

I think that if I had a good straight and was able to keep it up proper I would have a nice good shave every other day and be happy as heck. I've been reading for a few days. Spent the last two mostly at badger and blade and have been looking at more affordable options to get set up and figure it out before spending hundreds of dollars on THE set up for the rest of my life.

I sharpen my own knives and tools. I've spent time on stones but now mostly use spyderco sharpmaker from course diamond to extra fine ceramic. It's just the most time efficient way to put an edge on premium steel knives you beat the crap out of.

I've played with small stropes but don't really need that kind of edge on a knife even in th kitchen. I do know that I need a strop and to know how to use it. I'm pretty sure I'll dial that in pretty fast. I understand angle and pressure as well as consistency of the two. I realize a set of hones will be required and I'm already planing to buy a full set of Nortons, it's really not a lot of money for what you get.

I'm going to buy A cheapy Maggard synthetic brush to start with and a cheap resin bowl so I can travel with it and won't break it. I am thinking of a Dovo encina 6/8 and whipped dog rich man strop after I've spent some time with a vintage and budget strop to get all the rookie mistakes out of my system. This way I can give myself a couple of shaving to take my time and make more informed purchases on the higher priced items.

So I'm going to go check out the buy sell trade forums that were so highly recommended and see how good a deal I can get. I'm open to all advice and appreciate it a lot.

Welcome to the forum. :)

Hello and welcome to SRP.
I'm confident that if you take the time to get the equipment and the shave dialed in, you will find that there is nothing quite like a straight razor shave. A shave like the one from the lady in Coronado will be a daily pleasure soon.
Enjoy your time here on the forum and have fun.

Pete <:-}

HAHA that was quick.
Welcome
Jer

The only thing I'll add on top of the library info starting out would be:
1. Stretch that skin good and tight
2. Keep an eye on the angle (about 2-3 spine widths)
3. Shave the lather not your skin
4. Don't forget to breathe

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MedicineMan

The only thing I'll add on top of the library info starting out would be:
1. Stretch that skin good and tight
2. Keep an eye on the angle (about 2-3 spine widths)
3. Shave the lather not your skin
4. Don't forget to breathe

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Hmmmm.... #2 is genius.
#4...... Breathing is for #*$$ies! I'm 1 a rescue swimmer and 2 a scuba diver. We'll have time to breath when we're dead.

All the the "dive" tells me is that you have sweet hair, a plethora of hair product, and an abundance of flip flops (if you were dive in the military):rofl2:

If you're gonna label for one if many hobbies can stick with Jacque Cousteau of pick one of my more frequent hobbies like off road motorsports of any flavor orange precision shooting. Well, maybe nix the shooting stuff. Don't wanted anyone mores FBI interviews.

I hate flip flops as much as a cartridge razor. Even if I liked em I cant wear em. Longstanding back an neck injuries have introduced me to high end Keen beach sandals for wet occasions.

As for hair product. I just Don't do that. And I all my dives are recreational as my military vocation was aviation mechanic. Ya wanna sit down at the bottom of the pool and see who comes up first?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MedicineMan

All the the "dive" tells me is that you have sweet hair, a plethora of hair product, and an abundance of flip flops (if you were dive in the military):rofl2:

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Hi and welcome. Best advice is find one of the local guys and meet up. Will cut the learning curve and make sure your on the right path.

Welcome to SRP!

A lot of great folks and info here, check out the library.
Razors are a whole different animal when it comes to honing.
Enjoy and have fun!!!

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.