Thread: Greetings from Massachusetts

Hi Everyone,

I'm about to (re-)embark on straight razor shaving. I actually did it a little decades ago, but with no guidance as can be found here, and a non-descript razor. So I am going to consider myself a rank beginner.

Until recently, I shaved with cartridges without thinking too much about it. Then Gillette decided to announce what they thought of their customers. It never really occurred to me that they would have any opinion of me. And I'm not sure why they thought I would value their approval. But, clearly, I don't meet their expectations. So, I have dumped all my Gillette and P&G products. I wouldn't want to burden them by buying any of their products anymore. I'm not the only one. It's an interesting marketing strategy. I bet the next P&G shareholders' meeting will be a barrel of laughs.

So I dug out my old DE razor. I wish I had gone back to it years ago. It a much more satisfying experience. But it made me think, why not try straight razor shaving again, except with a really good razor, or two, and with advice about how to do it correctly? So here I am.

--Cliff

Welcome to SRP Cliff. Glad to have ya in the group and i know we can help you along to learn to use a straight. Start by reading the section in our library on beginners learning to SR shave. While your at it read about the rules to SRP. Its not much but there are a couple small things you should know.

Go slow and dont take it all on at one time as this will help you to learn quicker. What i mean is dont try to learn to shave, restore, hone, etc... At one time. Start with learning to shave and make proper lather and strop. These are the first things to learn and it will take time. The saying that it takes 100 shaves before you start to understand is true so take your time and expect a bit of trouble along the way. If you shave every day, in a few months you will be getting great shaves.

And dont worry about the baby butt smooth shave. It will come with time.

Hello Cliff and welcome to SRP.

I'm from Massachusetts too, the tiny Town of Oakham, in between Worcester and Springfield.
If I can be of any help to you, please don't hesitate to P.M. me.
All the answers to your straight razor shaving question can be found here. A good place to start is the Library.
This forum is chuck full of awesome people that are more than willing to help.

Enjoy your time here on the forum and have fun.

Pete <:-}

Welcome to SRP.

There is so much information in the collective archives and memories of the members here that it can be a tad overwhelming. Fortunately, all you have to do is ask a question, even if you think it might have been asked many times before, and members will provide answers based on their experience and expertise.

As Gasman said, check the Library. It has a lot of good stuff especially for guys new to shaving with a straight. When you do get a straight razor, make sure it has been honed by someone who knows what they are doing. There are a few for sale in the B/S/T forum right now that are priced quite reasonably and that will arrive to you in shave ready condition.

Enjoy your new hobby and welcome to SRP.

Welcome!

I enjoy your desire to “re-enter” the world of SR shaving and your thoughtful approach.

Thanks, David, and thanks for your post on the my question about razor selection. I completely agree with you about preferring the Buy/Sell/Trade forum as my first choice for a source. You mentioned that you thought B/S/T had a few good choices right now. I only went back the the beginning of the year, figuring older ones were probably sold already, but it seemed most of the vintage ones available right now had square points. But I'll look more closely to check if any of those have the corner muted enough to be OK for a beginner. (There were some round points, but a little expensive.) If you happened to notice any particularly beginner-friendly choices on there I may have missed, I'd appreciate your pointing them. Meanwhile, I'll take a closer look at what is up there right now!

Thanks, Harold, and I sure look forward to continuing our discussion next week!

Hi Pete, I never heard of Oakham, but I do recognize some of the surrounding towns. That must be quite scenic, there. I'm in metro-West, which gives me a tolerable commute to Boston for work. Thanks, for your kind offer of advice, and I am sure look forward to spending time in the forums and the library here. They are both packed with tons of helpful information.

Originally Posted by pincorrect

Thanks, David, and thanks for your post on the my question about razor selection. I completely agree with you about preferring the Buy/Sell/Trade forum as my first choice for a source. You mentioned that you thought B/S/T had a few good choices right now. I only went back the the beginning of the year, figuring older ones were probably sold already, but it seemed most of the vintage ones available right now had square points. But I'll look more closely to check if any of those have the corner muted enough to be OK for a beginner. (There were some round points, but a little expensive.) If you happened to notice any particularly beginner-friendly choices on there I may have missed, I'd appreciate your pointing them. Meanwhile, I'll take a closer look at what is up there right now!

They often go quickly - folks here know a bargain. Sometimes a member who is not a regular vendor lists items for sale in other forums on SRP, so check around.

We aren’t supposed to advocate for specific retail vendors, but I know folks have had good luck with inexpensive restored razors from Whipped Dog and, if you don’t mind paying a bit (a lot, in some cases) more, you can get some beautiful restorations from Griffiths Shaving Goods.

Welcome home!
These guys have already given excellent advice, nothing to add there.
If you need DE blades, I have a whole bunch of them.
Original in the package, a bunch of different types.
Since I don't use a DE, don't know too much about them so I'm not sure if the old ones are being used or if guys are using new blades for old DEs.
But anyway, if you want some let me know what you are using.
On SR preference, I'd say 3/4" blades with rounded tips.
If you can find a smiler (somewhat curved edge), that's easier too IMO.
Grind doesn't make too much of a difference to me, but on all these points you will likely find some varying opinions.
Have fun!