Thread: John from New England

Hello everyone,

I am 56 Y0 and a complete noob in all aspects of Straight Razors.
I have been using a DE safety for my entire shaving life except for my time in Basic Training when we were not allowed to have them.

So with a first time full pandemic beard I decided to go to a Straight razor for my neck and cheeks so I ordered a Dovo Bismarck and look forward to learning the ways of honing and shaving with it.

Welcome to the forum. You are about the same age as I was when I started to learn to shave with a straight razor so it can be done. Be sure and read the forums library https://shavelibrary.com/w/Shave_Library . It is full of useful and relevant info for a beginner. You may have more questions to after reading it. Enjoy your time here.

Bob

Welcome. New razors come with a factory edge that most likely is not shave ready. Have your razor professionally honed. This will give you a feel for a properly honed razor.

Don't worry about honing right now. First learn to use a straight. Get a decent strop. With proper scrolling you can maintain an edge for some time.

Welcome! Lots of experienced men on here that are eager to help.
Enjoy the ride.

Welcome to the forum.
We stand by ready to help.

We like pics. Lots of pics.

Put your town in your avatar. A member may live nearby

Hello John and welcome to SRP.
I'm in Oakham Ma. if you need anything.
Enjoy your time here on the forum.

Pete <:-}

Welcome, John.
As Leonard was saying After you get the razor send it out for a "Proper Honing". Pick up a second razor too. This way when one needs honing you can send it out and start using the second one. They will tell you it is shave-ready but your odds are 1 in 90 it really is. They don't have the time or effort to properly hand hone them at a factory. Check out our library. There is a great section for beginners. Ask questions. We are more than happy to help. This is something that will take time to learn. it's said that after 100 shaves you start to understand.

Hello John,

I had my first straight razor shave at 57.

You're never too old to start, just start. 3 months or so and it will feel pretty easy.

I've been straight shaving only since Oct 2019 but it feels so natural and i get such a comfortable close shave that I really can't imagine shaving any other way anymore.

Get a spare razor from the Buy, Sell Trade here on the forum. Any razor you buy from the guys here is sure to be sharp and shave ready and anyone here that sells you a razor is 100% trustworthy.

Welcome to the forum

Very welcoming! Thank you all.
I'll be sending the Dovo to be honed for the first time (Any recommendations?) But absolutely plan on learning to hone it my self I ordered 2 gold dollars off amazon to start that journey.

I have plenty of knife sharpening stones and equipment but nothing in a high enough grit for razors so that is what I will be on the look out for. I have heard are people having good results with lapping films on glass or might pick up a Norton 4000/8000 combo and a 10-12k stone. but I am not sure yet.