Thread: Introduce yourself!!!!!

Good Afternoon, I’ve been a wet shaver for years and a Lurker here for longer than I’d like to admit. I’ve been using a straight 9 times out of 10 for 5 or 6 months. Shaves are great--- no issues. I’d like to say a big “Thanks” to everyone who contributed to the Wiki; it’s an invaluable resource that’s saved me a lot of time, money and some sanity. Hope everyone has a great Holiday Season and I look forward to “seeing you around”

Well, I got a 42 Gentile Paris wedge for Christmas. So I've already got two razors, this one and a full-hollow, and I'm progressing quite quickly (I'm even starting to use my left hand.). This site couldn't have been a better resource. Thanks for everything, I hope that I will soon be able to contribute something useful.

My name is Ken, I am 41, and I live in Fair Oaks, CA. I got my new Dovo straight edge for Christmas. The wife bought it for me reluctantly, but it was the only item on my wish list. I had my grandpa's old WW2 Genco and used it to shave my sideburns years ago, but went no further. The fear man, the fear! Now I have tried the whole face with my new Dovo and so far FAIL. The razor said ready to shave, and so I took a shower, lathered up with my Col. Conks amber using a badger brush and got to it. Unfortunately, my wife didn't get the Lynn Abrams DVD that was optional with my package. Anyway, I was a bit too ambitious. I went for the perfect smoothe shave and the blade dragged across my face. Didn't feel good like I had hoped. Lots of razor burn, but no significant nicks. I had to relather several times and was as far from a close shave as I could get. I am determined, however; and tried again day 2. This time I read to be less ambitious. I busted out my Sensor XL, took a hot shower, conditioned my face, took my time applying heavy wet lather, stropped my razor with 40 passes and attempted just the area of my cheek below my strong hand sideburn. Still working on getting the right angle, and the blade seems to labor along my face skidding and stuttering. No good. I fear I am applying too much pressure. I ordered the video and will try and wait until it comes to attempt again. I have made the decision that I will stick with it until I get it right. In the meantime, can a good old school barber teach you or are they just too good and too fast for a newbie to pick it up from them??

Hello everyone! My name is Cullen, I'm 25 and live in Georgia. After over a year of hemming and hawing, I ordered a Dovo Ebony Silver Steel 5/8" Straight Razor today from Straight Razor Designs.

I've always hated shaving because of how sensitive my skin is and the razor burn I get. After doing some research, I started wet shaving. Even with the cheap Williams mug soap and boar bristle brush I found at Kroger, the shave was much better. Even still, if I don't wait for 2+ days between shaves, I get razor burn, in grown hair, etc, just not nearly as bad as with canned creams/gels.

So, in the next few weeks I plan on reading everything on this site and getting some quality soap and a good badger brush. Any recommendations for a soap for sensitive skin? I've also been using Nivea for Men After shave balm (unscented) for a couple years now.

Welcome to SRP,

Originally Posted by JustHonein

I remember him providing his StraightRazorPlace alias in one of his videos, but I cannot remember for the life of me.

That would be David Polan (heavydutysg135) - you can find a lot more videos in our Wiki: Honing videos - Straight Razor Place Wiki.

Enjoy your stay, and do keep us updated.

Regards,
Robin

Welcome to SRP,

Originally Posted by ctbillings

Even still, if I don't wait for 2+ days between shaves, I get razor burn, in grown hair, etc, just not nearly as bad as with canned creams/gels.

You might find a product like http://straightrazorpalace.com/misce...e-dermo-k.html useful. There are a number of these around (Avène certainly not being the cheapest, but it works best for me so far). When shaving with a DE or a straight, I have found that so called over stretching (ie pulling the skin too taut) will cause ingrown hairs quite easily.

Originally Posted by ctbillings

Any recommendations for a soap for sensitive skin? I've also been using Nivea for Men After shave balm (unscented) for a couple years now.

Personally, I find recommendations for skin products hardly ever useful if you have a problematic skin condition. That said, if I had to recommend something that is both pleasant to use and still reasonably priced, I would go for http://straightrazorpalace.com/after...ve-lotion.html and http://straightrazorpalace.com/shavi...ing-cream.html. There are many other products around that claim to be made for sensitive skin, too, though. An in depth look at our review sections in the equipment forum may be useful.

Good luck, and keep us posted.

Regards,
Robin

Hi my name is Frank I am currently in the US Army serving in Iraq. I am new to straight razors, but can feel the addiction growing already. I look forward to shaving now. I am currently using a razor that takes disposable blades, but have ordered a Dove that arrived at my house and my wife will be dropping in the mail today. Also I have some soaps and creams headed my way.
Thank You everyone that has posted advice as a noob to straights it seemed a little daunting untill I stumbled upon this site.
Frank

Hi All,

I just ordered a Gold Dollar 200 and a Filly strop from Ken at Ruprazors.com so LET THE CARNAGE BEGIN!!! I just got back into DE after about forty years of cartridge shaving and figured what the heck, might as well try a str8. I can see that this place is going to be a wealth of information and help so thanks in advance. Hope you all had a Merry Christmas and will have a happy and prosperous new year.

Greg

Hello everyone, I just wanted to introduce myself.

My name is Daniel, I'm from New Mexico and brand new to everything S/R related. I have been lurking and learning from many of you and this site, so i would like to say thanks for that.

As a newbie i decided to purchase the Gold dollar and filly from Ruperrazor.com to get started.

Well, my name is Paul, and I'm currently Active Duty Navy and hate the multi bladed crap that's out there! Don't even get me started on the stuff in the can! I want to do things right and gain a few man points in this life, so I joined this forum with the hope of fine tuning my new straight razor.

Here's the scoop. About 2 months ago I purchased a Dovo Pearlex 5/8 fully hollow ground stainless steel straight razor, Norton 4k/8k water stone, and a Dovo 2 sided strop. My shaves up to this point have been horrible and I know this razor has potential but its operator has no sharpening skills, so I hope that someone here may be able to help me get that baby-but smooth shave and comfortable glide that I'm sure I can get with a little help, time, and practice. I just need to know where to start with my sharpening endeavor and what else I may need to add to my starter kit. I've already shot an email to Lynn in regards to this delema I am in. I love doing the shave, but my results are scarry right now, PLEASE HELP THIS NEWBIE OUT!!! Thanks for reading.

Paul