An old dog learning new tricks.
First, cool site!
Ok with that out of the way I can say hi.
Hi. :beer2:
An introduction and a lot of babbling to follow:
When I first started shaving in the mid 70's I used an old safety razor of my dads. (My son did not believe me when I told what that little slot in the medicine cabinet was for.) Anyway sometime in the mid 80's I decided to upgrade to a straight razor. I bought it and a strop at a knife store at the mall. It was probably not shave ready but I didn't know any better, and didn't kill myself with it so it's ok.
I had to switch to a disposable blade razor when I joined the Navy. They seem to have something against straight razors... something about ships rocking and rolling and big blades on the throat... That's why sailors used to grow beards at sea maybe?
I've been out of the Navy for years but never really thought about shaving. It was just something I had to do occasionally to keep the boss off my back. For some reason a few weeks ago I decided I wanted to go back to real shaving. I can't find my razor or strop. I can't believe I would have ever gotten rid of them and my ex agrees. So they wandered off somewhere during one of our numerous moves. Bummer. But it honestly was probably not a very good one?
So after having horrid luck at thrift stores I went to E-Bay and bought a couple old ones: Torrey, Samuel Osborn, Peter Michels, Genco, and Western Bros. They all need some cleaning up and honing but all the scales are in good shape. So that is a plus.
The Torrey was in the worst shape so I decided to try and hone it first. I read somewhere that you are very likely to ruin your first blade on the hone. Well it came out wonderfully! Ok it doesn't completely pass the hanging hair test but still shaves better than a disposable. And ZERO cuts!
Enough babbling. Time to go lurk around some more. And back to the hone for the others.
An Old Dog Learning New Tricks
Hello, Tukaram:
Congratulations for joining gentlemen shavers and welcome to Straight Razor Place. We are delighted you have joined us.
Although I myself have chosen to permanently remain at age 27, I was actually born in the time of Louis XIV. Before the Army, I shaved with a double edge. In the Army I had to switch to standard issue plastic guillotines. Afterward, I became lazy and used cartridge razors. Later I switched back to the double edge. Three or four years ago, maybe more, I forget now, I finally chose the straight razor, fulfilling a dream I had kept alive since my twenties.
What's commendable about old dogs such as we, despite our rusty bones, is our preference to always remain at 27.
Good luck with your new adventure. Check out the Wiki at SRP for all kinds of information, and if you don't find it there, post it and a learned lady or gentleman will have your answer before you can finish reciting your service serial number.
Regards,
Obie
