Thread: Hello from Seattle!

Hey guys, I wish I would have found this site about two weeks ago, but I'm glad that I found it nevertheless. Searching for any information out there, I had been known to check out the badger and blade site for about a year, which is when I first got into wet shaving as opposed to face hacking. I started off with a Fine Badger Brush from TAOS and a Gillette Mach 3 Handle from TAOS.

I've generally been happy with TAOS quality, though I am aware that better quality items can be found much cheaper. I guess you can say I view it as a luxury service to get my foot in the door. The quality level will be high enough to use as a comparison when buying replacement or better quality items. A couple weeks ago I decided to go with a Thiers-Issard hollow ground razor with wood scales rebadged by TAOS. I liked it because it wasn't actually made by TAOS. I also picked up a leather/cloth Dovo Strop at TAOS.

I started watching YouTube videos on how to shave and strop, and then I found this site. I'm still learning the proper technique of both shaving and stropping, and this site has increased my technique in both quite a lot. For that I thank you guys very much. I haven't nic'ed myself once, though I've experienced some extra irritation on the neck. I've watched some of Lynn's video on YouTube, and made the decision to start honing myself, in an effort to master the entire process. Not to mention the "shave-ready" Thiers-Issard isn't really that sharp.

After reading reviews after review, I decided to pick up a Dovo Ebony Spike Point from SRD, this way I know it will be sharp. I also picked up a 12,000 Naniwa Super Stone from SRD for refreshing an edge. I can practice this with the TI and shave with the super sharp Dovo until I hopefully get it down enough to where I'm comfortable enough touching up Lynn's edge. We'll see! I can always send one or both to SRD if I muck it up too much.

Thanks guys for all the great reviews, and thanks in advance for all help. I'm sure I will have a lot of questions.

Brian

Welcome to SRP! Well if you are in Seattle, then you are just South of me. Also, it doesn't hurt to go through a bunch of the information that is on the WIKI, a lot of really great info in there!. Have fun with it and remember it is an experience to be savored!

I've been combing through the Wiki for stropping and honing techniques. Killer information. I also forgot to mention that I picked up a Norton 4000/8000 from classicshaving.com I always try to pick up the standards for comparison reasons. Same reason for why I went with a Rega P3-24 turntable. It's the audiophile standard that everyone is familiar with...

This is exciting guys. I can't wait to carefully use the information from Wiki and the information from these forums to develop skills. Lynn's pyramid technique seems the proper way to start.