Thread: Not-quite-newbie

Hello all, I've been around the site for a few weeks now, and with the straights for a couple of months now - and I'm already totally hooked. I think I have *AD - where star stands for anything having to do with straight razors... I grew up in washington, DC, but now live mostly in Chicago and part of each year in the San Francisco Bay area (my wife and I are both finishing up our PhDs, but at schools on opposite sides of the country, so we have to trundle back and forth a bit as the fellowships and teaching require).

I started shaving with a Dovo Prima that my friend passed on to me after trying straight shaving and getting frustrated - I think he didnt know he needed to get a strop. (At some point very soon I'll have to share the light with him, and probably give him his Dovo back.) I also have a beautiful restored Utica Red Point and a Wade & Butcher wedge/quarter holllow Bow Razor, which has actually been working out the best for me. I don't know if this will be the case once my technique peaks, but for now the wedge has been much easier and more comfortable than the full hollows. Thinking maybe i'll settle on 1/4 or half-hollow...

Had a bit of trouble getting started because I "trained" myself on a Dovo Shavette (so I wouldnt have to contend with wondering whether or not the razor was really sharp - and in fact it took me a while to sort out my stropping technique), but those manufactured disposable blades have a totally different level of sharpness, requiring a very different technique.

Anyways, I'm totally hooked, and very glad for SRP. I've participated in one or two other online forums, but none has a community like this - helps a lot to have such a strong core of senior members / moderators to give the site a stable center, rather than just an utter cacophony. And it's big enough to be very active but not so big that the posts just totally overwhelm any shared experience.

Cheers, and thanks to Lynn and all the other who have built this up and continue to maintain it. Boy do I hope that straight shaving (and DE, for the masses) continues to come back.

Welcome! Nice of you to introduce yourself!

Hello, Mijbil:

Welcome to SRP. You obviously have done all your research at SRP, including big dips in the Wiki. Also, we have a group of experts here whose knowledge leaves one in awe. Ask your question and ye shall find out in no time.

And, yes, Chicago and San Francisco are great places to be. They have been home for me through the years. Stay well. We are delighted to have you here.

Regards,

Obie
obieyadgar.com