Thread: Hello from Kansas

Hello SRP! I'm a new forum member hailing from the Kansas City area. I've been a wet shaver since my first shave my sophomore year in high school. I think I started out with a Gillette twin blade or something close to that and a can of Barbasol goo. I toyed with electric shaving in college. Back in 2003, when I was richer, I bought a straight razor, brush, strop, and soap on a whim. With no information or instruction my attempts failed miserably and my straight razor sat unused until about a month ago. The straight razor is a Dovo Perlex 5/8 stainless razor. The rest are Colonel Conk soap, Illinois 835 strop, and Colonel Conk badger brush. About a month ago I removed my Dovo from it's box, virtually new from the factory. I decided I would try to sharpen it up before trying to shave with it again. Keep in mind I had not searched the internet for shaving resources like SRP yet (yes, this next part is scary.) I got a 2x4, a clamp, and some sand paper together. I started with 220 grit taped to the flat 2x4 dragging the blade backwards (like stropping.) I progressed through 400, 600, and 1500 grit papers. Then I finished on a Hand American leather bench hone with chromium paste (green) on one side and plain leather on the other. Yes, after reading a lot at SRP and other sites on the internet, I realize how ignorant I was with my honing attempt. Also, my strop had been sitting in a tote for 7 years rolled up with the smooth side pointed in (sigh.) I tried to fix the strop with some sand paper, a pumice stone, and some neatsfoot oil but the bad spots just keep coming back. Yes, what a disaster. But there was a lot of learning the hard way here. The good news is that I've been practicing my stropping a lot and I think that it's finally "clicked." Now if I can just get my hands on a good strop with an even, consistent pull I think I'd be doing quite well with stropping.

I'm an unemployed telecom engineer specializing in optical transport. So money is tight. But I'm getting close to pulling the trigger on a straight razor and strop set from SRD. It'll either be a Dovo Best Quality 6/8 or the Dovo tortoise 6/8 with the SRD black latigo strop. If I can save up enough, then I'm gonna get the Castle Forbes shaving cream sampler. Locally I've already found some Williams mug soap at CVS and some Nivea for men Sensitive post shave balm at Walmart. I'm gonna look for the C.O. Bigelow shave cream at the local Bath & Body Works and the Nomad shave soap in wooden bowl from a local Crabtree & Evelyn. My existing badger brush is still ok. I've got a latte cup that will work for a shave mug. And my Colonel Conk soap is still good too.

I'm a tinkerer and a gear nut, so I might eventually try my hand at some restorations, but I'm getting ahead of myself. Once I have started straight shaving for a while, I plan to send my original Dovo Perlex razor into SRD for some professional honing. But for right now, I'm going to continue to practice stropping with it.

Wow, it's 3:00 a.m. and I'm probably rambling so I'm gonna sign off this post. But I just wanted to introduce myself in case people see me posting here and there. Thanks for the great forum here. The info, pics, videos, and links are outstanding.


-Trever

Welcome to SRP Trever!

We're glad to have you with us!

It sounds like you are doing your homework and have some good kit to use..! It would be a good idea to send your Perlex to SRD for honing, as this will give you a shave ready edge to use as well as a benchmark to judge your own honing.

It might even be worth doing that first off, just to get you shaving, and then you can add to your kit later on?

The razor and strop kits from SRD are excellent, and your razor will definately come shave ready! I have the 3" black latigo strop and its a great bit of kit. It has good draw and puts a great final edge on the razor before use.

If you havent already, check the Wiki out as well, especially the FAQ and Getting Started sections as they are full of useful information!

Straight Razor Place Wiki

Good luck and keep us posted!

Welcome aboard.

Hello, Trever:

Welcome to SRP.

My friend Stubear has provided plenty of information for you. Since I believe every straight razor shaver should have the lovely "perlex" Dovo in his or her collection, you already have a good start.

To reaffirm Stubear's advice, have that razor honed as soon as possible so that you can start. Good luck.

Regards,
Obie

Welcome SRP.
if you need any help just ask.
gl

Originally Posted by hi_bud_gl

Welcome SRP.
if you need any help just ask.
gl

Trever,

If you get a chance contact hi_bud_gl for some help.

Sham is just across the Missouri border from you and he knows
what he is doing. He's sharpened my razor a couple of times
and his service is excellent.

Travis

Hey Trevor. Good to find you over here. There is a lot of help on this website. I heavily rely on it. I have been using my straight razors for a few months now and I am improving every time now. My next purchase will be a hone. Talk soon.

Thanks for all the welcomes and advice! Docjamo, it's good to see a familiar face. I didn't know you were here. Of course, I haven't been here long myself.