Thread: Michiganlover is in the House!!

Greetings!!

I am new to Straight Razor Place, but not to wet shaving!

As you might have guessed, I am from the great (or not so great given the hard economic times) state of Michigan.

I took up wet shaving with a DE about 11 months ago. I have tried about 25-30 different DE models, many Gems, and a couple of Injectors. Presently have scaled back my collection to 4 DE razors (Tech, Super Adjustable, Muhle R89, and a Lord w/ Merkur like head), 2 Gems (1912, and a G Bar), and 2 injectors (Type I Hydro-Magic, and a Type E).

Straights have always interested me, but since I preceived the entry cost to be steep, I didn't give it much thought.

I stumbled upon a NOS set of Wrisley Shaving Soap, Aftershave, and Talc (Wrisley is re-branded Yardley), and was able to trade it for a 5/8 Le Grelot w/ a French point, and custom scales. It's a beauty. That trade also included a custom made strop.

I also added a Boker King Cutter 5/8 w/ round point, and translucent horn scales to my collection (paid for by selling off excess den items), a Bismark/ Illinois strop, a barbers hone, and some balsa with Ferrous Oxide, and Chromium Oxide pastes.

I just completed straight shave number 21 yesterday, and I am making solid progress on my technique. My most problematic area is my upper lip. I presently do a WTG, and XTG pass on my entire face. My shaves are decently close, and certainly a Socially Acceptable Shave. I am not drawing much blood anymore, except for my upper lip.

I also got the fun of trying out my Barber's hone, and pastes this past week, after dulling my razor quite nicely by stropping over a significant nick I placed in the Illinois strop. DOH!!