62 year old newbie.

Hi Folks,

I thought I might as well introduce myself. I’m a 62 year old straight razor virgin who touched his face with a SR for the first time last week. I may be the only user who came at the idea totally backwards. I have always enjoyed sharpening knives and my quest for a sharper edge led me to razor technology, waterstones, stropping, etc. Only after actually owning a couple razors and learning to hone and strop them did I decide to actually shave with one. One problem: I’ve worn a full beard for the better part of a decade so my facial skin is not at all used to being shaved. In spite of that, things went fairly well. After having my barber use his clippers to reduce my beard to mere stubble I lathered up and went for it. I got enough nicks and scrapes for my coworkers to point and laugh but I was very pleased with the over-all results. I used one of the plain and simple Dovos. Historically, barbers have often told me that in spite of my beard looking fairly normal, it is really wirey and tough to cut. The Dovo performed quite well for being in the hands of a rank newbie. I want to thank the participants and creators of this forum for an unbelievable resource for shaving . I’m overwhelmed by the amount of info here. I look forward to being able to participate in the future.
Dave Ogershok

Welcome to SRP Dave, glad to see someone older than me come around, I'm 61 and gaining fast. :beer1:

Hi Dave. Welcome to SRP!

It sounds like all in all, things went pretty well for your first shave! Congratulations. :)
They only get better from here.

Be sure to get involved in the forums, and don't be afraid to ask if you have any questions.

Hey neighbor!!:)

Welcome aboard and PM me if I can be of service to your shaving journey!

My dear Dave:

Ah, but you're a spirited gentleman to do as you please: that is to shave with a straight razor after all these years. Welcome to the esteemed ranks of those of us born in the reign of Louis IVX.

Draw your straight razor and shave away. If you have questions or need help, please don't hesitate to call on any of us.

Oh, by the way, tell your co-workers that a swashbuckler needs a few nicks on his rugged face to uphold the title.

Regards,
Obie

I also came to straight razor shaving from a knife based forum, ok Kitchen knives but hey :p The skills learned getting wicked sharp edges on my kitchen knives helped me rapidly grasp honing straights, not long after I was a honing fool :p

Welcome to the insanity :)

Welcome! You're never too old to get into this hobby..! :)

It sounds like you are off to a good start, congratulations! It just gets better from here..!

Good luck and keep us posted.

Welcome! Your shaves will only get better from here on out.

Take care and enjoy,
Richard

Just an update on how things are going so far. It's been a month since anything other than a straight has touched my face. I've had the best shaves ever in my entire life and I can't imagine going back to anything else. I've explored the world of age old smells imprinted on my mind in childhood. I've felt empowered by using a simple blade of steel to do daily grooming. I've added to my skill sets several unique and satisfying abilities both regarding the actual act of shaving and the honing and preparation of the tools. And I now know my face as I never did before. A sincere thank you to everyone who has helped by contributing to this vast resource of shavosity. Shavingitude? Exfoliaciousness?

Hello Dave and welcome to the SRP forum, nice to have you along. There is certainly a wealth of information to be had here, both from the WIKI and from all the friendly members. I agree with you that there is nothing like shaving with a straight razor. I find it very relaxing and enjoyable, and in addition, I get the best shaves I have ever had.

A belated welcome to SRP Dave. I'm happy to hear that you have made the first couple of hurdles and enjoy the results. If you desire there is an endless depth to this sport wish is equally rewarding but beware of the AD's (RAD, HAD, SAD etc.) that many of us have discovered. I look forward to reading your future posts.

Good going! It only get easier as you find new ways to get things done and get your technique down. I have a nasty beard also and I have found that prep is absolutely the most important step in getting a good shave.

It will be good to see your future posts and see how you are getting along.


Later,
Richard

Hi Dave , I started when I was 52 , 3 years ago , and I ain't looked back . I love the way a straight shave makes my face feel . No other razors can compare to it , and over the years I've tried them all .

Hello Dave!

Welcome aboard. Never too late too start. I, like Jimmy, am 61 and gaining. Best of Luck!

Ronnie

I also got a late start last year at 53 ,wish i started alot sooner.I will shave with a straight as long as my hands are steady,He HE He

Good to know there are gents like yourself who wanna learn new old things ;-)...I had to teach myself to shave with everything including my SE/DE/Str8 razor's..my dad doesn't wanna touch anything with a blade anymore
(even though he used Gillette DE during his service days in NAM)..regardless of his razor burn and redface irritation from many years later and still using cheap plastic blades or electric machines..guess some people don't like to change much ;-P


pcdad

Welcome Dave,

even though you have a few years on me (I'm 36) I think we just should be glad to have started this wonderful thing at all. I wish I would have started earlier, but by knowing that, I'm enjoying it more because I'm doing it now.

Congrats on a good choice and good to have you here.

I thought it might be appropriate to update this with a final entry. It's been over four months now, I've passed the 100 shave mark by quite a bit, my spyptic pencil is lonley, and I've had a BBS shave every day for a long time now. Life is good. What a nice community.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ogershok

......Life is good. What a nice community.

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It is, isn't it? I am glad it has worked out for you.


Take Care,
Richard

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ogershok

I thought it might be appropriate to update this with a final entry. It's been over four months now, I've passed the 100 shave mark by quite a bit, my spyptic pencil is lonley, and I've had a BBS shave every day for a long time now. Life is good. What a nice community.

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Only 100? Man, you got to get to at least 110 before you're not considered a newb anymore......:)

Just kidding. Congrats, and thanks for the update. Always good to hear success stories :beer1: