Hello all!
I had my first str8 razor shave a little over a month ago now. I was formerly a Trac II, Mach III, and for a while 30 years ago, a Rolls Razor shaver. The SR bug has been with me for a while, kindled by a weekly ritual of getting one barbershop shave a week for a few months while staying in Ankara, Turkey. I looked forward to those shaves and the hospitality of the proprietor. And I was pretty amazed at how smooth my face was after each visit.
This year I finally choked on the price of cartridges, and decided the time was right to take the plunge. I bought plain vanilla DOVO 5/8's round point, NOT shave ready.
I'm a hobby woodworker, with several years of professional experience in the 90s. I've rather vain about my sharpening skills, so I took on learning to shave, hone and strop at the same time. I knew the consequences, it didn't take tooo long before the witch hazel was merely tingly and not like molten lava on my tortured neck.
I put the Dovo aside once I got had it honed to my liking, and I've been shaving with antique shop foundlings. For the last 3 weeks or so, my "No. 1" has been a Robeson which I bought cheap due to a crack near the point. Shortening the razor by about 3/8's actually made it more comfortable and controllable for me. Glad to say that things are moving ahead nicely. My grip has relaxed, my edges have gotten keener, and I've upgraded my face prep, along with my lathering skills. I think I'm going to stay at it. The DFS zone of my face is growing. Watching some of the Youtube material, including Jockeys' stuff, has helped a lot with shaving technique.
I've been part of another shaving forum for about a month now. I've learned a lot there, and had some good support. I've been lurking around here off and on for a few weeks, and I've picked up a lot of excellent info here as well.
So, I thought I'd do the neighbourly thing and hi to all of you.
Cheers,
Ian
