Thread: Hello from southwest Virginia!

Well, I thought I'd already done this, but apparently I haven't.

I'm very happy that I found this place! I started shaving with a straight in the 70's using a razor that was passed down from my great uncle; can't remember the brand, only that it said Solingen, and it was a narrow razor, probably a 4/8. Didn't know much about straights, so I just honed it like I sharpen pocket knives only with a much keener angle, and stropped it on the battered old strop that was handed down with the razor. Used a cheap boar brush that shed a few hairs every time I used it, and Williams puck soap, plain old bath soap when I couldn't; most likely every thing I did was wrong but I still got fairly good shaves.

One day I dropped it ... well, it would be more accurate to say that it flipped out of my soapy hand right as I was getting ready to rinse it and did a couple of pinwheels at about eye level. I almost grabbed at it but the lizard brain shouted "NO, YOU BIG DUMMY!!" and I let it fall. I'd dropped it before, but this time it fell right on the metal faucet and broke a big hunk out of it. Couldn't find another straight (I live in the sticks) or a double-edge, and couldn't find blades for the injector that I'd always carried when traveling, so I went to the twin blades and never got a good shave since. In time I bought an electric, it did just as sorry a job as the twin blade but didn't scrape as often.

A while back when I was really fed up with the electric I stumbled onto the Badger & Blade forum and bought a decent used Fatboy and some Bluebird blades and was hooked on wet shaving again. I also bought a used straight off eBay, and although I didn't do a very good job of honing and stropping (it shaves, but it pulls a bit), a realized what I'd been missing. About that time I found this place, and bought a pre-honed straight from the Classifieds that should be here any day.

After many years of drudgery, I'm looking forward to shaving again. Thanks to you guys I'm finally going to learn to hone properly, too.

GastonD,

Welcome to SRP. Its good to have you officially aboard.

You ought to be pleased with the straight razor you purchased from the SRP Classifieds. I have purchased a few razors from that venue myself that are part of my regular shaving rotation.

Consult the SRP wiki--if you haven't already done so. Its full of information for wet shavers and esp. info. about straight razor shaving, honing, etc. Of course you can alwys post a question in one of the SRP forums. You'll probably get a response in no time. SRP members love to give advice.

Again welcome to SRP. Take care--and smooth shaving.

Gaston,
welcome to SRP from South West VA.
SRP is the biggest straight shaving forum with a ton of information in the Wiki, and many experienced members that will be happy to help you should youhave any questions on your straight shaving journey.

Welcome to SRP.