Thread: New member, advice needed

Dear all,
I am a new member to SRP but like most have spent quite some time reading posts and such already. This site has been most usefull to me, intact it has atracted me greatly towards straight razors. However, I am not only new to SRP but to shaving too. Would the other members recommend that I start shaving on a straight or first get some practice at shaving before?
Many thanks,
Duelist

Welcome to SRP! Nice to have you join us. I would recommend that you read the Wki. This should help you get started in the right direction. Don't be afraid to ask questions as we are always willing to help.. Enjoy the journey into straight razors and have fun.

Straight Razor Place Wiki

Richard

That is a complicated question, honestly I would would love to say just start with a straight just like they did years ago and be way ahead of all of us in the long run..
One thing for sure is, start with a brush and real lather, no matter the blade you use first ...
Lt us know which way you go, and if you need help just ask...

Welcome to SRP!
I would say it's up to you really. Time spent with a DE razor may be valuable though. It will allow you a little time for a few things. To get making decent lather, which is not hard, but absolutely required. To learn a little about the direction your stubble grows in. And to learn the importance of prep. Once you have a grasp of these you can concentrate on a straight, the holds, stropping etc. It'll just allow you to learn in stages, rather than having to take in all aspects together.

At first Welcome SRP
i would suggest start with straight.
It won't be easy. (doesn't matter any person when start to use straight there is learning curve)
it will take time but you will get there.
Very important get your razor from SRD,Member 's ,vender etc. Just have guarantee it is shave ready.
good luck

Originally Posted by hi_bud_gl

At first Welcome SRP
i would suggest start with straight.
It won't be easy. (doesn't matter any person when start to use straight there is learning curve)
it will take time but you will get there.
Very important get your razor from SRD,Member 's ,vender etc. Just have guarantee it is shave ready.
good luck

I agree with my friend Sham here. Not many men can say they Never shaved with a disabosable, that's pretty cool. There was a time when you had no choice but to shave with a straight, or you didn't shave. There is a learning curve, sure. Take your time, read the WIKI, Pick up items off our classifieds, Don't spend too much at first, that way, if it's not for you, your not in that deep. Use a bowl to make lather, get a brush at wal mart or target...

Of course, you can always pick up a DE....(A double edge razor)

BTW, I you haven't already, check out Mantic59 on Youtube. He has some very entertaining and informative shaving video's.

Many thanks for all your replies, I have decided to go for a straight after all. But I do not have much of a budget and live in the UK, so could anyone sujest an apropriate straight for a beginer that won't cost lots and is easy to get over here? I don't seem to have found such a razor, or strop, that would match all of these problems on the classifieds.

I would have a look at Steve Dempsters site, as he is based in the UK.

All his razors come shave ready and he is very helpful with any queries as well. I've bought several razors from him now, and they have all be very shave ready when I got them..! He does sell strops as well.

The other site to look at is Neil Millers site. Neil is an artisan strop maker, and makes high quality strops here in the UK as well.

I would also have a look at the Trumpers website for soaps and creams, and check out Penhaligons for colognes and fragrances.

Good luck and keep us posted!

That's great, many thanks stubear, but it seems that my mother can not stand straights, she thinks their "unsafe", I have tried to reason with here but it's no good so it seems like it will be De's far a few years at least. This is not all bad I supose, I could do with some time getting to know my face better and how to make good lather, as well as saving time in the morning. It seems to me that edwin jagger looks like a good brand, from the other posts I have read, but does anyone have any more thoughts to add, especaly about blades.
Many thanks

I used to use a Merkur Futur with Feathers. Largely, it's a personal choice though. Get a sample pack of DE blades & try a few. Blades can behave differently on different faces. EJ stuff is decent quality AFAIK.