Thread: New to the SRP and straight razor shaving.

Hey guys, I started reading your forums shortly after I ordered a DOVO Ebony 5/8 straight razor and some of the accessories from classicshaving.com. Learning the art of using a straight razor has been something I have wanted to do for a while and I finally took the leap yesterday by ordering my first straight razor. It should get here early next week. I also ordered a strop and hone plus some new shaving soap cakes. It's been a while since I left behind caned shaving creams and took up the cup and brush. I have enjoyed it ever since and even using a safety razor gets me a closer and more comfortable shave then the can's ever did. I am a precision tool grinder for a mfg. company near Pittsburgh PA. Hopefully this means I will have an easier time keeping my blade sharp enough, though I don't expect to be perfect at it from the start. I figure that my detail oriented job will go a long way to help me shorten the learning curve with the straight razor I am not expecting to be anything close to an expert when I finally start shaving. I am excited about getting started but a little anxious about it at the same time, I have to say the advice I have read on here from the many experienced guys is giving me a lot of insight and will continue to help me and I hope some day I can be the one giving advice on this topic. Most of the guys I know dread shaving but I have always enjoyed it even though I keep some semblance of a beard. Even with the beard shaving has become a ritual that I enjoy a lot.

Hello, Randleflag:

Welcome to Straight Razor Place.

Now that you have your starter kit with quality products you're on the way to something that you will enjoy more than you expected. Now throw the clock away and embrace the entire ritual of wet shaving with the straight razor.

That you already work with tools and have an understanding them will help in maintaining your razor in the ideal working condition. I don't know if your razor will come with a factory edge or honed professionally. If a factory edge, the razor in all likelihood needs to be honed professionally.

I am sure in the future you probably will hone your razors yourself. For the first one, however, professional honing will provide you with a benchmark for the future. Just a suggestion.

In the meantime, please continue to read in the Wiki and view as many videos on wet shaving with the straight razor as you can. The learning process never stops; for me that's part of the pleasure of wet shaving with the straight razor. Also, please as many as questions as you need to.

We're delighted to have you with us.

Regards,
Obie

When I ordered the razor there was an option to have it professionally honed or just the factory edge. I paid the extra 20 bucks for the professional hone on it so it should be good to go when I get it. I want to have a benchmark to go from when i try my first hone. Like I said eairler I am excited to start and a little nervous at the same time. I will deffeentally have a lot of questions to ask and will be sure to post them.

Hello, Randleflag:

Good that the razor came shave ready. Please don't hesitate to post your questions. You will find answers from the experts most useful. This is a friendly and helpful neighborhood.

Regards,
Obie

Randleflag,

It sounds like you are well on your way to an enjoyable straight razor shaving experience.

+1 on Obie's advice. Take it to heart and you shouldn't experience any major problems. Of course, if you do, feel free to peruse the SRP wiki or post your question in one of the appropriate SRP forums.

Take care--and smooth shaving.

Welcome to the SRP!

We have a number of machinist/toolmaker/millwrights here so you guys just may form your own subgroup! Just kidding ( kinda).
Your understanding of working with steel and tools will shorten your learning curve regarding honing but there will still be a bit of a hill to climb. However you will have a ton of people ready to help you along in this journey.
May I suggest you get the shaving part down pat first before you start with the honing?

Randy, that was the plan. I need to know what a good shave with a nice sharp razor is before I can start honing and know if I'm actually doing it right. I plan on the whole learning process to be relaxed, I plan on taking the time to learn everything right so I don't have to unlearn anything.

The learning curve is actually quite steep for most guys. I suppose it could take a while if you were just learning to shave but already having a few thousand shaves under your belt helps. It's still the same job just learning to use a new and better tool to get it done.

Welcome aboard!

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