Figured I'd introduce myself. I'm a recent newcomer to the gentlemanly pursuits. It all started with a fascination with properly made and enjoyed libations. From there on in, I found straight razors, pipe tobacco, and a love of fedoras.

I'm a college student starting my third year of law school, and despite the dire financial situation common to those in my circumstances, I decided to take up wet shaving.

A random find at a garage sale yielded a fine-grit sharpening stone for a dollar. Apparently, the homeowner's uncle, a wet shaving enthusiast, had recently died at the age of 101. Unfortunately, the rest of the shaving equipment was gone. The brushes and mugs were considered old and were thrown out. The antique straight razors, all 10 of them immaculately maintained, as described by the homeowner, were thrown out with the garbage by the homeowner's wife because, in her own words, she "did not want knives in the house when the grandkids were over." I did not ask about the existence of kitchen knives in the house.

I wanted to be as self-sufficient as possible, so a trip to the local antiques mall (Fancy flea market) yielded two blades with moderate potential, and one to be used for practice in restoring and maintaining straight razors, all for a grand total of $30.

I welcome any and all suggestions as to the restoration, use, and other equipment (strop, mug, brush, soap, etc.).

And now, for the pictures: