Peach Fuzz: A Newbie Introduction
Hello everyone, this is my first post, and Id like to take the opportunity to indtoruce myself.
My name is Eric, from Arkansas. I actually hate shaving but like to look presentable every now and then. I have fond memories of learning to shave, but Ive ben sucked into the void of the electric razors for years and when I tried to go back to a disposable razor (the new triple, quintuple, or googleplex bladed bic) it shaved my face down to the skeleton and it was horrible! lol.
So as the years passed, Im finding myself very tired of shaving and never being able to get everything off of my face or neck. Its just not a clean feeling to spend the time shaving, only to resign oneself to leaving hairs on the adam's apple or wherever because the razor just won't go there.
Also, I had long hair for years, finally found a barber that I liked when I got scalped and then he retired. I went to another barber and he retired. Im on my third barber now (im 30 years old by the way), he has been in his location since 1961, a Korean War Sailor, so I just know that very soon Im going to have to find another barber.
THe reason why I mention this is because I began to learn that the art of straight razor shaving is dying out. This barber, who I am really fond of, shaved my neck with a straight razor. So I decided that this was the way that I want to go because I like the old fashioned ways of doing things: Analog over digital, etc.
So yesterday, I made it a point to ask about this, not knowing ANYTHING about straight razors, strops, honing etc, and I never was really god at keeping my knives sharp. I asked him for a brand and he reccomended Dubl Duck. Okay, you can tell this guy is old because they haven't made these things in so dang long.
So, here I am.
I found a barber supply store in town that is selling the Fromm for like 5.99, but Im thinking this can't be good.
So guys (and gals), Im really looking for some place to start. I don't have a whole lot of money and like I said, I never really did learn to keep any knives in my collection sharp. (Knifes are harder to maintain than guns I think). I have been digging through my (deceased) grandfathers belongings hoping to find that UberEdge, to no avail.
So I am left with looking for an inexpensive, modern alternative, and from the limited information that I have read so far, It looks like the best thing to do is to buy 2 razors, so I can swap them out while the other blade's edge "grows"?
So if any of you want to lend a hand to this newbie I would graciously accept the guidance. Just tell me what information you need from me and Ill try to help. I know that veryone's face is different (though I think I look like Paul Newman...just kidding).
Im interested to know what type of minimum investment I need to make, what good lathers to get, or more importantly what to AVOID, since I know that lots of things are purely subjective.
Eventually, Ill be able to graduate to some of those ancient blades, not for collecting but for everyday usage.
Thanks in advance, and thanks for hosting this resource.
Respectfully,
Eric
Rhythmicons