Hey look another "New Guy"

[TeMpTiN]

Well hello all!

Where to start?
My Name is Dory and I am an addict.
(Welcome Dory)

After facing the prospect of having to buy cartridges again a little voice in my head (there are a few of them but you'll get used to that) spoke up and said "hey remember that barber you went to in college that did cut throat shaves and how much you like them!"
Maybe it was the John Wayne marathon that was on over the weekend, the fact that I always wanted to learn, or it could just be time for a new hobby to annoy my wife.

I own an '83 CJ5, a '78 Merc 300D, a '65 Ducati, I roast my own coffee, sailing, Mixology, I am going to title my dog in Schutzhund, I also enjoy fishing and now that we are coastal shrimping, short walks on the beach preferably with a nice craft beer and a good cigar.

So I hit the search button and spent a about a week reading up hear and at B&B. Ordered up some kit and got started.

My current tools are

Dovo "Best Quality - Half Hollow" 6/8
Vulfix No. 1000A Pure Badger brush in faux Ivory
Courtesy of Vintage Blades

Filly Strop from KenRup

C.O. Bigelow Cream and balm
Van der Hagen brush and soap
From around town

Today I happened to pass a Walgreens they had 3 of the Van der Hagen brushes in stock I had already been using the Vulfix but @ $7, why not.
It is still in the box, might give it a bath tomorrow.

Well I have a few shaves under my belt and my confidence is growing.
Tonight I spent some more time on prep and my lather whipped up better than my last two attempts. I did two passes and have so far yet to nick myself, although there were a couple of close calls.
Feels pretty good and I know where I need improvement. Mostly pressure control but angle and steadiness also need work.

So far only one small nick in the strop but I think I am getting the motion down. My razor certainly isn't shaving worse than the first time out. I am hopeful that going slow and trying to keep a light touch but still maintain contact is working.

I chose to start by dipping a toe in before doing a cannonball of the high dive with straight shaving, but I feel I am starting to climb the ladder of acquisition disorders.

Just before posting this I put in an order to The Shave Den
6 pack of cream Samples, Palmolive Classic, D. R. Harris Almond, Trumper Coconut, Taylor Avocado, Castle Forbes Lavender, and Tabac.
I'll see if the Tabac's fragrance is going work or not before getting a puck.
Also got a Sample of TSD Bay Rum Soap.

I can foresee a Tallow Soap, and some AS in the near future.
I have a baby on the way (our first) so I am trying to fight the urge to get a set of hones and a few more blades, pretty sure I wont have much time with out distractions to use the them.

Wow did that turn out to be a long post.
See yah around the board.

Dory "TeMpTiN" Goldberger

P.S. I can hear that SRD Modular Paddle whispering "buy me".......

[Fbones24]

Welcome to the community and the "lifestyle."

I also can see that you are on your way to many debilitating acquisition disorders that are oh so fun. I will not give you any advice on what to get as you already have done your due diligence on that.

I will say, that Tabac is my favorite soap and scent. I own the Eau De Cologne and use it every other day. It is a "love it or hate it" scent, and I truly hope you love it.

Keep us posted on the progress!

Edit: ...I forgot...congratulations on the new addition to your family!

[Obie]

Hello, Dory:

Welcome to Straight Razor Place. You have all the equipment you need. Please keep us posted with your progress.

Regards,

Obie

[JimmyHAD]

Welcome to SRP. Read my sig below to avoid nicks and cuts.

[TeMpTiN]

I used to teach basic foil technique my master at the time described griping the foil like griping a small bird. You must be firm enough to keep it from escaping but gentle enough not to hurt it. I think it translates well to shaving as well.

I figure over the next few well years I will develop a pattern that works well for my face. I usually wear a Vandyke with a chinstrap, so I have not yet had to work on the really tricky spots on the face. How ever tonight I guess I was a little over zealous on the second pass XTG coming up the neck as I must have given the razor a little flick coming off just before the jawline and took a nice chunk out of the strap on one side.

I find the sculpting a wee bit tricky yet. The zone just on the edge of the "old growth" catching a much courser hair or two at times wants to bring things to a surprise halt. I am betting there is a flaw in my technique causing part of this. That is where my close calls came from, now that I know what to expect if that happens it isn't to difficult to throw things in reverse dab a little more lather in that area check the angle and make a run at it again.

The beauty of the beard though is it grows back so I can try again.

[Shoki]

...or it could just be time for a new hobby to annoy my wife.

Classic! Welcome to SRP!