Thread: Hi

I live in asheville and recently took up straight shaving because I am tired of razor burn. I was first introduced to it in Iraq where you could get a straight shave for $2 which was nice. I've got a razor that takes disposable blades but I want to get something permanent once i learn how to maintain it properly. So far all I know is the styptic pencil is my best friend. Look forward to learning more!

Welcome aboard Lane, Check out the Wiki section for info on " How To", I'm sure some of the other guys will chime in with links.
Mike

Welcome to SRP. I would read the WIKI as stated. There are many good places to get a good starter razor and strop.

Good Luck!!

I have a strop and waterstones 220, 1000, 4000, and 8000 grit that I use for knives but still need to learn how to hone a razor. I've been looking at videos but is there anywhere I can go in the Asheville, NC area to learn? Just don't want to pay for a razor and then muck it up but I want to be able to do my own honing eventually.

Originally Posted by Lane

I have a strop and waterstones 220, 1000, 4000, and 8000 grit that I use for knives but still need to learn how to hone a razor. I've been looking at videos but is there anywhere I can go in the Asheville, NC area to learn? Just don't want to pay for a razor and then muck it up but I want to be able to do my own honing eventually.

I definitely would recommend buying a pre-honed razor, and maybe even having the first few re-hones done by a pro. Learning to hone and shave at the same time is a very, very big challenge. The cost of honing is low enough that I think the easier task of learning to shave (and later, having a reference for how the razor you hone should feel) is more than worth it.

I believe there are quite a few members in the NC/SC/VA/WV area, so I bet there is someone who can give you some help with learning to shave, strop, hone, etc... we'll see who chimes in here!

Thanks for the advice, and you're definitely right I've got my hands full just trying to shave right now. Down from 10 nicks a shave to 3 though and less burn. I heard something about a workshop in this area so I was wondering about that or maybe getting a mentor for some help.