Thread: Salutations from N. Virginia

Would like to say Hi and introduce myself.

Hi SRP, I'm Michael Phillips, aka FurryFacedFella! Yes, I heave a beard and only shave my neck and cheeks currently. My facial landscapes change from time to time but not totally clean shaven. 3 years ago I retired from the Army after 21 years. Having to shave everyday for that long is a direct correlation to why I have a beard now. I hail from Evansville Indiana originally and descendants go back to Chatham county, NC before the Civil War. I'm a Civil war reenactor and try to be as authentic as possible. The way the original boys of 1861 did it! Sometimes it can be a hindrance living in the now and trying to do as they did then. Shaving with a Straightrazor is one of the required skills if you didn't have whiskers then. This is one of the reasons why it is so appealing to me. I've use eletric razors (Braun, Norelco) many differnt modern razors but not a DE or SR. I have a Gillette 5 bladed razor w/utrasound but it won't(hopefully) compare to the SR Droescher 18K that I have packed around for the last 25 years but didn't use. I finally broke it out not too long ago and stropped it and it shaved fair. Better than I thought it would. I believe it would do better having it properly prepared.
I'm currently gathering all the neccessary accoutriments needed to do a real SR shave. Can't wait! I bought my 1st razor, from Ebay for Sum total of $7.98, $6.99 was shipping. It is a plain black celluloid scales, SR Droescher "Karbono" special steel w/ some light staining but no pitting, chips or cracks. The SRD 18k is a 9/16 and the Karbono is 6/8.

My 2nd purchase is a plain Boker razor w/the original box from a hardware supplier in Evansvile, IN(my hometown) that specialized in cutlery and tools Boetticher & Kellogg. They have been closed for nearly 60 years. Here is the auction: Boker Boetticher Kellogg Evansville In. Straight Razor - eBay (item 160541798813 end time Feb-11-11 15:51:13 PST)

I susupect it has never been used and will make a good daily shaver. Both Droeshers will need reconditioning and honing I think. Is there a reconditioner near Fredericksburg, Stafford, Manassass, Alexandria or DC that I could hook up with? I work daily M-F @ Ft Belvior, VA.

Lynn, Thanks for starting the SRP and I hope I can be a positive influence.
Thanks Mike

Mike,

Welcome to SRP! I am living in Alexandria, and drill at/near Ft. Belvoir in the Reserves (finishing up after my 14 years Active). I've been using straights now for about 8 months now. It's a great way to go. I don't do restorations, but I have started honing my own razors.

Take a good read here on the site, and don't be shy about asking questions... Most importantly, have fun!

Bill

Welcome aboard! Check around on the Classifieds, there's bound to be someone in your area that can assist w/ restorations

Hello and welcome. Nice couple of razors you've got there...looks like they just need a minor clean and honing

Welcome! I live in Fairfax and work at Ft. Belvoir. If I wanted restoration work done I would ship my stuff to GSSixGun. It's worth the trip to me.