Greetings! Still red newbie, Any Kansas City folks around? Local business suggestions

Greetings! I have been lurking around the past couple of weeks, reading posts, watching videos, re-watching videos of a Russian who could shave his face faster than I would possible, and reading many posts.

After looking around online for a week or so, I found a razor. So, on Monday I received shipping emails for my razor (Baurmann Bros, Quick Cutter), strop (Bismarck 1067, leather/canvas), and soap (Proraso). I tried to keep it on the cheaper, but functional, end of things. I wanted a vintage for character, figure I'll nick a strap, and just don't have the funds to start a huge new hobbie right now.

Anyway, I was going to wait until my purchases arrived, and post some pics, but I saw mention of KC members. If anyone in KC wanted to help a brother out with some local business suggestions, I would be most appreciative... and might even by you a beer at the next meetup!

I have a "shave-ready" razor coming. And, following posted advice, I wanted to take it to get honed. I live in South KC, Waldo/Brookside. Any affordable, local suggestions? I was thinking of strolling up to the old barber shop, and seeing if they knew anything about where to get it honed. But, I can't tell if the spinning red pole out front is just for show or not. Thanks for any help!

Any senior members that read this... Thanks for all your posts! Your advice has helped guide me into the world of shaving. I learned on an electric. This forum has been my introduction to shaving!

My story: I shaved for the first time in years a couple weeks ago. I am 31 years old. I used an electric, because that's what I've always used. After having a full beard for years, and watching people hand money right over to Mr. Gillete/Bic/Whoever, I didn't understand the racket of disposable razors. Being the first time I used any razor in years, an electric felt very un-zen and non-selfsustaining. 5 minutes after the shave, I went to the computer and knew that I was going to learn to use a straight blade razor. Again, I have never used anything but an electric. However, I am pretty enthusiastic about this experience. Reading everyone else's comments around hear only reassured my that I was making the right decision! Thanks again, and pics to come soon!

Welcome aboard! Once you try a straight or DE, you'll be ditching that electric or multi-blade gadget in short order. Be VERY careful who you take your blade to for honing. Honing a razor is nothing like honing a knife. Your best bet would be to find one of our honemeisters that lives in your part of the world and send your blade off to them. In fact, our fearless founder and leader, Lynn Abrams, is in Cape Girardeau. I know this isn't terribly close to you, but it might be worth getting in touch with him.

Sounds like you've got a good starter kit (Proraso is one of my favorite soaps). If you don't have them already, you'll also need a brush, styptic powder or pencil, alum block, and maybe some aftershave.

Welcome to your new obsession!

Thanks! Thank you for the suggestions, as well!

I also bought some witchhazel (natural alternative to alum block, or styptic... I'm kinda granola) and a starter shave kit with brush and scuttle. Wandering into my neighborhood CVS pharmacy to see if they carry Proraso (they don't) I saw they had shaving "kits" on clearance. I picked up a scuttle, brush, and cheapo soap all for $3.75! Boar bristle... but I don't mind for few bucks and as a starter. As far as aftershave, I have always used OTC moisturizer in the mornings after the shower (even with beard). I was going try that out, and buy something else if it didn't work well.

Still hoping someone from KC has some input!...

My gear arrived today! From separate shippers, sent out on Monday. What a country. Is there a guide to posting pics?

I'm pretty happy with the overall purchase! The strap is what I expected. Decent as far as I can tell. It has an easy change screw set to swipe out anything if I need to. Later down the road, I might use this to throw some paste on, if I get a nicer setup.

I was really hoping the razor came in well... The pic I bought it on didn't do it justice! And, the pic I took doesn't do any better! It really didn't pick up the writing on the blade. No gold left, but writing and design still intact. Blade is close to mirror, with a few discolorations in negligible spots. Seems to be in good condition!

The razor passed an immediate self HHT, so I couldn't resist!... Sanitized, I stropped the razor a few times. I used the cheapo soap (which still has my bathroom stinking like a cheap man-whore) and made a couple of swipes at my mug! Everything is still here, and I'm pretty happy with the cut! I only did only cheek/side burns to keep it simple.

Welcome to Straight Razor Place!

Hi Peasel;

Welcome to SRP. Yes there are a crew of guy's here in KC that can help. Whatever you want to do. Learn to Shave, Hone, restore, you name it. We normally have get togethers every couple months. I think the next get together may involve a specialty barber shop over at Corinth Square. send me a PM we'll see what we can do to get you moving that str8 around your face like a surgeon. hooyah
MIke

I gave it another go today! Nicked the face a couple of times. Nothing serious... But, one (really three seperate cuts) looks like the razor skipped like a stone down my cheek! I think the french tip got me. Went well, though! Did both cheeks this time.

I had to watch some videos on making lather. I think this cheapo soap that came with the brush and scuttle just sucks. I might as well have used the dove looking at others' lather. Hopefully the proraso will be here tomorrow.

I tried to iron out my strop a little this afternoon. It arrived with a slight concave shape. Without the heat being so hot that I couldn't hold my hand to the burner, I tried to press it out. Worked some. In the end I ended up placing it on top of the coffee table, with an inverted end table pressing the top. On the end table I had about 20 lbs of books! I think that actually worked better.

Anyway, shave number 2 happened withouy any major blood loss! Anyone have a reference on how to post pics?

Glad to hear you're still enthusiastic! Keep it up and be patient. The shaves only get better with time.

As far as posting pics, I'd recommend putting them up on a website like imageshack or photobucket or Picasa (google's photo site). On those sites, you'll be able to go to your picture and there should be a way to create or copy a link to the picture directly. Once you copy that link, come here, start a reply, and then click the "Insert Image" button (looks like a picture of a tree in a frame, next to the globe). Paste your link in there, and that should do it!

Thanks! This is the first forum post I have ever started. I have lurked in various forums for years, but never posted. I'll figure the photbucket out tomorrow.

Welcome to SRP and welcome to beardless wonders!

Alright, this is my first pic upload attempt. Please forgive if it fails.

Here is my gear! As stated previously, my camera couldn't do the razor justice. I tried to take close ups of the writing on the blade and such but no luck.

Still waiting on my Proraso!

http://s1189.photobucket.com/albums/...t=DSCN3770.jpg

Pease...you used the wrong link. You should use the IMG code and get this result:
http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/...r/DSCN3770.jpg

But it took me to your pic. Is that the VDH kit I see (brush and bowl anyway)? Or is that from somewhere else?

Glad you're keeping your head above water after jumping in with both feet!

It IS the VDX... but it came in a "CVS" pharmacy box, under their store brand name. Got it on clearance for 3.75! Avoid the soap, though. After watching youtube and others' lather ratio, the soap is worthless. I'm just happy to score a bowl and brush for so cheap! When I upgrade, I'm thinking the brush at least will be my traveler.

Thank you for posting the pic! Hopefully I will get the hang of posting. Wow, the pic really makes it look like the blade edge is uneven, its actually lined up.

No problem. I like the VDH soap myself...think it smells like almonds...BUT I didn't get it in a kit, so maybe you got a different flavor?

You can actually click the IMG code on the photobucket page and then paste it (ctrl V) into your message without hitting the insert image button (the IMG code comes with the insert image code).

Send Modine a PM and get together with those KC guys. They are a really good bunch and you will learn a lot.

Here is a link to the thread regarding the upcoming Razor Meet....
http://straightrazorpalace.com/get-t...d-mo-meet.html

I second everything said, the KC crew is a great resource and a very welcoming community to say the least. Definitely participate, you have a life time of learning in front of you.