New Guy saying Hi and waiting for first straight to arrive

Hi everyone-

I've already done a lot of reading and researching on this site and decided I should get registered so I am able to ask questions when they inevitably arise.

I have been shaving with a DE Razor for about two years now. I stumbled into shaving with a DE when originally I was researching getting started with a straight. At that time I decided that I was best served with starting the DE route and have thoroughly enjoyed the process of learning and trying new things and searching for the perfect shave. However, the desire to try a straight never subsided and I just recently decided to take the plunge.

I ordered a shave ready razor from Larry at Whipped Dog and a poormans strop, expecting it to arrive in the next couple of days. In the mean time I've been reading as much as I can about technique in actual shaving and stropping, which seem like they will be equally challenging to get the hang of. Thanks to all the posters who are so helpful and willing to answers questions.

I look forward to getting started.

Bob
Osborncox

Welcome, Bob. You found the right place for questions and help. There are forums to talk about non-shaving topics too which you might enjoy.

Welcome to SRP. Make sure you have a read through the wiki, it's full of important info.

Welcome to SRP! If you click on settings (up to the right above the search box) and edit your profile and put your location in there may be some guys in your neighborhood who would be willing to help you out with any questions you have on stropping, technique, etc.

Also, I've read of several guys ruining their blades with poor stropping before they ever get that first shave (if you've been lurking a while, you probably have too). Larry sends his blades ready to go, so shave first, strop the next time. That way you get a true feel for how a straight SHOULD shave and can assess your technique without questions over whether or not that blade is sharp enough.

Keep us posted on your progress!

Peace,

Thanks for your words of encouragement and tips, I welcome all of it. I've been reading quite a bit where people have recommended that rookies get two shave ready razors, and save one as a reference point to compare the other one to. I've always assumed that I would need to have more than one razor so that I had one to use while the other was being honed(I'm not even contemplating doing my own at this point), but I was planning to wait to make sure I enjoy SR shaving before investing in another one. If this is a necessity in properly learning to shave and strop then I have no problem getting another razor sooner rather than later. What's your advice? Can I wait a few weeks to gauge my interest going forward or am I better off getting one immediately?

Thanks

IMHO you can shave with one just fine and get a feel for it. Then you can buy as many as your finances and ingenuity allow. The great thing about having a second that's up to snuff is you'll be able to tell right away if you've rolled the edge while stropping. Also, as you continue to shave and your blade slowly dulls you may not notice it (because a dull razor is still pretty dang sharp), but it will be obvious when compared to the honed and ready razor.

Once you get your razor from Larry, you'll fall in love and want another one anyway...I'm just sure of it.

Peace,

Welcome to SRP!

So far so good!

My razor arrived yesterday, so I gave it a go. WTG on the face only, and it went pretty well, only needed styptic in one place. Today after stropping for the first time which I was more nervous about than actually shaving I did a WTG and XTG on the face. Went pretty well, no styptic needed today. Hopefully tomorrow it will improve some more, maybe move on to the neck. I think I'm lucky I have a shaved head and a goatee, no sideburns to go around and I get to avoid the lip and chin altogether.

Welcome to SRP.

Sounds like you're off to a great start. A little bit at a time. Think of it like building confidence in a kid......provide something JUST attainable, and they master it and become confident. Too much, and it's a struggle.

Straight shaving is the same. One cheek or jowl at a time! :)

Glad to have you here.

Maxi

Glad you've gotten off to a good start! I hear you on the stropping issue...I'm more tentative when it comes to stropping than I ever was with actually shaving.