Thread: Newbie

Hello,
This is my second post after being a lurker for a few days.
I recently switched from Mach 3's and canned gels to SE, brush, and shaving soap shaving. I'm on my first week of SE shaving and I am gradually getting more comfortable, but still being very careful!!
I'm currently using a SE where you use a half of a DE blade. I started using it to shave in my cheek area above my beard, then one thing led to another and here I am, shaving not only my cheek area, but also under my jaw and my neck with the SE. My wife promised to get me a DOVO for my upcoming birthday. The Mrs also added that SE shaving will be good for the environment because there are no aerosol cans and dull disposables to throw away and that eventually we will save money on the straight razor. Plus she likes the fact that I am an old school sort of a guy.
By the way, I like the clever name for this forum. Thank you for the privilege of being a member of this forum.
Patrick

Welcome to SRP.

Saving money is a good cover for getting into this hobby that's what I said to the wife. Then the RAD kicked in and that idea went out the window I'm 15 razors in and more on the way lol plus stones and strops. Good luck!

Thank you for your reply.
I have the stones covered because I do woodturning as a hobby making pens, gamecalls, tops, and anything else that can be made on a lathe, so I have a large variety of stones. I'm blessed with a supportive wife.
How long have you been shaving with a SE?

Welcome!

I agree with nycexit2, it takes a strong person to deal with the sickness known as RAD! I am about 50 shaves in and have multiple razors, strops, and a plethora of products for the preshave, while shaving, and post shave. Take your time reading through the current and archived threads as well as the WIKI. I am still finding interesting threads on SRP. I am still working on the BBS quality shave but I think that most members here shave with the straight because they enjoy the journey and don't gauge success purely on the outcome of any individual shave. I found a lot of help from the great videos on this site and on youtube. Hey, a picture.....
Good luck and keep us updated on your progress.

rob

Thank you for your reply and kind words.

I am not at the point where I can strive for the BBS shave just yet. Right now I am focusing on technique particularly the blade angle and working the blade with the geography of my face. I'm shaving with the grain for now and I'll give it another week or two before shaving with the grain then go against the grain. I cannot wait for my new and real straight razor, but the replaceable blade type will suffice for now and it's an inexpensive way to start out to see if I really like straight razor shaving - I now look forward to shaving each morning. It's become less of a mundane morning chore.

I will let everyone know my progress. It's really nice to be in a place where you get so much support from others; plus a forum like this is a wealth of valuable information shared by those with experience such as yourself.

Patrick

Welcome to the forum. Don't forget to check out the WIKI, an excellent source of information. Check out the Beginner's guide and all the other great info on there.


P.S. Check out the classifieds too. All kinds of good stuff on there...A great place to pick up an inexpensive razor to practice honing.

Will do!!
Thank you!!

I have only started SE about a month ago and shave 2 times a week some times 3. And Iam indeed very sick with RAD. Read the WIKI great help. And I loved YouTube video. It seemed a bit weird looking at other dudes shave but it helped me build my own way of shaving from watching them. You will learn something new every day. I did and still do.

I'm going to check out the You Tube video.

Welcome to SRP. One advice, instead of Dovo buy either new Thiers-Issard or a custom razor. There are many good razors made by forum members. These razors are much better shavers than Dovo.