New Canadian on the forum

[Atchbo]

Hello all,

I have been reading and learning a great deal from folks on this forum for over a month or so now so I thought I should introduce myself. My username is Atchbo; my wife calls me Adam. For my first Father's Day, my wife and I exchanged 'lifelong gifts'; I gave her a locket with our new son's picture inside and she gave me a straight razor and strop that I had been asking for forever.

I'm not sure of the quality of my razor, as I can't find much on it on the net or in this forum. It's an 'F. Montigel Finest' with Newark stamped on the shank. It's a square point, which was quite a treat to learn with, but I've still got most of my ears left, and only a few long-term marks on the cheeks.

I'm a cigar lover and apparently a nostalgic (I like old motorcycles, diesel engines, hand-made beer, soaps and bread).

Anyway, thanks for everything this forum has already provided. There's quite a lot of art in this habit from shaving to honing to creating these razors, strops, soaps and lotions. I've already made an after-shave lotion with almond oil, rum, kaffir lime leaves, Cuban tobacco, bay leaves and vanilla, and also a batch of shaving soap from scratch using the same liquid as a scent. However, I think I'm learning to focus on the things that have been done well over time by others, and so I am looking forward to another razor and possibly some Castle Forbes or Trumpers... maybe for Christmas.

Best,
Adam

[Maxi]

Adam,

Glad to have another Canuck here on SRP. Do us northerners a favour and update your info with your "location" so we can invite you to razor meets.

Sounds like you're off to a good start.

What kinds of cigars to you prefer to smoke? I too like to indulge in a finely rolled smoke, preferably a Cohiba Robusto or Siglo III

Speaking of which, maybe it's time to check the humidor....

Welcome!

[Ryan82]

Welcome to SRP from another fellow Canadian!

I'm sorry that I don't have any info about your razor, but glad to hear things are working out for you.

[mjhammer]

Hey Adam,

Welcome to the forums, don't be a stranger and ASK Questions!!!!! The folks here will be more than helpful, and we always welcome the new guy with patience and understanding!!

Have a great day, and happy shaves!

Mike

[Atchbo]

Thanks, everybody. You guys have given more than enough already through this forum. The articles on honing, shaving, maintenance and so on are great. I'm just trying not to blow the bank on new stuff now that I've got a little son. I can see having a whole collection of knives, soaps, brushes and strops, not to mention stones, etc. I'm at the point where I want a jeweller's loupe so I can see what's going on at the edge!

Oh, and re the cigars, I just received a box of Bolivar petit coronas from my 'source'. Can't wait till they're rested. That's a whole other obsession. I'd care not to talk about both expensive habits in the same thread... let's just say that I can back off the purchasing due to lack of space in both my big and small humidors.

[Atchbo]

Wow, in case anybody cares... I have just broken into my expansion of razors! I bought a couple off ebay and have been working on my honing skills. It's been mostly crap (both the razors and the honing skills), but then... I won an auction for an old Wade & Butcher! It's this one, the French/Irish point 6/8: Wade & Butcher "Unspecified" 6/8 2 - Straight Razor Place Wiki

The scales are flea bitten and the blade was dull but I managed to set a double bevel and I'm just waiting for enough growth to justify shaving with it. Man, the steel is thick and heavy, and it was a beast to hone compared to the thin little things I've been working with. I'm not sure whether to remark about my Norton combo... I haven't been able to get a razor to pop hanging hairs like I've seen online, but the Butcher is now basically sharp. With such hard steel, I can't imagine how a strop would make any difference to the darn thing. Anyway, from my tests so far, this is the razor I've been hoping for. Solid, heavy, capable, and smooth!