Thread: Hello from Los Angeles, California

Hello everyone,

Total newb here. I've been using canned gels, cartridges, and disposables for too long. What started as a mild interest in getting some higher-end shaving soaps and a brush has turned into several weeks of discovering and learning about straight razor shaving. I have become quite excited to change the act of shaving from drudgery to something that I can enjoy. I've been all over the net looking around, but keep returning again and again to this community, which seems to be full of encouragement for newbies and has loads of great information--so here I am.

Perhaps the smartest thing I've done so far about straight shaving is "nothing". By that I mean, I didn't get so excited that I bought a cheap ebay razor or other gear only to regret it. I've just kept reading and learning and I'm glad I did.

I hope to find a couple of excellent shavers here in the SRP Classifieds from some of you veteran straight shaver/honers out there who are willing to help a new guy get a truly good blade because I know nothing at this point and I don't want to entertain a "blame it on the razor" thang while I learn. If I've got a good blade in my hand, then I know it's my prep and technique that needs work. Being a musician all my life and having studied martial arts for some time I think I'll be well suited to having the necessary patience during the learning curve. Besides, my wife thinks it's sexy that I'm taking up the straight razor and I've also learned to take those brownie points whenever I can get them!

I think these straight razors are just beautiful, artful tools, even the simple ones, and the expensive and custom ones I've seen are true works of art! I love the idea of using something that old that was meant to provide years of functional use--when things were built to actually last a lifetime and more!

One question that comes to mind immediately is about my long sideburns, which are down to about my jaw line. I've read the beginner's guide and it seems this is the best area to start to get the feel of a straight razor. My dilemma is that my wife has vetoed the shaving of said chops, even temporarily, so I hope I can literally work around it. I've been married long enough fellas (and truly love my wife--she's a great lady)-- I know to pick my battles and this isn't one I'm inclined to pick unless it's that important. If any of you have any pointers about working around beards, goats, 'burns etc I'm all ears. For instance, will I eventually get proficient enough to use a straight to touch up that nice straight line at the bottom of my 'burns or is that a recipe for some old fashioned blood-letting no matter how much one has shaved?

I look forward to learning more from all of you and of course, shaving (I can't believe I just said that...).

First of all welcome! Secondly you CAN find a great shaver in the classifieds and very reasonable. Congrats on the brownie points, depending on mood they can be hard to come by.
One thing I have found here is the generosity of the members not only with advice but their time and sometimes their stuff. It is an awesome community you have found here.
As far as the chops go absolutely you can work around them. I have a goatee and I know others here have well groomed beards and I'm sure there is someone with chops. If you have questions and cant find the answer either in threads or in the Wiki just ask. Good luck and enjoy.