Thread: Greetings from Maryland

Very happy to join in! I am a beginner, and could use some help getting started.

Hi seboomerang,

I'm new myself so the experience I can give you is quite limited. However, I can point you to some very cool areas here at SRP that can help you get started.

First, a really good place to start is Frequently Asked Questions - Straight Razor Place Wiki

You can also access this from the Help menu and the first link, Razors, Shaving, Honing. This is a one-stop-shop with all kinds of information on all things straight razor.

Even though the above link gets into honing, which is sharpening your razor on a stone, I would suggest that you actually purchase a shave ready razor, when the time comes, from one of the members in the classifieds. You can access that from the menubar - Classifieds; here is a direct link: Main Index - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

There is also a wiki full of great information, also accessible from the menu bar. Straight Razor Place Wiki - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Also, there are two threads that members have posted which journal their experiences online here. You can see what their experiences were so you have an idea of what you might experience yourself.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...xperience.html

http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...tar-state.html

Obviously you're going to need a brush and shaving cream (or soap) as well as a straight razor. Eventually you may want to get into honing, even restoration; but try not to make the mistake of learning to hone and to shave at the same time. When it's time, purchase a shave ready straight and maybe other equipment in the classifieds here from trusted members; when you get proficient and confident in your ability to shave with a straight, you'll be better able to judge your own honing abilities, etc.

Good luck to you.

-Mark

Cool, thanks for the info, Mark! I am awaiting a new strop (Illinois 187 Russian Leather Strop) to come my way, and a couple of people eased my fears that I may have picked up something too rough for my razor. The consensus was that I could use a couple different (and easy) tricks to break it in and make it ready for my razor. Good stuff! Happy to be a member!

Originally Posted by seboomerang

Happy to be a member!

Me too. Welcome aboard.