Thread: Hello from Spain

Hello, I am a 43 yrs old wet shaver from Spain which has been trying to become a straight razor user for almost two years. I have been lurking here since, and now would like to introduce myself to you all and, of course, thank you for all the things I have learnt here.
I tried my hand at straight razor shaving when I was 17. I found a huge Filarmonica (sadly lost) at home (the one my father used until he switched to safety DE razors in the 50´s (he was born 1928)). I gave it a go and got three nice perfectly paralell cuts of about 3 cm each, separated by 1 mm, under my right sideburn.
Many years later (June 2010) I decided to give it another go, bought a couple of Dovo razors, read a lot of forums and went ahead. Results were mixed: no cuts but mediocre hair removal and strong irritation. As the spanish forum in which I learnt most (Afeitado Clasico, Classic Shave) is dedicated to both straight razors and DE´s, I ended up leaving the Gillette multi blades and switching to DE´s. I had always used Shaving Soap and a brush: the change was very smooth. In Fall 2010 I tried again the straight razor. I bought hones, diamond pastes, balsa wood and went ahead thinking that the lack of results in my first attempt were due to poorly honed razors. Things were better, but I ended up returning to DE´s. Then, a year later (October 2011) I tried again. As I thought my diffculties were related to honing rather than technique, I sent my then 4 razors (1 Dovo Special tortoise 5/8, one Dovo Bismarck 6/8, one Dovo Stainless 6/8 black scales and another like this one in olive wood scales) to a member of the spanish forum who kindly offered to hone them for me. I was very surprised to learn that he found 3 of them in very good shape (although in need of stropping) and one as an excellently honed one (the 5/8 tortoise shell). It seemed that my honing technique was not bad, and that I should concentrate on my shaving skills. He touched them up and sent them back with advice, not on how to hone, but on shaving. Since then, I have concentrated in shaving, and things are getting much better.
I bought my first spanish razor 10 days ago (a Palmera 14 (7/8) NOS), honed it, shaved with it, and decided I would try later, since it is much bigger than what I am used to, and I believe it is wiser to improve technique with smaller ones. It seemed, curiously, easier to use than smaller ones on some areas; of course, on the really tricky ones (chin and moustache for me) smaller ones seem easy to use. What a sound does it make! Wish my Dovos did.
I don´t want to outstay my welcome, but would like to thank you all again for all the things I have learnt from you. I have little advice to offer but, if I ever do, I´ll be very happy to contribute.
Ahumador.

Welcome aboard ahumador!

Welcome
I too tried wet shaving with a straight razor 28 years ago when my wife bought me a straight razor, strop mug and brush. I didn't know the blade was not shave ready but I tried to shave with anyway. After a year of bad shaves I gave up. I came upon the razor recently and after searching the internet I came upon this forum. After sending my razor to be honed by Lynn,I enjoyed the closest shave of my life. I am never going back to disposables. Enjoy the journey and beware of RAD.

Hola, bienvenidos a SRP

Thank you very much for your welcome!