Hi from Newfoundland, Canada
Hi everyone. Just bought my first straight razor, sort of. I ordered one, I wish I went out and bought it! I tried to buy locally, I believe in supporting local business but even though I'm in the capitol St. John's no one sells straight razors here. No one. Wow. A few local barbers sell the disposable type but I'm not interested in those.
So what did I buy? I know some will say I wasted my money but a Gold Dollar 66. Not off ebay however, from a website (I won't say where because it's probably not allowed) where the guy does some work to them first including honing. So why buy a razor that from my earlier comment I obviously know people have a poor opinion of? Cost. What else? It was about $25, I'm just not ready to throw down $100+ for a razor, I may yet find I don't have the patience for shaving this way. I did look around for some vintage razors I could get a deal on but didn't see anything I liked. I did do quite a bit of research first and think the GD shouldn't be too bad because it's been 'fixed.' The general consensus I got from reviews here and elsewhere is they are decent if properly set up. If I find I enjoy what I'm doing but suck at it I'll spring for a new one because it'll be as likely the razor's fault from what I've read as my own technique. I have my eye on a few models I like. Considering my hat collection I think I'll likely end up with a razor collection too.
Shaving history: Like most people my age (41) I grew up using 2 blade disposables and white foamy canned cream. Tore my neck up a lot, I have a patch that grows upwards and even shaving the other way was a problem. Made the progression to 3 blades and now using 5. By then I'd switched to shaving gels but still from a can. About 4 or 5 years ago I was at a lady friend's house and there was a shaving brush in her medicine cabinet, she said an old boyfriend left it there and let me have it. From then on I used regular soap and the brush with a 5 blade disposable. I wasn't tearing up my neck anymore but it did and does get red often after a shave. Haven't cut myself in years. Then about 6 months ago switched to shaving soaps, haven't settled on a brand yet, having too much fun trying them all. I figure it's now time to go all the way and switch to a straight.
I like old things so this might be right up my alley. I wear glasses, never tried contacts, don't want to. I collect fedoras. I carry a wind up pocket watch. So why not shave with a straight? I used to smoke a pipe and sometimes it was great to just go through the motions and ritual of firing up a bowl. I'm sure there will be days when I still scrape the old disposable over my face if I'm in a hurry but I can see me getting into this straight razor shaving thing somehow.
Now if only I don't slit my throat and die... :)
