Thread: 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...

Welcome to SRP. I don't know anything about the Gold Dollars, but whatever floats your boat. Have a good time. FWIW, I don't think you'll cut yourself so deeply that you wouldn't have time to stop the bleeding with some TP before you died. But I guess it's possible. :P

welcome, I have never even seen a gold dollar razor but there are indeed people who did some work on them and they claim that afterwards they shaved good. Hope so for you.

welcome fellow canuck

Do you have a picture of it?

Yes.



I shaved with it again, or at least I tried to. I did half my face WTG and then went and got my Dovo. Yes, it shaves, yes, it's decent. But it doesn't compare to the Dovo. I won't use it again I don't think.