How is it going?

Hello Gents,

I am 31, been shaving for years but never with a straight razor; it has always intrigued me. So as soon as I shown the slightest interest, my wife talks me out of it. Too costly (which is true initially)! What I didn't know was that she was planning on encouraging this hobby because it meant I would shave more often. I hate shaving!

Well, she got me a Parker SRW safety razor to start. She wanted to make sure that I enjoyed the shave and was comfortable with the technique. Well I did and am! It is a nifty little device. My only issue is that I have a thick and coarse beard so after 1 shave the razor is nearly dull. Is that normal? If so, no big deal. I plan to upgrade to a real straight.

Which leads me to my second question. Any recommendations as to my next step up? Which manufacturer? Blade size? Grind? Just had a baby so my budget is limited.

Thanks!

Joey

You can always strop a straight razor in the middle of your shave, if it starts to get dull.

IMHO:

Minimum budget: Larry at Whipped Dog: Categories

. . . His "sight unseen" offer is hard to beat. The Poor Man's Strop is small, but perfectly usable.

Next higher cost: the Classifieds on this site for a vintage razor ($40-$60 should get you something nice), and Star Shaving for a strop.

New: Several vendors offer hand-honed Dovo "Best Quality" razors for about $80 -- Straight Razor Designs runs the site, and Lynn (one of the owners) is quite active. That's where mine came from. There may be a "lifetime honing" special available.

Don't buy a new Dovo unless you _know_ it's been honed; many people say the 'factory edge' isn't sharp enough to shave with.

Good luck --

. Charles

PS -- other recommendations may differ; we're a persnickety lot, here.