Thread: Hi! New member from Seattle - just learning the ropes

Welcome and hope to see you around. Get your wife a DE, and maybe she'll be interested in attending local meets.

I just received my new/old Carl Monkhouse 5/8 back from Vulcan Knife works in Seattle and am VERY happy. I'm not an expert, but the edge is unbelievably sharp, perfectly straight, and polished mirror bright. He took the time to clean the scales a bit, and tightened the pins too! The owner, Paul, was great - I asked him a bunch of questions about his straight razor experience and he has done more than a few - he even has a few for sale that he has picked up, refurbished, and has shave ready. He has been playing with the idea of opening up a corner of his shop that will be dedicated to wet shaving and the 'gentleman's arts'. I think there is ample interest in the Seattle area and encouraged him to do it! I believe he would carry strops, razors he has refinished, and a (perhaps) a few local shaving products. He also did an amazing job on my grandads KABAR, but that's another board entirely. Pictures in the following post.

Contact info for Vulcan Knife Works:
2419 NW Market St
(between N 24th Ave & N Shilshole Ave)
Seattle, WA 98107
Neighborhood: Ballard

And one more!

I am really happy with this blade!

Now to use it!

I'll post a little more after my first shave (probably going to be conservative and just hit the major plane of my right cheek).

Welcome from a fellow Northwesterner! That is a beautiful razor. The blade came out very well and I really like the scales. Glad to have you in the club and I hope you have a great time learning to straight razor shave.

Hello from another newbie. Great resources here!

Thanks for sharing about Vulcan - I'll go there

You should!

I thought Paul, the owner, was very cool - and the price seemed good. It was $30.00~$35.00 for hone, high polish, and repair. I would encourage him to follow through with his straight razor 'corner' if you talk to him (I have a little self interest here - he is just down the street from me ).

To be fair - a more experienced shaver should check out his work - as a Newb, I may not have the sense to tell a good hone from bad. On my first swipe last night though, I thought the razor performed well. I only did the flattest parts of my cheeks, and it seemed easy and smooth - the hairs make the coolest little noise when they get cut through - it's AWESOME!

It was also the first time I've used a pre-shave oil. I went with a mandarin orange scented bottle from eshave. It was pretty incredible - even if I don't use a straight every shave, I will use the oil - it feels great before, during, and after. The shaving soap was also from eshave, and was thick and easy to encourage into a big white santa-style poof of lather.

Good times!