Finally through lurkin--New from sunny Central Iowa!

Cheers, all!

I am new here, but excited to begin the lifetime journey!

I have always loved all things 'old', and have always wanted to shave with a straight razor.

For example:
My wife is my number one cheerleader in my quest to find the right '66 Mustang GT convertible to drive for the rest of our summers.
I love cigars, and have never met a Fuente I didn't like (I am a Hemingway junkie, and have about 30 in my humidor).
I like scotch, and nothing goes down better than a sip of neat Balvenie Doublewood 12-year-old nectar.
I have two bottles of Templeton Rye at home waiting for special occasions ;) Templeton Rye – Prohibition Era Whiskey | Enjoy inconspicuously. and Templeton Rye - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (I was lucky to get both of them...hard to come by)
When we travel, the better half and I prefer staying in B&Bs, the closer to antebellum, the better!

So, it is natural, that with another mid-40s birthday coming, that I would finally pull the trigger on shaving like a big boy! I am ready to take the plunge, but am starting slowly...

I fully intend to get a 'sight unseen' deal from Larry at Whippeddog, and will also get the second strop. Sounds as if I cannot go wrong. It takes the worry out of brand and style, and lets me get good at shaving first, eh?

I also have my eye on a Muhle synthetic silvertip brush, but I am pretty flexible as to what brush I will end up with. I like non-animal items when possible, though.

So, my biggest question is--what soap do I get, and what do I whip it up in?

I'd rather do something where I get some sample sizes of a bunch of different soaps, rather than buying several large pucks/tubes and then trying to sell them off later. I do like peppermint and eucalyptus, but am not wedded to those either.

And, am I fine if I use an old mug? Or some pottery I get from one of my kids at school in pottery class? (I am a H.S. chemistry teacher...gone 'bad' from the world of research biochemistry). Something from the local decorate it yourself pottery store?

Looking forward to hearring from anyone with advice! I am simply mesmerized by the knowledge and friendliness here!

Thanks in advance.

Scott

Wellcome
Start with small steps,sorta like when you learned to walk:) go down to CVS pharmacy,you can get an inexpensive syn brush for a few bucks,call around, alot of places carry proraso soap in a tube,just face lather and learn slowly,enjoy the journey.baby steps man.

Hi and welcome to SRP! :)

Take a look at some of the soap vendors here in the vendor section - some of them offer sampler packs I'm sure (or at least some of them used to).

An old mug is fine - your biggest issue may be the size of the mug and the soap not matching up, but that is not really a problem so much as a small inconvenience.

I have not tried one myself, but I am sure that the synthetic brush you mention will do the job admirably.

Good luck!

James.

Scott,

Depending on what part of Iowa, I would be happy to get together with you in person, and provide any help I can. I remember when I first started shaving a little over a year ago and couldn't find anyone in central Iowa. I am in Ames Iowa if you are anywhere close.

Nathan