Thread: New Member from New Mexico

Hello from New Mexico:

I wanted to drop in and introduce myself because I feel like I will be on this forum pretty frequently. I have never shaved with a straight razor before, but I have decided that I want to learn. In my search for information on the subject, I came across a number of fairly informative websites, but I never imagined that there would be a web forum for straight razor shaving, until I stumbled across this wonderful place this morning.

Right now I am a full time college student, about to graduate and move into a career. I guess I feel like straight razor shaving, for me, is a part of growing up and moving into the adult stage of my life. I hate disposable razors with a passion and disposable cartridges even more. I have gone through phases in my life where I would just refuse to shave because I didn't want to have to spend the $40 for a pack of cartridges that I was just going to throw away anyway (and which were probably going to just tear up my face since I tend to use them longer than I should). After learning about straight razor shaving, I think it will be a good way for me to reduce my waste and it could turn into a pretty cool hobby.

As I said, at this point I know virtually nothing about straight razor shaving, but have been using shaving soap and a boar bristle brush to prep my face for a shave with my disposable cartridges. I look forward to browsing the obvious wealth of knowledge available on this forum and I look forward to meeting those of you who are willing to help me develop my skills in this area.

I also hope to maybe use this forum as an opportunity to meet others in NM who are into straight razor shaving, because I don't even know where to start. My big challenge at this point is money to get started. I have read some postings from people saying that everything they use to shave cost them only $50 (not bad at all) and others stating that it was more like $500 (way too rich for my blood . . . no pun intended). I was hoping maybe some Albuquerque locals could point me in a good direction for finding some decent beginner equipment (or maybe some kind enthusiast would part with an unused blade). I know a lot of members recommend antique stores to find good razors, but I honestly wouldn't even know where to begin looking here.

Again, I look forward to meeting you all (especially those of you living in my area of the world), and thanks in advance for answering all of the stupid questions that are sure to come.