Thread: Newbie from Colorado

Hello all!

*stands up like at an AA meeting*
My name is Corey and I am a straight razor newbie. Ive never really been huge into shaving as I never found that great of a feeling after shaving. I have tried all different brands of regular razors and am a typical guy who's just going through the process. Being that I never had a father figure around to teach me, I never had a connection with shaving. Recently I was reading more and more about straight razors and the shaves that come with them and it has really sparked my desire for the close shave, the comfort and the ritual. My wife is planning on purchasing me a blade for my birthday next month (as its the only time I have ever asked for a present). I am looking forward to my expedition into this personally unknown territory as well as getting to know you all and learning what I can from you.

Welcome to SRP CoreyZ. There is a ton of information for people to start straight shaving in this site's Wiki. Please ask any questions you wish and I'm sure you will get an answer. Read the info and give it a go! Good luck.

Welcome Corey,
this is a fun adventure. keep in mind you will also need a strop to go with that pro honed razor. the other things you need are a a brush and some type of soap or cream, the stuff in the can really does not provide enough cushion and lubrication for a straight razor shave. but those 2 items can usually be found in local stores, they will likely be on the lower end of the scale but will work fine until the budget allows the expensive toys.

please remember that for many of us this is not just the ritual of a great shave but it is also a hobby, which like all hobbies can get expensive if you are not careful. start slow and gradually build up. when SWMBO complains remind her that there are worse things you could be spending money on

once you get the good close shaves going she will come around and help you acquire more toys... after all she gets half the benefit of a good shave.

enjoy,
jim

Thanks for the welcome guys!

Ive already started my "wish list" for my birthday... If any of these are not good to use, let me know. Ive been reading as much as I can and making what guesses I can on the items...

Razor - Dovo "Best Quality" 5/8 black
Strop - Fromm Razor Strop 2 1/2" X 23" W/Handle
Brush - Edwin Jagger Traditional English Best Badger Hair Shaving Brush Faux Ebony Medium With Drip Stand, Black, Medium
Cup - Edwin Jagger Traditional Black Porcelain Shaving Soap Bowl With Handle, Black
Cream - L'Occitane Cade Shaving Cream or Proraso Eucalyptus and Menthol Shaving Cream
Pre-shave - Origin's Easy Slider Pre-shave oil
Some Fromm Strop Dressing, 4-Ounce Bottle

Welcome fellow Coloradoan!!

Originally Posted by CoreyZ

...
Razor - Dovo "Best Quality" 5/8 black Excellent choice. Just make sure it is "shave ready" coming from the retailer.
Strop - Fromm Razor Strop 2 1/2" X 23" W/Handle Another good choice.
Brush - Edwin Jagger Traditional English Best Badger Hair Shaving Brush Faux Ebony Medium With Drip Stand, Black, Medium Good choice.
Cup - Edwin Jagger Traditional Black Porcelain Shaving Soap Bowl With Handle, Black A good choice however, this may not be needed unless you use soap pucks. You can use a cheap bowl to whip up good lather from a cream. I found a cereal bowl at Marshalls for $2 that works great for creams.
Cream - L'Occitane Cade Shaving Cream or Proraso Eucalyptus and Menthol Shaving Cream Both are good but I would point you towards the Proraso. Proraso can be found locally in our area just look for Bath and Body Works and ask for CO Bigelow. It's the same company and the same cream just branded differently and is really easy to lather up for new gents and experienced alike.
Pre-shave - Origin's Easy Slider Pre-shave oil Good choice. I usually don't recommend this to new gents but a good pre-shave oil is always nice to have in the arsenal. Also, if you like the smell of Proraso or CO Bigelow you might want to check out Proraso pre/post shave cream.
Some Fromm Strop Dressing, 4-Ounce Bottle This isn't needed. We live in a dry climate area and I don't even need it. Just rub your palm over the strop a few times before stropping your razor. This method works very well. The oil is more for super dry climates or people restoring old strops.

All in all those look like great choices. If you are interested check some other sites that offer razor/strop/brush packages just to keep your options open. A couple of sites that come to mind are Classic Shaving and Straight Razor Designs.

Originally Posted by Logistics

Welcome fellow Coloradoan!!



All in all those look like great choices. If you are interested check some other sites that offer razor/strop/brush packages just to keep your options open. A couple of sites that come to mind are Classic Shaving and Straight Razor Designs.

That's great info! Thanks Logistics! Glad to get some input from a local, especially about the strop dressing. I was actually even reading the post this morning about running your palm over the strop before stropping the razor, so glad it coincides.

Oh Heeyy!

Have fun here fellow new comer!

Welcome from Utah.

Originally Posted by CoreyZ

Hello all!

*stands up like at an AA meeting*
My name is Corey and I am a straight razor newbie. Ive never really been huge into shaving as I never found that great of a feeling after shaving. I have tried all different brands of regular razors and am a typical guy who's just going through the process. Being that I never had a father figure around to teach me, I never had a connection with shaving. Recently I was reading more and more about straight razors and the shaves that come with them and it has really sparked my desire for the close shave, the comfort and the ritual. My wife is planning on purchasing me a blade for my birthday next month (as its the only time I have ever asked for a present). I am looking forward to my expedition into this personally unknown territory as well as getting to know you all and learning what I can from you.

good to hear your at SRP. it is a great place here with even better people. Please be sure you purchase a true straight razor and not some cheap pakistani one from ebay for 10 bucks. It will make your experience a nightmere. Enjoy and have fun. PM me with any questions or concerns...thanks,
Shayne

Originally Posted by sleekandsmooth

good to hear your at SRP. it is a great place here with even better people. Please be sure you purchase a true straight razor and not some cheap pakistani one from ebay for 10 bucks. It will make your experience a nightmere. Enjoy and have fun. PM me with any questions or concerns...thanks,
Shayne

Thanks Shayne!
Ive definitely done enough research to keep me away from those cheap blades. Figure unless I want to look like I got into a fight with Freddy Krueger, id better stick with quality components. I guess that goes for just about everything in life though.