Thread: Hello from MD

Hello. I have been thinking about learning how to use a straight razor for a few weeks now. I almost bought one last week but decided against making the purchase right then. I'm now really glad I didn't after finding this forum and learning what "shave-ready" really means.

I've been reading through tutorials online, the wiki articles here, and watching youtube videos of everything I can find. I am pretty much ready to take the plunge but need to figure out what setup I want. I'd like to go with a Hart since they are made in the US, come legitimately shave-ready, and I like how they look. I don't mind the extra cost for those features except that I'm afraid that I will make a mistake and destroy it.

Greg

Welcome to SRP
If a Hart tickles your fancy, then go for it!
Lots of people on here enjoying those!

I ended up ordering the Hart 6/8 round point on Monday and it shipped yesterday. Trying to wait patiently (checking USPS' site every 30 minutes instead of every 15) for updates on when it will arrive.

Originally Posted by Xavyor

I ended up ordering the Hart 6/8 round point on Monday and it shipped yesterday. Trying to wait patiently (checking USPS' site every 30 minutes instead of every 15) for updates on when it will arrive.

Hehe, yeah, I know all about that feeling...
Congrats on your new razor!

Welcome to the forum... It's always rough waiting on a new razor. But well worth it once you have it in your hand! Good luck, and have you gotten a strop, brush, and soap yet?

Those are just as important as the razor. I fell in love with Tandy leather company, I got a 9-10 lb. Veg Tanned double shoulder that made like 20 leather strops, got some smaller latigo straps at 2 1/2" then went to mary Jo's fabrics and got some different types of webbing and straps with different grains and have been expirimenting! I found that half the fun is in the search, and I am going back out to the hardware store this evening...

Welcome to the SRP. Have fun and ask questions about what you read.

I bought a strop along with my razor so it will come at the same time. I'm sure that I will get more strops (or possibly make my own after reading your progress) once I figure out more about the process.

I have some shaving cream from The Body Shop that I have used for a while with my old razor which was decent even without frothing it. I have the small sample pack from AOS which has pre-shave oil, shaving cream, and after shave lotion. I'm saving that for one of my early straight razor shaves and will buy more if I like it. I also have up a bar of shaving soap and a cheap brush. I will need to replace the brush soon since it was shedding bristles the one time I used it. I've been too busy studying up on shaving and stropping techniques to research the different soaps, brushes, and other parts of it.

Yochatman - Thx for the word on strop fabric. I just searched mary Jo's, and couldn't find anything in canvas/linen except a 36" width cloth. Have you found a good linen webbing for strops?

Where are you located? Mary Jo's in Gastonia? I didn't know there was more than one... Or did you go to the Chain Jo Ann's? They have the webbing in the notions with the lace and ribbon.

Hello and welcome to SRP from just south in VA!