Thread: Newb from Calgary

Hi from another Calgarian. Are you looking forward to the RAD. I've only been straight shaving for six weeks and have managed to aquire 15!

Hi, Bobby, and welcome to SRP!

Good to see a fellow countrymen joining the straight razor club! This place has a ton of info, take note of the library, lotsa "stuff" there. Beware of the aquisition addictions!

Edit: hey, someone thanked me, my first!
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Thanks for the warm welcome everyone. Cangooner, I asked the vendor before I purchased the razor if they honed them, turns out they don't. I'll just have to have a really good prep and try the shave test on the right side sideburn I guess. If I struggle and think I need to get it honed I read on the forum there is a place in Calgary where I can get it honed.

Hopefully I don't get the acquisition addiction too bad, this hobby could turn into an expensive one.

Stani, you will develop an AD of some sort, be it razors, brushes, strops, soaps, hones or cotis. I guarantee it!

Welcome from a fellow Albertan You wont regret the switch to straight shaving..its well worth it. Just be aware that there is a learning curve and the perfect shave wont come overnight. Do lots of reading here and ask questions and you'll be fine Enjoy.

Originally Posted by Stani

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone. Cangooner, I asked the vendor before I purchased the razor if they honed them, turns out they don't. I'll just have to have a really good prep and try the shave test on the right side sideburn I guess. If I struggle and think I need to get it honed I read on the forum there is a place in Calgary where I can get it honed.

Hopefully I don't get the acquisition addiction too bad, this hobby could turn into an expensive one.

I am going to offer a piece of friendly advice that will possibly try your patience: send it for honing right now. Do not pass Go, do not collect $200...

I know from experience that trying to shave with an iffy edge is a mild form of torture. Not only to one's face but also to one's ego, self-confidence, and general enjoyment of this process. I used my first straight razor for a long, LONG time before I sent it for honing after taking a wee chip out of the edge by whacking it on a faucet. When it came back it was like night and day. The thing actually *worked* for the first time. Until then I had continued to use it not because it worked well, but because I refused to pay a fortune for crappy cartridges any longer. Suddenly shaving with a straight became an enjoyable experience.

So please don't make the mistake I did and stick it out with a crappy edge. It really isn't worth it! Maybe you're a lucky one who gets a decent edge from the factory. If so, count your blessings and enjoy it! If not, don't hesitate to get it honed. It will make a world of difference.

Good luck!

Originally Posted by Cangooner

I am going to offer a piece of friendly advice that will possibly try your patience: send it for honing right now. Do not pass Go, do not collect $200...

I know from experience that trying to shave with an iffy edge is a mild form of torture. Not only to one's face but also to one's ego, self-confidence, and general enjoyment of this process. I used my first straight razor for a long, LONG time before I sent it for honing after taking a wee chip out of the edge by whacking it on a faucet. When it came back it was like night and day. The thing actually *worked* for the first time. Until then I had continued to use it not because it worked well, but because I refused to pay a fortune for crappy cartridges any longer. Suddenly shaving with a straight became an enjoyable experience.

So please don't make the mistake I did and stick it out with a crappy edge. It really isn't worth it! Maybe you're a lucky one who gets a decent edge from the factory. If so, count your blessings and enjoy it! If not, don't hesitate to get it honed. It will make a world of difference.

Good luck!

+1 on this. One of the first razors I got was a Dovo Bismarck from SRD, and I can confirm that comparing it to some of the other razors I have bought on ebay there is a huge difference from a honemeister honed blade, as something that is so so.

Welcome Bobby, one more fellow Albertan has taken up the straight!

Originally Posted by Cangooner

So please don't make the mistake I did and stick it out with a crappy edge. It really isn't worth it! Maybe you're a lucky one who gets a decent edge from the factory. If so, count your blessings and enjoy it! If not, don't hesitate to get it honed. It will make a world of difference.

Good luck!

Thanks for the advice. I took the razor to the shop where they hone blades, they made sure I was good to go and I had my first partial shave yesterday. Only did the sideburns to jaw on each side. I'm definately shakey on the left side, and have a ton to learn but it was also the most fun I've had shaving in a long time. Can't wait for my next shave.