Thread: Newb from Calgary

Hello Straight Shaving World

After looking online for solutions to irritation from shaving I found myself on this site. Initially I was only looking to change the shaving cream I was using but after a few weeks reading on this site I decided to order a straight razor along with new shaving cream, a better brush and a strop. Should be getting my Dovo forestal today, looking forward to learning how to prep and shave properly it's going to be a lot of fun.

Bobby

Welcome Bobby!

You have found yourself a very welcoming and friendly community here at SRP. If you have any questions, please ask away.

Just a note of caution: depending on where you purchased it, your new Dovo may or may not be actually 'shave-ready'. Some vendors professionally hone them while others sell them in the same condition in which they arrive from the factory. Generally speaking, those factory edges tend not to be shave-ready.

When it does arrive, take it easy and go slow. This tends to be an area of life where rushing things doesn't pay off very well.

Welcome aboard!

Welcome to SRP fellow Calgarian!! Not having bought a new razor I can't speak from experience but I have heard many times that the factory edge is not reliably shave ready for sure. Having done a bit of honing on my own razors it can make the difference between a bad shave and a good one.

It sounds like you are well on your way to a great shave and a fun new hobby.

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!