Scared Excitement

Hi Everyone!

I'm very interested in straight razors and have been for many years. I'm at a point in my life where I feel I can and should do something about it. So, I've started lurking on the internet, getting educated, and basically preapring myself for a new ritual.

Anyway, I figured I should introduce myself. Afterall, I've been lurking here a few days now and I did find the awesome raffle drawing for straight razor prizes! So, thank you for the advice you've already given and for the raffle entry. I hope you'll welcome me and put up with my dumb questions in the near future.

Hiplainsdrftr

PS - I'm really scared and excited by the way. I've found a barber and am going to get a 'shave' after work today. I have no idea if I'll be butchered or pampered. OR, if I'll even have it done. I merely asked if he does them and was told yes. How much? 8 bucks. I think I'm going through with it as long as he either uses new disposable blades or shows me some significant sterilization process for his razor.

G'Day and welcome to SRP.
I hope the shave goes well for you.
We all look forward to hearing about your journey as it progresses

Welcome to SRP and good luck!

Thank you both for the welcome.

I did get the shave. It was... an experience. It was kind of nice. He agreed to explain things as he was doing it, so I could learn. There was little to no explanation though. At one point I asked about what I had read... Something to the effect of a 30 degree angle and applied pressure. He had no explanation other than, after shaving for many many years, the details of the procedure are automatic. So we talked about Laguna Seca and Ziggy Marley. That's okay, I'll just pay attention and enjoy the shave.

He used a holder type razor with replaceable blades that break in half. Impressing him with my noob knowledge, I asked if it was a 'shavette' and he looked at me funny, asked 'what?', I repeated 'shavette' and he said he doesn't know what I'm talking about! He put a hot towel on my face and folded it nice so I could breath. He let that warm up and then used some soap (foam, cream I don't know the difference) that comes from a machine to make the foam and heat it up. Those things were pretty nice and I was starting to relax. He then starts to shave me and I realize, this is where TRUST comes into the picture. It's not so bad. I can feel the blade passing across my skin. I can feel him struggling to get the parts of my upper lip.

He did two passes for me. The second was no soap, but just warm water and the blade in the opposite direction. I worried about getting burnt, but that didn't happen. He put some stuff on my face maybe called osage with a heavy peppermint smell, saying it might burn a bit. Because my skin wasn't burnt, the stuff merely felt tingly on the skin... but my eyes! Oh my eyes were burnt and my sinuses were cleared. Whew, that is some potent stuff! I was planning my excuses, should I get pulled over for red eyes on the way home. Not stoned officer, just got a shave...

The end result was mostly that I have had an experience. For that I am thankful. I did not get a high quality shave and don't have a new place to recommend to anyone. He caught me with one tiny knick and a larger cut, though I felt neither at the time. He missed some of my upper lip. I am blond and he is old, so perhaps he couldn't see it, or wasn't sure if he felt it... I don't know, but it was a missed spot of significance. There were a couple of stragglers left on my neck as well, but even I miss those sometimes.

This experience did not turn me on or off to straight razor shaving. The fee was a mere 8 bucks and I felt that was fair for the task and I did tip the man. It totally turned me on to hot towels and warm shaving cream though! I want a hot lather making machine and some sort of towel steamer! That, my new friends, is luxurious living!

Yes sir, warm lather will spoil you especially on cold winter days.
I personally will never shave with a replacable blade str8 again, worst shave of my life! I get less cuts with a dull 'real' str8 razor.

First off ...Welcome to SRP. Second read the wiki,it's there to help answer all your questions.Third...before going willy nilly and buying hot lather machines and all that ,start out humbley .Lynn Abrams the founder here of SRP and proprietor of Straight Razor Designs alond with his partner Don, have some nice basic razors and quality strops(along with more high end items of course) and everything els you need.They also sell a dvd that covers all the basics as well ,that's a nice item to have. And fourth browse all the threads and ask questions. Also do not be tempted to buy off of e-bay as being a newb it's just safer till you learn the ins and outs of what's good and what's not. Seems like a lot of new guys head right to there like moths to a flame in the beginning.Again ...Welcome to SRP :chapeau

My version of a hot lather machine:

. . . a thin Japanese ceramic soup bowl filled with lather,
. . . floating in a sinkful of hot water.

Probably not as good as the real thing.<g>

Charles

Welcome to SRP Hiplainsdrftr!!!
Im new to the SR game... In fact i gave myself my first shave with an SR 2 days ago... I love it... Heres a link to my Experience

http://straightrazorpalace.com/showthread.php?t=88266

You couldnt have found a better place to start. The gents here are great. Try to soak up as much info/advice as possible and go for it. I was aprehensive as hell the other day but the second the blade touched my skin i knew there would be no turning back.

If you want to share any tips along the way let me know.

Tom

Hey guys. Thanks for the warm welcome and commentary! I can tell this is a fun forum and wish I could log on more frequently.

Just to let you know, I'm going to set aside my purchases of towel steamers and hot lather machines a while. I had a conversation with the Fiance last night and it's going to be hard to gain real estate in our bathroom. Actually, I was a bit surprised as she knows I'm gonna have some new swag to spread around. She says we're having a Bird theme and my manly products need to conform or hide in the cupboards! :( I'm contemplating converting the shop sink in my garage into a shave haven but would need to do something about the cold concrete. Notice that WE have a bathroom but I have a garage!


Anyway, I am kidding just a bit. I'm focussed on ordering my straight and strop, hopefully today. I might cruise to the mall and grab a starter kit at TAOS as I hear they are a great starting package. I will get scentless for now. If not, it's no biggy. I have my disposable crap and can-o-shame gel to fill in the gaps for now. I'm excited!

Around Christmas time, I'll have an idea of some products I might like and want to ask for. I learned of a thing called a 'scuttle' and that might be for me. I found the link to the hot/cold dip dish that serves as an affordable alternative. Seriously, this site is jam packed with knowledge for those not afraid to search or ask. For now, Charles' suggestion will work okay.

Anyway, I think it will be more fun to gradually add to my collection rather than get it all at once, set it up, and be done with it.

Look out for ridiculous questions by me in other threads!

Hiplainsdrftr