Thread: Hello from Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

This is my first post 10 minutes after a very successful 1st ever straight shave.

A little background... I'm finding SR shaving as I enter my mid 40's, always hated electric razors, so I've been a Mach? user for many years. I really can't quite put my finger on the decision to make the switch, I just really enjoy historical topics and pastimes. Looking for old ghostowns, admiring the people out there that take that forgotten thing, be it a car, aircraft, house or curling iron, and making it new again.
Anyway... wet shaving with a straight razor looked like something that would be interesting to look into and perhaps try. I educated myself as best I could, eventually finding myself here at SRP. I read and watched, looked around the internet at what's indeed out there for suppliers and retailers, and eventually found myself in the classifieds here. Low and behold there is a razor for sale... by a member here who lives just across town. I contact rmalak and we make a deal, we meet up for the exchange of item for funds, and of course get to chatting. We share a few interests and I dare say I made a friend that night. Very helpful and informative, a great pleasure to meet and deal with, and I leave the owner of a Robeson ShurEdge razor.

So, tonight I give this thing a go! Have a hot shower and give my face a scrub with Body Shop Maca Root Face Scrub, then build a nice lather using their Maca Root Shave Cream, I've been using this in conjunction with my disposable for years so I know the product well. My 10 buck Wilkinson brush does the job in my replica RMS Titanic 3rd class coffee mug at whipping up a decent lather. Arming myself with my new (old) razor I proceed to take the 1st tentative shaving strokes beginning at the recommended side-burn... and not judging depth and angle all to well in the mirror... slice my ear! Nothing serious, just enough to slow me down to make deliberate, careful moves. After the wonderful start I proceed, and without a single (facial!!) nick, I get most of the job done! I leave the lip and chin well alone, and end up with a very smooth result... I read here not to expect much from your 1st attempts as a novice... but I am blown away by the result! Very smooth, very comfortable!

I thank you all gentlemen for your efforts here and look forward to "honing" my skills as a straight razor user!

Cheers!

Kent.

Hello 80malibu,

You have indeed been fortunate in this new endeavor. Meeting a fellow enthusiast, and not only, but getting your first razor from him, shave ready, it sounds like. I trust you got a few pointers also. Don't worry, that ear will grow back! Just kinda because I/we know it's coming, when that razor kind of balks and seems to stop and not want to proceed, STOP, or you will get your first sting and cut! Other than that ear. It'll happen eventually, but it does for everyone. Slow and easy and it sounds like you've done you homework so you're ahead of the game. Glad to have you on board and if we can ever help, let us know. PM (personal messaging) or on the forum. Welcome to SRP!!, and Enjoy!!!

Regards,
Howard

PS: I'm sure Calgary has changed a lot, for the better, but we drove through in 1983 on our way to Alaska and it's a beautiful City. We stayed at a campground just NW of the City. The mosquitos weren't too bad , but I heard one ask another one "do you want eat'm here, or take'm with us?" Lived in Alaska 14 years and retired from there, and those mosquitos must have followed us up there!!!

Thanks Howard,
Sounds like you stayed at the old KOA just off the Trans Canada Hwy, skeeters this year were non existent for me, but I heard there were a few cases of West Nile Disease reported here in the province.
I'm stalled out until I find a source for a strop, Richard mentioned Lee Valley Tools as a choice for a bench or paddle type, I'll check there.

Thanks for the welcome and tips!

Originally Posted by 80malibu

Thanks Howard,
Sounds like you stayed at the old KOA just off the Trans Canada Hwy, skeeters this year were non existent for me, but I heard there were a few cases of West Nile Disease reported here in the province.
I'm stalled out until I find a source for a strop, Richard mentioned Lee Valley Tools as a choice for a bench or paddle type, I'll check there.

Thanks for the welcome and tips!

Check out Tandy leather.com they sell strips of 3 inch leather and all the hardware to make your own. They might even have a store in Calgary since they are Canadian.

Welcome Kent! I'm happy to hear that you had a good first experience and that I could be a small part of that is great. Your first shave went a lot better than mine I can tell you. lol

The Tandy Leather recommend is probably a good bet. I have never been there myself but I know there is at least one in town on McLeod Trail.

I agree they are not exactly the ideal size for straight razors but since they work just fine, are inexpensive, and you are most likely going to nick up your first strop anyway, why not.

Welcome from a fellow Albertan. Sounds like you're off to a great start...enjoy

Well, I've gone ahead and ordered an llinois Razor Strop Co. 827 from Fendrihan, along with a Pure Grey Badger Shaving Brush... mostly because I likely should replace my cheapie Wilkinson job, plus it came with a little stand to keep it in the proper position for drying/storage.

Howard had mentioned "draw", and the one I ordered advertises "more drag than a regular strop, thus allowing to bring a razor into shape much faster" I hope this wasn't a novice mistake. I'll take it slow and work out my stropping technique.

You shouldn't have any trouble. Like you said, take it slow and you'll get it down fine. I was just thinking of some that really have a lot of draw and I think it's harder starting out to get the feel on them. Congrats on your purchase and hope you get some really great shaves right from the beginning!!

Best Regards,

Howard