My name's Andy and I might have a problem ...

Not sure how I ended up at this juncture, but I know a few things ... one is that I hate shaving. I have a Mach 5000 or whatever and that's just too many blades. I also know that my fiancee hates stubble, so I have to motivate myself to scrape my face off at least once a week, which helps keep her happy.

At any rate, one thing led to another and I've been lurking here for a few days, reading a lot of useful information and valuable opinions. I'm seriously considering giving straight razor shaving a shot (and I doubt anyone here will try and stop me).

I think Whipped Dog is probably the most financially viable way of starting out ... don't want to drop too much dough if I don't have to (I can feed an acquisition disorder in a couple years when I have a full time job instead of an internship and tuition).

I'm currently studying mechanical engineering, which is sometimes (always) stressful. I'm hoping this could turn into a morning ritual that'll help get me going in the morning, as well as serving the dual purpose of keeping me looking sharp (pun definitely intended).

You will only get encouragement here. Whipped dog is probably a good start, and the classifieds on here are a good place to look for razors, etc. Big learning curve, but you will end up actually enjoying having a shave.

Welcome to SRP. Whipped dog has some great deals for starting out. Couple suggestions tho. I would begin your shaving when you have some spare time, both to relax and take your time. Trying to get out the door in the morning is not the best time to be learning to shave with a straight razor. I would suggest in the evening at home. Take your time and most importantly read and watch the videos posted in the forum on all manner of straight razor shaving.

Learn to strop. Stropping is king. I don't know if Larry (whipped dog) has 3 inch wide strops but I would recommend this width as a starting strop because you don't have to do x strokes with these. I hacked apart 2 strops trying to do that damnable x stroke and will never own a strop narrower than 3 inch now. Wath the video posted by AFDavis on how to do the finger flip and practice it on your strop with a bread knife.

Good luck!

Hmm....I don't think you have any problem at all. You're toying with the idea of straight razor shaving. You've found a good vendor who'll provide a shave ready razor. You don't have the time or interest yet in developing any acquisition disorders. I'd say you're all set. The only think I'd say to do, is concentrate on your school, and let this be something you learn slowly, over time, in the evenings. Stay away from the honing threads, the hone threads, and pretty much any thread that starts making you think you need to buy some stuff in order to have a viable opinion on the matter. lol. Use the library here for learning. I also suggest searching for someone with a mentor badge to pm your questions to. Throwing questions out in the open forum, becomes an exercise in learning how many different ways 30,000 people can see the same problem. Using just one persons input, is a very good way to avoid confusion. And if the question is truly unique, your mentor will probably suggest you put it in the open forum, so everyone can learn from it.

Actually my current problem is I shave with a 5-bladed razor for now ;)

Don't worry, I don't plan on trying to learn while rushed in the morning. At least for starters, it's gonna be evenings/weekends only. I eventually plan to get in a routine where I'm not rushed in the morning, and shaving with a straight becomes part of that. Baby steps, especially with the sharpest thing I'll ever touch!

I'm mixed on the strop width ... I like the price on the poor man's strop vs the rich man's strop (or strops elsewhere). I also like the idea of avoiding the X-pattern ... but dislike the idea of slicing a ~$60 strop in two. Slow and steady, practice with a butter knife ... things I do plan on doing.

Thanks for the input, guys!

Check the classifieds!

Set aside 30 minutes or more for your shave, you will find that is the bottom end of the clock. Enjoy the ride. I shave at night after supper, my bride (of 36 years) likes me better at bed time . . . :tu

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

Check the classifieds!

---

Thanks! I check periodically, but I see something that's a pretty good deal that I presume you're referring to ...

Hey welcome to SRP! I know I hated shaving as well, so I thought I would do something about it as well. In time, I am sure you'll be very glad you did - as I was. Your fiancee will be ecstatic lol. Not only because of the lack of stubble - your face will look better and the creams/soaps smell great too.

Anyway - learning to shave in college is a great time to learn! Rushing when you are learning is just not cool. How much cash you drop really is up to you. If you can though - try not to cheap out on your brush though. Soft is awesome.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by twobits

Thanks! I check periodically, but I see something that's a pretty good deal that I presume you're referring to ...

---

If you want to go cheap, you might look here Whipped Dog Straight Razor Shaving Equipment

Welcome to SRP. Enjoy the experience of learning what works for you and what does not. If you stick with this, you'll be amazed at how a chore you hate becomes something you look forward to each day. The complete "Me time" you'll experience is worth every bad shave with a straight rather than a 2 minute routine of slapping on some canned goo and scraping it off with a cartridge. If your current schedule and straights don't mix, look into a single/double edge razor for nearly the same results. Post any questions you have and enjoy.

Welcome to SRP and make your girlfriend happy ;)

Andy, welcome to the forum!

FWIW --

a) I don't know whether Whipped Dog has re-started shipping straight razors again. Larry had a family emergency.

b) If I were in your shoes, ordering from Whipped Dog, I'd also get one of his double-edge razors and a blade sampler. For about $20, it'll give you an alternative to the straight razors on mornings when you're rushed.

I have a rule:

. . . Never, never rush a straight-razor shave.

. . Charles

I'm not sure if Whipped Dog can do honed razors at the moment ... the notice on the homepage is gone, at least. I've been reading the blog, and it looks like his daughter is doing much better, but she still has a long way to go. I think I'll keep watching the forum for a deal like the one I missed the other day (curses!) for now, and maybe play Whipped Dog by ear. I'm sure Larry has a ton on his plate right now disregarding his business. I was planning on getting a brush and maybe a strop from him anyway, so picking up a safety razor might not be a bad idea (although if I'm rushed, I usually just skip shaving anyway).

One of my goals is to give myself a reason to take it slow in the AM ... something to look forward to if I actually get up with my alarm. It seems like a good way to collect my thoughts or clear my head as necessary, and finish waking up with a good splash of cold water (that's if sliding ultra-sharp steel across my carotid doesn't to that anyway!).

Speaking of strops, I'm torn now on whether to go with a narrower strop (e.g. the poor man's) or getting a 3" per Scookum's recommendation to me. I feel like I ought to be able to handle an x-pattern, but I also feel like I could put the blade clean through the leather all the same (and probably ruin the hone at the same time). Any other thoughts?

Thanks to everyone for the warm welcome ... not something one sees on the Internet very much!

You could do what I did: order the Rich Man Strop kit when they're out of rich man and get the Poor Man strop for free while they restock :D

Seriously though, I cannot say enough good things about Whipped Dog, and I truly wish for his daughter's recovery. The rich man strop is indeed a full three inches of quality strop, and I love having an actual handle to hold onto. Pulling the poor man strop taut always felt weird with nothing but the bottom of the strop itself to grab. @~@

Welcome to SRP, Andy.