Thread: Hello all from the Dallas area!!

Here's a warm greeting to all the contributors on this site that make it the jewel of information that it is.

I'm not new to wet shaving as I've been DE shaving for over a year. That has been fun and rewarding but the straight razor bug bit me a few weeks ago and my journey has begun.



I picked up a like new Dovo Special 5/8 which is beautiful in my eyes anyway (proud new parent). Anxious to use it, I found reference to a cutlery shop here in Plano that supposedly hones razors so I took it in yesterday. An hour and $10 dollars later I rushed home to have my maiden SR shave.

First I'll admit that my first SR shave was much more of a fine motor skill challenge than I thought it was going to be. I was convinced after watching countless videos that this would be a breeze. I was humbled, especially trying to use my left hand which I abandoned quickly (for my first shave anyway). I didn't nick myself, but I was surprised at the pulling and discomfort I had.

This is where I don't know what to attribute to form and what to attribute to the edge of the razor. Good beard prep is not new to me so I can comfortably rule that out. The razor could not pass the HHT test but it could shave my arm. My knife does that though and I wouldn't attempt to shave with it. I really want to think that the razor wasn't really shave ready. I was so ready for this razor to "mow down" my growth like I see in videos but in reality I couldn't even get it to go through my chin whiskers.

I do plan on doing my own honing eventually, but I feel like I need to have a standard to begin with. I am familiar with the big honemeisters on the forums, but would really like to get a good hone here locally if possible. Any recommendations in the Dallas area?

Thanks again for the site.

Drew