New member from NY

Hey Guys,

I just wanted to introduce myself to other aficionados like myself. Although I tried straight edge shaving for the first time yesterday I have been lurking for a few weeks.

I started with a disposable just to see if I would like it and its safe to say that I am in love. My first experience was pretty good in my book. One nick and some razor burn but that was mostly because of the way my hair grows around my neck. I need to learn how to shave with the grain.

Here is a picture of the setup I currently have:

Black badger pure brush
The Art of Shaving lemon essential soap and lemon pre-shave oil

I will continue to use my disposable straight edge for the next couple of times but I wanted to see what everyone's thoughts are on a good "beginner" straight razor?

I have done some reading here and many say that going with a 5/8 blade, half hollow with a round tip DOVO would do the trick. What do the Gurus think?

Hopefully this will be the first of many posts I will make and hope to contribute to the community down the road!!!

Thanks,

OC

Welcome aboard..the razor you wrote is a good starter. Round points are your friend..less likely to get yourself with the point.
Do a search for the new York long island meet up and see if you can join..great way to see and hear from guys been doing it a while.
Good luck the rest of the way.
Feel free tip post questions away but also remember the wiki and search features to..
Anthony

So after my second shave with the disposable blades I decide to buy my new SR. This is what I got:

Dovo Best Quality Black 5/8" Straight Razor & Strop Set from SRD. I upgraded to the 3" Black Latigo Leather instead of the 2"

Now I can't wait for everything to arrive!!!!

Nice! Great start up gear. Hope to see you at the meet.

It finally got here! My new Dovo from SRD. Here are a couple of shots I took after my first shave with her. All I can say is "WOW". What a difference between a shavette and this beauty.

I still have to work on my technique but I think I am getting some good results. I really have to learn a way to shave from west to east around the neck area.

Looking good, man! I also bought a Dovo BQ 5/8" as my starter razor & it's a great shaver, even compared to some other more expensive razors I have acquired...

Welcome to the forum! Enjoy your razor. Also hope to see you at the meetup in ft lee on the 13th

Michael

I would just like to suggest, after you get acustomed to shaving your face, try the 6/8 size razors for your next razor. If your looking into honing your own in the future DON'T START ON YOUR SHAVERS. Buy a razor that will take and hold an edge from either whipped dog (this would be my choice and you can request that he not hone it for you) or ebay etc. Actually my favorite razor I got off ebay for 22 bucks and I had to sand some surface rust off of it. Its a GENCO fluid steel 5/8 and it holds a damn fine edge. back to the subject of honing I highly reccomend SRD for the purchase of your hones. I recently purchased a naniwa ss 1k & 12k from SRD and I couldn't be more satisfied. I also have a king 220g-1k, a norton 4k-8k, and a chineese 12k (but I no longer use the chineese). You'll also need either a lapping plate/stone/hone or a slab of something made to lap on (like granite) and some 220g wet dry sandpaper. But instead of rambling on I'm just gonna say good luck and happy new year

Thank you guys!

I will try to make it to the meet on the 13th if I can. It would be fun to meet other "crazy" guys.

As far as switching to a bigger blade, like you said I have to get used to shaving first and then try a bigger blade. Also, I will definitely get into honing but that is still a couple of months away.