Thread: Hello fellow straight razor fans!

Hello,
My name is John, I'm 27 and I'm a finish carpenter in the U.S. Army. I just ordered my first straight razor from a member of this site, and I'm eagerly awaiting it's arrival. Just thought I'd pop in a say hello, I'm looking forward to get to know the community, shave on everyone!

Welcome to SRP. Sounds like you got a good start. Hope you are getting the rest of your kit together ie strop, brush and shave soap or cream.

I have a lot of my kit in the mail and on the way, I've been using a brush for awhile now. I'm just looking for for a better soap. I also have 2 Shapton stones on the way, they were going to be for my tools at work but I see a second razor in my future for honing practice instead!

I see you caught the bug quick. Strap in for a wild ride.

You can get soap sample packs from the sites of some members here. I have yet to do that myself but have a shopping cart full somewhere, LOL. Welcome to SRP.

Yeah I have a thing for sharp stuff, hence the carpentry profession. So I figure what would be better then to wake up in the morning and put a real mans razor to your face haha! But in all seriousness I really need to keep a professional appearance for work being in the military, and they make a big deal about shaving. I know it will take awhile to get it down to a baby soft finish, but I love a challenge.

Welcome to SRP! Thank you for serving.

I like the shaptons for honing so much that years ago i got rid of my nortons. which ones did you get?

getting a smooth comfortable shave is a journey but it is well worth the work. feel free to ask all the questions that arise. also read through the beginner's section of the wiki and watch Lynn Abrams shave video on you tube.

enjoy,
jim

I'm sure I'll have more then a few. I've sharpened knives, but after all I've read its not really then same. I ended up getting the Shapton "Glass" ceramic water stones 1000, 4000 grit. I couldn't resist getting them since they were $40 for the pair from Woodcraft. A guy i work with knows the store owner, and since we spend a lot of money threw military purchases they give him big discounts.

the 1k and 4k are great for restoration and bevel setting but while you can shave with a 4k edge it will not be very comfortable. would add 2 more stones to that list an 8k which can give you a very shavable edge and a finisher like a 16k shapton or something in the 12k range. i have all the shaptons from 220 to 30k (which i rarely use)

enjoy,
jim

Those are on my list next, the wife says I have enough toys on order before vacation haha! I'm going to have my razor honed by a pro so I know where I need to get it to before I start playing around with the process.