Thread: New Guy Checking In From Okinawa, Japan.

Hello there Ladies and Gentlemen,

Just dropping in to introduce myself. Just starting to do all my research in straight razors. So far, this seems like the place to be.

Anyways, I'm in the USMC, currently stationed in Okinawa. Originally from California. Here looking to do some learning, get some good advice, then to start buying the things I need. I am starting out reading all the beginners guides, watching videos on youtube and reading through these forums here. I have not even begun to start looking at the vendors yet. Any advice, tips, pointers, or suggestions on equipment for beginners is more than welcome and very much appreciated. I will be asking plenty of questions if I cannot find the answers myself.

I am into all the finer things in life (Fine cooking, whiskey, cigars, etc etc..) which is what I believe led me into straight razors.

Hope to start getting to know you guys soon,

John

Welcome, use the library above, there is a wealth of information there. use the "Advance" search button, above right, then enter key word or words to produce threads on that topic.

Use our classified section above to buy your razor, a suggestion only, the members who sell there can be trusted, Moderators keep the site free of rip-offs, junk.

Enjoy the ride.

,,,,,,Oh, BTW, stay away from B.C. Street, son, ain't nothing good going on there.

Welcome to the forum John and thanks for serving. Hirlau gives you good advice as there is a wealth of information on the site.

Welcome to SRP. Good for you doing your research before jumping in, you'll be able to make informed choices and make the start of you straight shaving journey more enjoyable. Keep us posted on your progress.

Welcome to SRP John!

Thank you for serving. We have a boy over your way, at camp Hanson. Depending on what you are doing you might want to consider moving to a safety (DE) razor first; they are field capable. Straights while being great to shave with require more attention and care.

starting out with a brush soap and DE will get you ready for a straight as you will learn the concept of light pressure and good lather/ preshave beard prep without much risk of not being properly groomed. Learning to shave with a straight takes time and sometimes your face might need a day or two without being shaved to allow it to heal.
After getting the DE down well you can then look at adding a straight razor for shaving on your off weekend. As you know you will need not just a razor but also a leather strop to start with. if i were suggesting a razor type i would say get a Boker, Dovo or Thiers-Issard stainless steel blade considering you may not always have the luxury of leaving the razor out and open to ensure proper drying. be aware that some of your fellow marines will think the razor is cool and if in the open they may decide to try the edge on various surfaces at the very least this may dull the edge. not a problem with a DE but with a straight you will need to send it off to be honed, trust me you might know how to maintain an edge on a kabar but a razor is an entirely different world.
I'm not trying to actively keep you away from a straight i'm just suggesting that you plan for contingencies, mastering a DE is a great place to start and when you add in the straight you will have a system to fall back on. once you start using a decent shaving system you will if you are like most folks, hate the concept of going back to a disposable cartridge.

enjoy,
jim

thanks for this info. and the safety razor is a great idea actually! don't know why i didn't think of that. I'll do some research into that as well.

Camp Hanson is at the other side of the island from me. I work down on the flight line towards the south of the island. I don't have to worry about going to the field any time soon, im in the wing. A Fire Fighter to be exact. I also dont have to worry about other people messing with my stuff. I live in a 3 bdrm house with my wife and 2 dogs. One of the many perks of being married in the military.

I do like the idea of the DE for practicing first though. Disposable blades for those are cheap enough it seems. As for what im looking for now.. Im probably gonna look for a good used one from the classifieds here that is already honed, along with a strop, brush, mug and soap. After watching/reading numerous videos and articles, I am very confident that I could hone a razor myself. I am very handy, and like to do everything on my own. I have become extremely well versed in doing very fine, tedious and meticulous work on very small objects over the years. But, I dont want to invest in a set of stones just yet.

Well that sounds like a more survivable situation for a straight razor. the brush, mug and soap work well with either system, mugs need not be fancy or pretty ones... mine is a 16 ounce soup mug with about 4 inch inside diameter and a handle or you can steal any bowl you want off the wife, some folks like rice bowls because the textured bottom helps build the lather it is all personal choice.
As far as stones go if you have a well sharpened razor to start with you will mainly need a finisher to touch it up from time to time as opposed to a full set for honing.
for a DE consider an adjustable and a blade sampler pack, SWMBO might even find it to her liking so you might want extra blades and if she does then she will be ok with you progressing on to the straight. for some reason they us like having a reason for spending our cash... but if it is something she wants no reasoning is required

enjoy,
jim