Thread: Hiya from NY

Hey all,

I've just recently gotten into wet shaving and have been reading this site, Blade and Badger, Sharpiologist and a few others to gather info so I can make informed purchases. I'm currently using the Dovo Shavette for sculpting my beard and am thinking of jumping into using a proper straight if all continues to go well (probably nothing bigger than 3/8" or 4/8" though).

I travel a lot for archaeological work and so I'll probably have quite a few questions relating to transport of straights in luggage, finding good wet-shaving products in other countries (chiefly Italy and Israel) and which wet shaving prep tools (brushes, strops, etc) are best for travel.

Also, I live within 15 minutes walking distance of the UES Pasteur Pharmacy and so if anyone wants me to check if they carry a certain product, I can do so. I can also explore the other various shops around the city as I do love walking.

I hope to learn a lot about this wonderful art during the age of her renaissance.

Aloha TrowelMan and welcome to SRP! There is a thriving SRP member base in the Greater NYC area, I am sure they all will be along soon to welcome you. Most gents start with a 5/8 or 6/8 blade they are more common than the narrower widths you mentioned.

Hey, thanks. So I've read, but I saw that the 3/8 and 4/8 are more for styling a beard and really, I just shave my cheeks as well as my neck, you see. I get this impression (which may be entirely wrong) that the weight of a 5/8 might cause me to shave off more than I want to. I know what you mean about them being uncommon though, but it's fun to hunt for them. I've decided to be dangerous and get some vintage 3/8's and 4/8's off RE and then try restoring them myself.

Welcome aboard! I can't think of a better place for you learn all about wet shaving. Be sure do a lot of reading in the Wiki as there is some great info there. and, as always, if you have any specific questions, just ask. the folks here are friendly and willing to share their knowledge. Mostly, though, take your time, enjoy the ride and have fun!

Welcome.
Keep an eye on the meet-ups for the area. We just had another nice Sunday morning in Fort Lee recently. They can be found under the Calendar menu up top.

I've gotten a good straight razor shave from NY Shaving Company on Elizabeth St. They also sell some gear but the new Dovo's still need to go out to get a honing as they come with a factory edge. This will be true with the Art of Shaving or any other shop selling new razors.

As far as the width of the razor is concerned, you'll have a hard time finding something that narrow in a straight that is new. Well used ones off Ebay will not come shave ready but you may find one from a vendor here that is. What you'll find is that it's not the width or lenght or even grind of the razor that is most important. It will be your technique. Get a shave from a good barber and use that as a baseline for what a good shave feels like and go from there.

Most of all, have fun.

I've got a couple of nice 4/8 vintage blades that are really good shavers and I quite enjoy using them. I also have a 3/8 Spike that is fantastic!

My only real issue with them has been that they're a little bit tougher to strop than my wider blades. But with a bit more care, there's no problem.

Welcome to SRP, Its cool that you have the abillity to walk to a great store with a lot of shaving gear. The wiki clearly states that at first you must learn how to shave, make good lather, and strop properly, furthermore maintain a shaving edge, jumping in full force in restoration might make this great hobby go sour really fast.

Originally Posted by jfleming9232

Welcome aboard! I can't think of a better place for you learn all about wet shaving. Be sure do a lot of reading in the Wiki as there is some great info there. and, as always, if you have any specific questions, just ask. the folks here are friendly and willing to share their knowledge. Mostly, though, take your time, enjoy the ride and have fun!

Thanks, the wiki has indeed provided me some worthwhile information and I will continue to make use of it.

Originally Posted by DGilloon

This will be true with the Art of Shaving or any other shop selling new razors.

As far as the width of the razor is concerned, you'll have a hard time finding something that narrow in a straight that is new. Well used ones off Ebay will not come shave ready but you may find one from a vendor here that is. What you'll find is that it's not the width or lenght or even grind of the razor that is most important. It will be your technique. Get a shave from a good barber and use that as a baseline for what a good shave feels like and go from there.

Most of all, have fun.

I have a problem with Art of Shaving on account of their silly mark-ups. A Dovo 5/8 Best is 100 USD there, but 80 and pre-honed at SRD! Not to mention the fact that Pasteur sells their travel kits for 50 USD when the kits are 60 at AoS itself. When I got a Panasonic electric trimmer there it was 50 USD, but 30 at Best Buy!

Actually it was a proper straight razor shave from a barber in Jordan that got me interested in straights in the first place. I was so impressed by the feel and precision (especially when he had been on a cell phone half the time) that I felt I had to look into straights when I got back to the US. As for technique, I'll do what is probably the wisest approach - watch experienced people at work.

Originally Posted by maddafinga

My only real issue with them has been that they're a little bit tougher to strop than my wider blades. But with a bit more care, there's no problem.

What makes them tougher to strop? Also, what width of strop would you recommend for those bad boys?

Originally Posted by Martin103

Welcome to SRP, Its cool that you have the abillity to walk to a great store with a lot of shaving gear. The wiki clearly states that at first you must learn how to shave, make good lather, and strop properly, furthermore maintain a shaving edge, jumping in full force in restoration might make this great hobby go sour really fast.

They're closed today though and I wanted to pick up some Pinaud products. I have the first two down to a certain extent (although I heard that shavette shaving =! straight shaving technique-wise at all), but I've yet to strop nor truly learn how to maintain an edge properly. I'll have to do a good amount of research before I try stropping and honing hands-on. Aye, there is that danger, but at the same time sometimes you have to plunge in rather than just dip your toes. Hopefully the water doesn't turn out to be too cold though!

Originally Posted by TrowelMan

Aye, there is that danger, but at the same time sometimes you have to plunge in rather than just dip your toes. Hopefully the water doesn't turn out to be too cold though!

I cant comment on using a Shavette or the transition from one to the other, but learning to shave with a straight, and strop properly is key. You can maintain an edge for a long time with stropping, add some paste or spray on a stropping medium and you can maintain your razors for many months, just something to think about, Enjoy!

Welcome to srp from a fellow nyer! I just got some great tabac from Pasteurs yesterday - great store!