Thread: Hello from Ohio

Hello Everyone.
I am new to this straight razor thing, so advice and recommendations is what i'm hear for. I have always hated shaving and would try to do it as infrequently as possible. Long weekends were always a relief because I could put off the shaving routine.

I used to shave with one of the multi-blade razors with battery powered vibrating built in. Probably one of the most expensive types you can easily buy from most drug stores. (Just so you have my reference for shaving equipment and feel). For a while I was shaving in the shower so my face was very moist. I'd use hair conditioner or shave gel for lubrication. It was easy and fast, but I'd still get irritation sometimes and some ingrown hairs especially on my neck.

Fairly recently I decided to shave my head, prompted by my mother who is battling lung cancer and has lost her hair. I thought I could show my support by shaving my head as long as she had no hair. I doing this it prompted me to do some research on shaving which got me looking into straight razors.

I like to do things well and with detail, so all the subtile details involved with straight razors interests me. Getting started is tough! I didn't want to jump in and spend a lot of money too early without knowing if I'd stick with it, so I decided to try a disposable straight razor (interchangeable blades, I got Shark brand) a cheap safety razor with Astra Platinum blades, and some cheaper soap (Col. Conk Bayrum shave soap)and inexpensive Tweezerman badger brush first. I like the safety razor, it seems to do a pretty good job and is fairly easy to use. I'm not so great with the straight razor, I have only attempted a handful of times and definatly need more practice. I'm not sure if the cheap razor I got will give me a very accurate impression of what a real staight would be like. Also I don't think the soap I have is working very well. It doesn't seem to get my face very smooth, and it almost seems like the razor sticks sometimes. I need to get some better shaving cream/soap for sure to see what difference that makes.

I recently bought a straight razor off e-bay which may not have been a great gamble but it was cheap and the description said it was German made though I can't find any information about it. It is a G.Z.B razor. here is the link to the auction post: GZB
If anyone has any info on this razor It would be great to know.

I'm looking forward to one day having the perfect shave.

Welcome to SRP! You certainly have come to the right place to learn, there are loads of information freely available around here. Check out the wiki, and have a look at our video section. There's lots to learn. Also, don't be afraid to partake in the forums.

There are several people here who head shave with a straight, so you'll be able to find first hand info on that as well.

Let us know how you progress, and have fun.