Hi SRP members,
Samir here from Ottawa, Canada. I have just began my journey into the straight razor shaving world.
I joined here after seeing that my friend (forum member Badgister) who I share some musical interests with is also a member here.
I am happy to say things are going rather well for me so far. I am at my 3rd full shave this morning and I achieved what I would say is a confortable no iritation shave that is comparable to what I can get with my mach 3 which I have been using for 10 years. It didnt start well though, I usually sport a short trimed beard and I thought it would have been easier to outline my upper cheeks and neck with a straight razor. Wrong! This is what I tried to do the first time using the razor and even though I didnt cut myself, I found it akward to do and didnt do as good a job as with my mach 3.
I have since read a lot on here and I know my ways were wrong.
I was somewhat discouraged but I decided to do some full shaves and those went much better. The first one took me almost an hour and the one this morning probably 15 minutes with better results and less iritation. The most important thing I learnt from reading here is letting the tool do the work using no pressure and to reaply lather often when making new passes. Maybe I will try to do some beard outlining again now that I have a better feel for the razor and the hand positions that work for me. Any one have a pictorial of various hand position and grips? I use one hand by the way, not nearly confident enought to trust my left hand for this.
My experience is probably different then most people. I bought a Dovo best quality on ebay and honed it myself. I have many years experience as a part time luthier (wooden instrument maker), so the tools I use have to be extreemely sharp to tackle some of the harshest woods like dense rosewoods and ebony. I already had Norton stones and a leather padle with green chromium oxide compound which I have been using for years on my planes and chisels.
I am now starting to think about which product I will use next which is really the fun and exiting part of the shaving "experience". I found a store in the Market (Bottega Nicastro) that sells proraso products but like a I dumbo I bought the aerosol can of the Red kind. I love the sandalwood smell but I have been reading here and I now know it wasnt as good a choice so and I will pick up some of the cream or soap next. Any other stores in ottawa which carry good shaving products? I am liking this sandalwood scent! way different then the gillette shave gel I have been using my whole life.
I see there are quite a few members here in Ottawa, I would be interested in a meet up if someone is planning one. Also, anyone that has a decently priced vintage blade to sell? I would be interested in making my own scales on one.
Thanks for reading and welcoming me to the hood :)
Cheers,
Samir.
