Hello Straight Razor Place!
I am just starting on my straight razor journey with a Parker SR1 and the VH kit from a local drugstore. I just did my first shave yesterday and loved almost everything about it. It was a much more satisfying experience that with my Gillette. I managed to shave nick-free my first time (only with the grain for the most part) which I attribute entirely to all the excellent information and links found on this forum so thank you for that.

About me: 31 years old about halfway through a PhD program at the University of Alabama (not an obsessive fan, but I do enjoy college football in general). I have been happily married for just shy of ten years and am currently fighting an up-hill battle on getting the wife on board with this little adventure. To use her words, she just does not "get it" but I am sure I will when her over with a few ultra-close shaves once I get up across and against the grain shaving.