Thread: Another Newb

Hi, everyone.

I just registered and wanted to introduce myself. I've been lurking here for a couple weeks, and finally decided to try straight razor shaving. I started DE shaving a few monthes ago after a lifetime of shaving with canned goo and cartridges. I joined another group, and learned the art of DE shaving, and am getting really good results.

Then the lure of those guys who find putting an unprotected razor blade on their neck...well, it intrigued me. I bought a straight from a member of my other group, and a strop...and this weekend I plan to try my hand at it.

I've read most of the tutorials, and watched counltess videos...so the time has come. I know enough to take it slow, and will try just the first pass under my sideburn until I get used to the sensation. I've been around blades most of my life, so I'm not nervous about it at all. Like anything else, I see it as a new experience, and something to master with discipline...and hoping it will be as fun as DE shaving is.

Welcome aboard, sounds like you are off to a great start.

Welcome to the club, my friend!

Welcome to SRP

Welcome to SRP! Lots of good info and help here. I don't know what the lure is either by I find myself wanting to shave every day where as before I was shaving maybe every 3 days with my cartridge. Good luck!

Welcome to the forum.

I am sure you will enjoy it, it sounds like you have done your homework.

Keep us posted on your progress and let us know if there is anything we can help with.

You lurked only a few weeks, I did it for a few months before i joined. :-))) just remember when you straight razor shave theirs no going back. (Well you could go back but then your stuck with all that stuff in your bathroom, strops, stands, soaps, mugs)

Thanks for the encouragement, everyone. I'm on my 10th shave, and so far it's been anything but fun. I've tried two razors, both of which were professionally honed, and I can't believe how uncomfortable the shaves have been...even at nearly a flat angle, I'm feeling a lot of tugging. My prep is good, and my shave cream is slick. So far, not very happy...but willing to stick it out for a while.

I found that when I started I was nervous and my strokes were slower and tugged more. Now that I'm more confident my strokes are also more confident (a little faster) and less tugging and pulling. Also, research the scythe and guillotine strokes. It will get better.

Most of the new guys who come to my home do not strop correctly. They are either heavey handed and do not keep the strop taut, which rounds the edge, or turn the blade incorrectly, which rounds the edge, or are to lite in their stroke which keeps the edge from staying in contact with the leather.

It is odd that 2 razors honed by different people ( ?) are shaving poorly. The most likely explanation is that it has been stropped incorrectly. You are stropping the razor for 30-50 roundtrip laps just before each and every shave, correct?

Just my 2¢