Hello from Long Island NY
Been lurking, probing, and digging around for a bit.. Time to get to know everyone.
I have been wet shaving for years. My DE & SE inventory has covered many bases and remains pretty deep. I much prefer a scraggly blonde un-sketched boar to a badger, though my brushes are about 50/50 now. Software? Ugh...I tried a sabatical but it lasted about a week.
That said, my shave nook is pretty much self supporting and I have enough stock that I can rely on trades and sales to fund new acquisitions.
I came to wet shaving in search of a way to make a daily chore into something I enjoy and now, years later, I look forward to my shaves and have, from time to time shaved twice a day just because. So, my DE/SE technique is really solid and my lathering skills don't need any help.
But with the skills come complacency and it's time to rejuvenate my shave ritual. Enter straights.
A few years ago I tried a Feather RG. Put two slices in my face and then sold it. It's cruising the Mediterranean on a US navy ship last time I connected with the owner. Just recently I re-engaged the Feather system with a low cost CJB non-folding razor and I got along much better. Being able to learn without the scales getting in the way was, for me, a huge benefit. That led me to the Feather Dx non-folding, a few shavettes and now.. Well, I am hooked.
Truth told, since my three-pass Feather shaves are now on semi-autopilot, I am branching out to traditional straights with a working level of comfort and a little bit of knowledge. My dad was a collector and appraiser of anything with an edge and left me his knife and razor collection so I've been able to fondle a whole lot of razors. None are shave ready, yet. I stumbled across the SRP home page with the RW SRP Logo LE and BAM! I was in love. I know what I like.. Satin finish on a 6/8 to 8/8, 1/2 hollow, shoulderless with a long tang, jimps top and bottom and spanish or barber's notch with a gentle smile (I've got some cheek hollows to navigate). Scales? G10 in a translucent Jade Ghost material. Other than that, I am not too specific.. ;-)
So, I'll need a strop and a new razor or eight, but fortunately, my brushes and software are under control.. relatively. I can't be of value to the community when it comes to straights (not yet), but for lathering, brushes or photography..I can help for sure!
Looking forward to some new friends as well as crossing over from other forums to talk straights with some old friends!!
Cheers and make it a great day!!
