Complete 100% Newbie - Ready to learn and a bit overwhelmed

Greetings!

Just a quick intro for everyone out there - My name is Darren, I'm in my early 30s, and live in Colorado, USA. I've had my Mach 3 razor for a looong time, and quite frankly, I'm sick of using it. I still get ingrown hairs on my neck (which I thought would phase out as I got older), and I hate buying razors. I work in the environmental field, and I'm continually trying to limit my consumption of non-durable goods. I love the nostalgia, the craftsmanship, the simplicity, and of course the (ever-improving) longevity of a straight razor. I'm trying to be the sponge and learn as much as I can, but with so many articles and opinions out there, I'm a bit overwhelmed. Thank you for having me, and I'll have questions to come. Like where to start! I know that I'll make an investment of around a few hundred $$$, but it's worth it to have a durable blade for many years to come.

Thanks again and all the best,

Darren

Hi Darren, welcome to SRP from downunder!

Best advice you can get is to start off with a shave ready razor from a reputable dealer or from the classifieds on this site. I am sure others will agree. :)

Sunbird

Hi Darren, welcome to the madness! Yes, there is a lot of information "out there" pertaining straight shaving. Right here is the best place to learn. Start with the general basic guidelines that you will read about here...read the beginners link. As you journey, you will tweak the methodology to your own personal preferences. When you strop, follow the basic guidelines. Eventually, you may put your own twist on the process. The same with honing, should you go that route. Once you become semi proficient at putting the blade to your face and shaving, you'll find that a well honed and stropped blade solves 90% of your problems. Stropping is VERY important, and something you will have to do on your own. Check out Gemstar Customs bench strop. A bench strop will take a lot of the guess work out for a beginner...how taut to hold it, at what angle, etc. Start out with a well honed blade from a reputable dealer, Straight Razor Designs, Gemstar Customs etc. You will have poor shaves in the beginning, but once you get straight shaving dialed in, there is nothing else like it. Sorry for the long post, but best of luck and enjoy the journey.

Welcome to the 'Place'
Do your research , ask questions & even make mistakes . It's all fun.

Welcome, as has been said start with a shave ready razor from someone reputable, don't be scared to ask them questions. You don't necessarily have to buy anythin new and or expensive to get good shaves, quite often there will be an inexpensive razor for sale in the classifieds, usually for aesthetic reasons, other than that I probably wouldn't have invested in any hones straight away, but I did, and probably won't use them for a while so could have saved there. You will need zme kind of strop though but new starter ones seem to be fairly cheap, just look for some advice if unsure. And obviously a brushIf you get conflicting advice defer to mentors/ more senior members.Enjoy the journey, and don't be put off by minor setbacks. :-)

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Originally Posted by MrDarrenMo

Greetings!

Just a quick intro for everyone out there - My name is Darren, I'm in my early 30s, and live in Colorado, USA. I've had my Mach 3 razor for a looong time, and quite frankly, I'm sick of using it. I still get ingrown hairs on my neck (which I thought would phase out as I got older), and I hate buying razors. I work in the environmental field, and I'm continually trying to limit my consumption of non-durable goods. I love the nostalgia, the craftsmanship, the simplicity, and of course the (ever-improving) longevity of a straight razor. I'm trying to be the sponge and learn as much as I can, but with so many articles and opinions out there, I'm a bit overwhelmed. Thank you for having me, and I'll have questions to come. Like where to start! I know that I'll make an investment of around a few hundred $$$, but it's worth it to have a durable blade for many years to come.

Thanks again and all the best,

Darren

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Shaving made easy; what the man who shaves ought to know .. : 20th century correspondence school, New York. [from old catalog] : Free Download & Streaming : Internet Archive

Here's an oldie but goodie from 1905, a free online book (downloadable as well) that will be a short, fun read and also provide valuable information.

Hello Darren,, Let me welcome you to SRP and give you the best link in the whole wide world when it comes to living in Colorado and being a Newb to this hobby

http://straightrazorpalace.com/get-t...h-madness.html

I promise you will learn more at that meet then in months of reading here on the forum...

Look forward to seeing you there

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Originally Posted by gssixgun

Hello Darren,, Let me welcome you to SRP and give you the best link in the whole wide world when it comes to living in Colorado and being a Newb to this hobby

http://straightrazorpalace.com/get-t...h-madness.html

I promise you will learn more at that meet then in months of reading here on the forum...

Look forward to seeing you there

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This makes me want to fly back to Colorado with my mother-in-law when she leaves on Tuesday.

gssixgun is exactly right when he says you will walk out of there with a plethora of knowledge and experience. If you're even remotely close by, I suggest you go. Just from the members I've seen post that they are going, I really wish I could go myself as they are some of the most knowledgeable and experienced folks here. Trust me, you won't be sorry.

As others have already said, welcome to SRP and enjoy the ride!!

Welcome to SRP

Russell

Darren, Welcome to SRP

He Darren. There's prob. enough stuff here to make your head spin. FWIW, you can be good to yourself by spending some time on the 3 basic skills of the actual shave itself, making lather/beard prep, and stropping. The shave itself is very well articulated by the 'your first str8 shave' link on the home page. Lather making & beard prep - Mantic's vids are excellent: How To Build And Apply Traditional Shaving Lather - YouTube Stropping: http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...ch-2011-a.html The 4th item is the meet-up Glen mentioned. It would be very hard to learn more or faster than a couple days w/ these guys. It will really help speed up your learning curve and get you to the joy. You'll soon be lighting up like a neon sign by getting the most amazing shaves of your life.

Thanks for the long post! I've really appreciated everyone's comments! Still getting familiar with the forum - don't know if I can reply to everyone, but all very much appreciated. It's really great to know there are so many people willing to help out. I'll definitely keep up the research. I just don't want to be hosed by "the art of shaving company" or any chains out there trying to make a buck. This kind of community is awesome, and I'd definitely like to purchase a shave ready razor, then work my way up to actually honing a blade. I remember being very young, seeing my grandfather sharpen blades on his stones. He kept the same knives his entire life. That's what I'm talking about.

Thank you so much. Such great information. I'm really excited. I still have a few turns around the sun, so I'm definitely ready for a life long lesson on keeping these blades beauties.

My advice is dont buy any cheap Chinese straight razors like "gold dollar" or some other brand. Find a DOVO razor and you'll always have a good blade. And buy a good strop, three inches at least and watch a lot of YouTube videos. Remember your training and you will make it.

Ps.. A little blood in the beginning is ok, we all bled for our cause, a lot of blood......well... Never mind, you get the picture:-)