Hi All,

I’m James and based in the UK.

So I’m relatively new to the art of shaving with a straight, having started a few months ago – but since starting I have stuck with it and not used any other form of shaving. In fact, I would say I haven’t mastered the art of it at all yet – but there is defiantly less blood involved now than when I started and the scars from those early days are virtually unnoticeable now.

For what ever reason over Christmas I decided I was going to start with a ‘cut throat’ – probably because it was something new to try. Did a bit of research online and then found that there are a plethora of razors available online – most of which are cheap crap, but not knowing what I should start with, it was hard to filter out the good for the bad. I also found out that it is really hard to find a shop in the UK that sells straights as well as knowing what they are talking about.

By chance one day while buying some cigars in Reading for my father-in-law, I noticed that the place sold razors and all of the paraphernalia that goes with it – so I took the plunge. The choice was a few razors of Chinese origin around the £40 mark, a few of (I think) German origin around the £200 mark and one Dovo at £89. So as I’d heard of this brand and knew it not to be bad, I went for it along with a Strop, paste, Brush and pencil thing to stop the bleeds (Only good for the odd nic I found out, not a replacement for good old fashioned stiches and gauze)

The first shave was not so bad, as I had read, the razor was unlikely to be shave ready, so before taking blade to face I partook in my first stropping session – thus ensuring the blade was not going to be shave ready. But it wasn’t so bad, I was tentative and although the chin was a bugger to shave, relatively speaking there was not too much blood.

Having grown in confidence, my second shave was a lesson in respecting the blade!! I now have a 1.5 inch, albeit fine, scar on my face which didn’t stop bleeding for close to an hour. I guess the red wine would have thinned the blood and impeded the healing process. I know have a rule: If I wouldn’t drive the car and don’t drive the razor.

So now that I have got the hang of it, I am now looking for my next razor(s) I also need to learn to hone, so probably need a cheapy to practice on as well. I love the idea of getting my hands on a razor that has age, history and a story to tell – but I’m guessing they come at a price.

If you’re still reading, then apologies for the lengthy intro… I look forward to learning more.

James