Hello all!

I have been into straight shaving excactly one year now, and I guess I can't call myself a newbee anymore. I thought I would post some lines on how my journey so far has been:

The start: Moved Mach 3 to DE (a Merkur Progress) in a search for alternatives to boring shaves. Then started to read Badger & Blade and this forum, and got an interest in straight shaving. Ordered a straight and a poor man's strop at whippeddog.com.

Shaving technique: Too high expectations led to a lot of frustration the first week. Considered giving up the whole thing, but hung in there and results became better after 2-3 weeks. Fairly soon settled into a routine WTG, XTG and ATG on the cheeks. Can go ATG overall, but seldom bother. Shaving has become a joy. I guess doing a 3-pass shave with a Mach 3 will give an equal (or closer) shave, but who wants to do that?

Lathering: Used a lot of energy at first to lather in a bowl, perfect water ratio, etc. Now I don't bother any more, just whirl the brush in soap or mash some cream in my face with my fingers and than face lather. Good enough.

Stropping: I have really appriciated the value of proper stropping. After my stropping technique has improved and I invested in a quality strop, my razors are kept sharp as my wife's tongue.

RAD: After my initial purchase from Larry, I soon bought a beautiful wedge at the Classified. After that, the collection was quickly expanded with ebay straights (surprise). A lot of them was crap with rust near the edge etc, but some where ok that I have sanded and honed. Now I feel I am off the RAD hook, but occationally pick up a straight from ebay.

Honing: Fairly soon bought a set of Norton 220/1K, 4K/8K, and Naniwa 12K. After some trial and error, I am able to set a bevel and polish the edge to shave ready in most cases. It's really not that hard, but of course I use much longer time than the honing pros. I now have a rotation of 12 shave ready razors that I mostly have honed myself - that is a very pleasant feeling. And by that I have found my level - I think...

Soaps and creams: Yes. Too bad they last so long, as I really feel I don't need any more as I have enough for 10 years already. Buy more shelves maybe...

Use of this forum: Althoug I am not a frequent contributor on the forum, I swipe into the forum at a daily basis and enjoy reading the threads and occationaly post a comment. I like the style in a gentlemen's forum like this.

Conclusion: Like many others have stated before me, straight shaving has turned a boring have-to activity into a enjoyable hobby. I find a lot of aspects with this obsession appealing to me: The history associated with the razors, the feeling of occationally doing a good deal on the e-bay, the satisfaction with making a blade shave ready and the relaxing and classy shaving ritual itself. SWMBO approves my hobby, and benefits from a BBS each night (I am mostly an evening shaver). I am very happy that I found this site and discovered straight shaving. Thanks to all for valuable tips and inspiration along the way!