Thread: Old man trying to learn more about a rekindled addiction...affliction....interest

Hello everyone. I'm new to the forum and really interested in learning more straight razors.

My wife purchased a Dovo 6/8 Gioiello del Barbiere as a gift for me over 30 years ago. I attempted to get into the straight razor "lifestyle" but I was doing a lot of travel, not making much money and finding information to support this effort was next to impossible. Knowledge at your fingertips (internet) was unavailable to me back then. Anyway, I saved it away and recently came across it while looking for something else and it got me to thinking...

I've had an interest in them for a while but just hadn't taken the time to get into the meat and potatoes on the subject. I have recently retired and now have the time to do so. Looking forward to conversations with the knowledgeable folks on the forum.

Welcome to the herd. The most simple of solutions is to send that razor out to get honed and then pick up the rest of the required gear and while you are waiting on the mail, do a little reading.

Hi there OldMan....

Rez has the right of it. Chances are the razor is in need of a touch up before you try shaving with it again. I'd be happy to take care of that for you. Of course you can try to do that yourself, but the odds are against you with no practical experience under your belt yet.
Certainly, Reading is one of the best things you can do in your spare time. that, and watch some of the shaving vids you can find here. (somebody link the man some of the better ones, ok?!? )
Good Luck!
Steve Magpie

Welcome to SRP!

Read everything in the SRP library
http://straightrazorpalace.com/srpwi..._Place_Library
Its a wealth of information, stick to it and you wont go far wrong. As Shaun said send your razor out for honing and go from there.

Great replys gentlemen. I agree. Send it out for a proper honing. Lots of guys here can do that for you. Pick up some more gear like shave soap/cream, brush, alum bar, witch hazel, aftershave. These are what i would say are needed when starting out.
Watch lots of vids while you wait and get ready. Its not hard to learn but to do it right with no irritation constantly normally take 100+ shaves.

Good luck and welcome to the best place to ask questions and learn all the things about SR shaving.

there is a fine gentleman over in Portland Indiana that would be a good idea to look up,, his screenname here is Leaner, and his name is Tom,,, great guy and he would probably be willing to show you the ropes or even help out with the razor honing,, one on one is the best look him up or any other guy on this forum as a mentor Tc

Welcome, it's nice to have you here. It's great that you held onto that razor all this time, and great that you found it. Or maybe it found you again. Enjoy the journey and look forward to some fantastic shaves.

I feel like I haven't been straight shaving long enough to give out advice when you have all these other way more experienced guys here but I've been doing it just long enough to tell you to just get the basics , strop (cheap) , brush ,and some shave soap or cream . Because chances are you will cut the strop and you aren't sure yet what you like so go cheap and learn then let the ADS go crazy down the road
Oh yea and watch every video you can on how to shave and strop and maintain a razor and build lather that's on YouTube especially the Lynn Abrams ones they helped me a lot

Welcome to SRP!!

A lot of great folks and info here. I can't add much to what has been posted before me
Just enjoy and have fun

Well, hot-diggitty! Welcome aboard, from a fellow Hoosier! One-on-one mentoring significantly reduces the learning curve in this great sport. To that end, you might look up Learner, or Walterbowens. Both Hoosiers, but Walter might be closer in Petersburg. If you have any difficulty using the members directory to find them, I have them both "friended", so you can find them through my profile with minimal effort.

Don't forget, we LOVE pictures of all things shaving related here! Especially vintage razors!