Thread: Took 1st step

Hello SRP members,

I want to 1st thank you all for the wealth of information and help you provide. Without you this art, tradition and history would surely fade away. I hope, without to much bloodshed on my part, that this newbie can apprentice to join you.

Since my first BBS barber shave and the feel of a brush full of lather on my face many years ago, I have always wanted to learn to shave with a SR. Now with the aid of wonderful sites like this one and online videos tutorials, I feel I can finally, though cautiously, proceed.

After reading SRP's Wikis and countless posts, I ordered my first purchase of the following today from SRD - one each:

Dovo Best Quality Black 5/8 - couldn't justify the cost of the Redwood Prima Klang for my 1st razor
SRD 3" Premium I Black Leather Strop w/ Webbed Fabric
H.L. Thater 4292/5 25mm Silver Tip Brush - Lots support for it here
Lynn's "The World of Straight Razor Shaving" DVD - a must have I am told
Pinaud Styptic Pencil - just in case
Mitchell's Wool Fat Soap
Castle Forge Cream Sampler set - I don't know which scents to try 1st
Truefitt & Hill Shaving Cream & Balm Sampler set
SRD Shaving Soap Sampler set of all 13

Did I do alright or over do it? Was the Thater brush to much, to soon? Always believed YGWUP4. I couldn't find glycerin. Any ideas where can I get it? I hope this gives me a decent intro into SR shaving, cream vs soap, and some fragrance selections.

The wife a little but I gave her the "yearly cost of Mach3 razor replacements" line and also told her I can whip-up a super-smooth rose scented uberlather for shaving her legs. The last one peaked her interest just enough to get her blessings.

As I am a woodcarver, I already have plenty of sharpening supplies, including:a full set of Japanese water stones from 250-8000 grit, a complete "scary-sharp" setup with a precision marble .001" flat plate, 2.5" x 12" strops, and several types of honing compounds. With this background I think I have a decent shot at getting blades to pass the hanging hair test.

Now I just hope I don't cut my face off
____________
Jim

Welcome to Straight Razor Place......It appears as though you did very well on your first purchase. I myself am new to the world of SR shaving with only a handful of shaves under my belt. I did break the bank and order the Prima Klang as my first order from SRD. I could not pass up the price on the complete wet shave set they were offering. I have since ordered the Dovo Micarta Inox Stainless Steel blade so that I can have the best of both worlds from high quality carbon to stainless.

I am sure there will be many others comment on your setup and help guide you along your journey. I have learned so much from this site and the videos...and of course Wiki.

IMHO I believe you did extermely well for you first set. Mind you, if you never added another piece of equipment to your set, what you have would last you a life time and provide great shaves. So don't think of it as "starter equipment", just think of it as "equipment".

You have obviously paid very close attention to the forums. Take you time. enjoy and post often.

David

Thanks Buckfever4life. Enjoy that Prima Kang, it's a beautiful blade.

I found if I went with the best quality razor & strop set I could drop the full razor package, with the included brush/mug/soap, to upgrade the brush to a Thater and still stay within budget. I also still got a good high carbon blade out of the deal. I tried to swing the Prima Kang and get the most bang for the buck but I just couldn't work it out. Oh well may next time. It will remain on my wish list for perhaps my second SR. All in all I feel pretty good with my purchase today.

As to stainless, I've heard and have found it hard to sharpen so I tend to steer clear from it. I'd be interested in learning if the stainless in some of brands of SRs are of a different, more workable composition.
__________
Jim

Thanks Alembic.... I like to look at it as an investment towards my son/grandson's inheritance. How's that for an excuse??

I have had my eye on the Prima Klang for sometime. At a buck80, a bit to steep for me at this time. I have 4 other above entry level Dovo's that are good for me, along with 2-3 inch SRP strops. While I've been str8 shaving almost 4 years, since I've joined here I've had vast improvements in soap/cream selections, stropping ability, and polishing techniques.
You did your homework and studied the Wiki....BRAVO.
What I already have will last me the rest of my life, but, I'm bordering with being ate up with str8 shaving. It's getting better everyday. I thoroughly enjoy it.
I'm looking to make the jump to stainless, but have always had issues sharpening stainless as I find it grainy as compared to carbon and have trouble getting past the burr or wire edge. Practice makes perfect.
You've come to the right place. If the answer isn't in the Wiki, the members of this forum will know it, and are happy to share.
That Prima Klang is out there waiting for me, along with many other new experiences.
Read, post, and enjoy. In the mean time think I'll find a part time job to support my "hobby" (or obsession, not sure which)!

Always happy to hear about newbies who do their homework and succeed in purchasing excellent equipment from the get go. Thanks for taking the time.

Do continue to read up on the technique and prepping: proper lather and technique are at least as important as properly honed blade. Stropping will continue to rise in importance too. Good luck on your first shaves.

Do resist the temptation to "touch up the razor, just a little bit" on your gear at least during the first month. Any pulling is most likely due to lather, technique, prep etc.

You've got a serious great kit there. Enjoy it in good health,
and let us know how the shave goes!

- Scott

Welcome to SRP

Looks like a good haul you got going there

Man, you're not messing around. That is some serious gear. +1 on not trying to 'touch up' your razor. Yes, it IS your technique. As a newbie, i know.