Thread: Joining the gang... Greetings from London!

Evening all.

First post so be gentle with me.

I've been wanting a straight razor for some years now but, due to one reason or another, have never got round to getting one. On numerous occassions I had a Dovo Mammut sat in an online shopping basket, but never went any further.

The time for contemplating however is now done. Action is required. So to that end I have begun to do some more research - if I'm going to invest time and energy in a venture I like to do it properly!

That research led me here. And opened my eyes. What a wondeful thing I have discovered. I have no idea what I'm doing, but still!

However... My easy task of buy a razor and some accessories has been made so much more difficult by the sheer variety of products and services on offer. And wonderful information on this site. I had, as stated, always wanted the Dovo Mammut. Something about the 40000 yr old mammoth tusk just got me. Add in a Dovo strop, brush and away I go.

Except then I saw the range of TI razors... And things became less clear. What things of beauty! And such manly names! And how would a Dovo strop do after I saw the Neil Miller article, and his range of strops?

And then we have the vintage options. And what is a scuttle? Obviously I'll be needing something like that too...

So you can see, what started as a fairly straight forward journey to shaving perfection has become a lovely, complicated, evolving project. I like that. If things were easy they would be no fun.

Tonight (at work, unfortunately) I'm still perusing the various fora, and retailers, trying to decide what I want. Or rather what I need.

So far my experience has been utterly, overwhelmingly, positive - I contacted Jorrun at Fitjar a few days ago regarding buying some samples. Despite it being ten at night I had a response within minutes. I contacted Neil Miller to ask for some details on his strops and, again, had a response within minutes. And yesterday, after a couple of emails I made the first of my purchases - a Moss Scuttle & Lather Bowl from Sara Bonnyman. In Slate, to match the bathroom I've started redecorating to accomodate new new found obsession!

I've still to decide on a razor, or brush. I have ordered some cream samples from Trumpers though.

I've not shaved properly since 1st Movember when I grew a lovley Mo'. I then trimmed up with the clippers on 1st December and have grown a festive winter beard since. It's rather fetching. However it needs a trim. I'm loath do do it though as I want the thing taken off completely, with a straight razor, or not at all. Preferably by my own fair hand. Seeing as that might not be too prudent given my skills and the timescales involved I'm thinking of popping to a barbers to have it shorn. Although that will eat into my shave den fund. Yet more dilemma.

Back to the importatnt stuff... Being a massive tart I'm leaning towards buying a TI Oakwing G. Or Possibly a Dreadnought with Blue Box Elder scales. Or possibly a Le Grelot with Ram's Horn scales. Or possibly that Mammut... You get the idea. And a TI Large Silvertip Brush in Blond Horn...

Given what I've read it would be a mistake to buy something so nice as my first razor, but would I be able to learn with any of those? Would I really be being stupid to go for one of the above? That might be a rhetorical question. Or a potato.



Anyway, I feel I may be starting, just, to ramble. It's late and I'm bored. I just wanted to say hi.

I think I like it here

Welcome to SRP. Interesting first post and yes this forum is a wealth of information to assist you on your journey into the world of straight razors. I can't really tell you which is the right direction to go with buying your first razor other than buying one that has been hand honed and is truely shave ready. If you buy a new razor it still, most likely, it will need to be honed by hand to ensure it's shave ready. Most new razors have a factory edge and are not shave ready. As an alternative, you may want to check the classifieds here to see if there is something you like and is easier on the wallet vs. a brand new razor. Dip your toes in the water before you dive in. Keep us posted on on your decision and your progress.

Welcome to the forum, what part of London are you from? I hail from the East End.

Personally I would not go down the expensive razor route just yet, something vintage and shave ready from say Neil Miller, the Invisible Edge, or the for sale section on here, would be my choice when starting out, most likely any new factory razor will have the bevel set but will need some work on the edge to get it shave ready, you are going to have enough on your plate learning to use a straight without contending with a not so sharp razor.

You are in the right place to begin the learning curve, this site is a mine of information, there are plenty of members that will be only too happy to advise you on everything from basic shaving, stropping, honing, restoring..........well you get the message!

Enjoy!


ATB

John

Welcome aboard! Hope you enjoy your stay.

JohnnyBBM,

Welcome and hello from Hastings

+1 on Mr Neil Miller; his workmanship and products are world class, plus he is a most fine chappie to deal with. I have many of his strops and they are all superb :

www.strop-shop.co.uk - hand made straight razor strops, razor pouches, shaving accessories, vintage razors, razor honing and restoration

For shaving consumables, please have a peek at ConnaughtShaving (Mr Mayhew) :

Welcome To Connaught Shaving

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

Thanks for the welcome chaps. I'm in Uxbridge for those that are local...

I plumped for popping into the barbers on Monday and had a wet shave & head shave... most enjoyable. And my girlfriend was extremely grateful.

I've also purchased a razor. I had been looking at Neil Miller's site as well the others mentioned. After a few emails to Neil I went for this:

Vintage Ivory John Hall Straight Razor, Manchester

I absolutely love it, just from the pictures.

I also got one of his cheaper strops, at his suggestion, so have been fairly sensible I feel. Neil really is a pleasure to deal with and I'm very happy to have purchased from him.

I collected both from the Post Office today. However I'm yet to even look at them as I'm giving them to my girlfriend to wrap up for my birthday next month. They're in the boot of the car and I'm sat here at work just itching to go and get them. But I shall resist.

I've decided on a brush as well. Simpson Chubby 2 Super Two-Band. I emailed Simspon to ask some questions and Mark said they can make me up a two-band, which aren't on their site. I can't say no to an offer like that. So I'll be putting the order through at the end of the week. Which excites me.

I also ordered some Fitjar products last night - Fjellheim Shaving Cream & After Shave Cream, some Nyasha Black soap and some of the shaving cream for women, for my good lady. I ordered direct from Jorunn as the after shave cream I couldn't find in the UK.

My Trumpers sample pack arrived a while ago. And what a lovely things that is. Good value I feel too. I tried some of the lime skin food after my barber shave, and was impressed. I'm not too keen on the more flowery scents - the lavender & rose certainly won't see any use by me. But I know someone who I'm sure will appreciate them.

I love the Spanish Leather, Fern, GFT and the more masculine scents. Just wonderful.

Today I decided to shave (using my ProGlide Power... it won't be seeing much more use) and give the GFT cream a whirl, sans brush. I showered and just used a small amount in the palm of my hands which lathered up really rather well on my face. I was quite surprised just how easily I got a lather I must admit.

I used the lime skin food and GFT cologne afterwards and can honestly say I don't remember my face feeling so good after a shave before! The look, feel and smell was fantastic. Very impressed.

I came into work feeling really good about myself. And still trying to sniff my own face!

So. I'm getting there. By the time everything I've ordered gets here it will be closer to my birthday so I'm happy to wait until then to start the really fun stuff.

Cheers,

Johnny.