Thread: Help

I currently use a Gillette Fatboy and feather blades with a very good brush and soap.

I already have a Puma Inox No 63 5/8 that I purchased about 12 or 13 years ago and is most definitely not shave ready and I have never used it.

My question is, I would very much like to get into straight razor shaving, should I purchase another shave ready razor or get this one honed professionally ?

I am looking at purchasing some of the Naniwa stones on bases, they look real nice, ideally which ones do i need to own and perfectly maintain a high level straight ?

Money is not really an object, I am looking for a great shave and to maintain the razor myself.

Both,...get that one shave ready and purchase another. Its good to have two so you always have one incase the other needs honed or some "accident' happens with the faucet.

OK. Is the Puma a good razor ?
I was looking at the Dovo ones for my first, what about the Dovo ‘Inox’ razor, Dovo ‘Astrale’ razor, Dovo ‘Black Star’ Razor, Dovo ‘Natural’ razor, Dovo ‘Master’s’ razor ?

Advice would be appreciated.

I would also need a nice strop, preferably a 3" one so i don't need to x cross my razor

also how many and which grades of the stones would I need ? In an ideal world ?

My first new razor was a Dovo Best quality. Very nice shaves thanks to Lynn honing it. I cannot comment on the Puma as I have not used one. Don't spend a lot on a strop until your skill level is good. Cuts are inevitable while stropping. Lots of threads on stones for honing but initially a barber hone will maintain your edge for a long time.

If the blade is in real good shape I would get it honed. I had a puma years ago and it was one of my favorite razors. Took the edge beautifully and shaved great.

Honing is not that hard if you get a good set of stones. You will also need a good strop.

Good luck and welcome to Straight Razor shaving.

Sure I am going to get is honed, its in perfect nick.

Sure but which hones ? 1K, 5K 12k?

I am looking at Naniwa stones on bases

So definitely send it out to get honed. Also pick up a second one. I purchased a Dovo Master and love it. I'd suggest you slow down with the idea of having to buy stones right away. If you have 2 shave ready razors and learn how to strop them you won't be needing stones for at least 3 or 4 months. You can then get into pasted strops to extend the life of the edges before having to consider honing.

If you just can't hold yourself back and need to spend the money now then pick up the following. They would get you where you ultimately want to go.

1.) Lapping plate in the 300 to 400 grit range (used to flatten the other stones before using them).
2.) 1K waterstone (Norton or others) used to set a bevel.
3.) 4K & 8K waterstones to continue honing the edge after bevel is set. A lot of people stop here but if you want that high polished edge.
4.) Add a 12K stone to the group.

Pugwash
I have a Suehiro 6K wetstone that I use for the initial image and a 3K/10K ruby that I store on a oil soaked pad and finish the hone on the 10K. Then strop and ready to go.
Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner but I shut down the computer before your e-mail.

Good luck

OK so I am sending my Puma off for honing and I am going to buy another razor.

Can't quite make my mind up about these:

Basic 11/16

basic black 5/8

558130

1176815

I would appreciate some help on deciding if possible please, I am probably going to go Thiers Issard, but I am unsure.