First straight

Hi all

Firstly, it's a great site you have here and I've been reading the posts for a while in preparation for my first straight razor.

I've been using a shavette for about 6 months now and I've finally taken the plunge and bought a straight. My new razor is a Dovo natural full hollow. After looking around, I figured this would be a good entry level razor with a degree of certainty regarding the craftsmanship. The Razor has come straight from the factory so I know I need to get it shave ready. A lot of guys on here seem to recommend sending it away to be honed but I am very keen on the idea of maintaining this razor myself (ambition Is critical!).

After watching some of lynn's videos on youtube, I'm fairly comfortable with the idea of using a norton 4k/8k. Will this with stropping be sufficient or will I need to purchase a finishing stone as well? If not, how about a pasted strop?

I'm in my twenties and very much like the idea that I might get 40+ years out of this razor so I want to get it right to start!

I'll post updates about my progress with this razor

Cheers and wish me luck!

Ash

If you insist on going it alone ;)
Many people fid the 8k finish more than satisfactory,
taking it beyond that is a personal thing.
A well worked 8k finish is a good solid smooth shave.
I prefer the finish off of my 12k Naniwa on most razors
but I do find I like to hit my old wedges especially my Sheffield's on CrOx.
A pasted strop is also handy for maintenance (I personally always drop to my stone but to each his own on that)

So I guess what I am saying in short is if you can nail the 8k edge it will more than suffice.
How far you want to try and take it beyond that is up to you.

The 4k may not be enough if the razors factory edge is not good as mine was. Buying a shave ready from SRP is a better idea as you know it will be shave ready. Then maintaining it from there is much easier as you know you have a set bevel. The 4/8 is a workhorse and certainly capable of doing what you need it to do.

I'm leaning towards a 4k/8k and a pasted strop, especially if I don't buy a 12k or higher to drop to. I guess the biggest issue for me and one that experienced guys as yourself must tire of hearing is knowing what is 'shave ready'.

I know they're chalk and cheese but is it a fair estimation to say that when my straight shaves as close as my shavette, I'm getting in the right ballpark?

That's a bit of a stretch at the beginning. The blade should treetop hairs over your forearm. Although not everyones hair works for this. A hand honed can be as sharp as a shavette but not off of an 8k. You would need more refinement IMO.

I think it's a good idea do buy your first straight razor shave ready. Then you know how shave ready feels so you know what you are looking for when you start honing yourself. Practicing honing on a cheap razor is also a good idea so you don't do any unnecessary damage to your brand new razor. You can do it your way though if you like. And that might work out very good for you. This is just my opinion :)

Thanks Bill. Sounds reasonable. Maybe my expectations are a little high. It's very easy to watch someone like Lynn on youtube and think "that looks simple" when of course it isn't and it's experience making it look easy.

I am in no rush at all so I'm going to take my time over this and I guess the worst that can happen is I have to send it away anyhow!

Hi ludvig

Thanks for your input. Unfortunately, I may have been a little impulsive and have already bought a straight from factory Dovo so now I'm going to try and bluff it out and see how it goes!

Ash,
technique will be a bit more critical in getting as close a shave.
When I transitioned from a shavette to real steel there was and adaption period although much shorter than the initial learning period.
The re-learning curve had to do with closeness and comfort.
So yes your shaves can be as close but it may take a little time.

As bill mentioned "tree topping" you will need to learn how to test, which tests work and work consistently for you.
For instance, my hair is very fine and will not tree top until stropped.
Read up as much as you can, each persons technique is a bit different and you will need to find what works and is comfortable for you.

If you wish to do it yourself try find a local mentor who can watch over you and make sure your getting it right and then can tell you it is shave ready. Will make the whole process much easier on you. Some find honing easier than others and some blades are easier than others. Going it alone you could make it worse or cause considerable wear when its not necessary. Maybe buy a cheap blade for a bit of practice first. It would be s shame to damage your first razor. Good luck which ever way you go. Ed

Thanks pfries and Ed. Great idea, don't know why I didn't consider practising on a cheap blade. To Ebay!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AshP

Thanks Bill. Sounds reasonable. Maybe my expectations are a little high. It's very easy to watch someone like Lynn on youtube and think "that looks simple" when of course it isn't and it's experience making it look easy.

I am in no rush at all so I'm going to take my time over this and I guess the worst that can happen is I have to send it away anyhow!

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Try and find a mentor near you to get you through the first honing if you insist on doing it yourself. Learning to hone can take time and trying to hone often makes honing difficult for the person you send it to.

That said sometimes the factory edges are rather close so it is simple start with the highest grit you have.... a good strop then see how it shave if it needs work try an 8k. you can do all your honing on a 8k it will just take longer but it is less damaging. also since it is a new razor tape the spine if you need to hone. Always remove the tape after a honing session, even if you are not done as moisture can get trapped and you have stains and rust.

for years I used nothing but a coticule or a barbers hone, maintained my edges easily, now I normally use an 8k shapton or a thurningen stone.

enjoy,
jim