Introduction, and a desperate plea for help.

Hey guys. I'm Chris.

Just got my first sr from vintage straight razors and shaved last night. It was a great experience, but I think I've discovered that "shave ready" may not mean "actually shave ready."

I made sure to properly strop the blade and used good technique while shaving, but I fear I may need proper honing.

I'm new to this site, but I'm aware that there are reputable members here that can help a brother out in this area. Could you guys point me in the direction of someone that can properly hone my razor and not rip me off?

Welcome Chris, take a look here:

Member Services - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

In the classifieds, under services are a number of reputable honers. If you can find a mentor in your area or within easy driving distance, contact him for a one on one session. They usually are more than willing to hone your first razor for successful shaving. If you modify you bio to show where you are you might be surprised by the number of members near you that respond to your questions/needs.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Razorfeld

In the classifieds, under services are a number of reputable honers. If you can find a mentor in your area or within easy driving distance, contact him for a one on one session. They usually are more than willing to hone your first razor for successful shaving. If you modify you bio to show where you are you might be surprised by the number of members near you that respond to your questions/needs.

---

Awesome. Thanks guys. I'll have to get to a computer to modify my bio. I'm in Pensacola, Fl. I'll check the classifieds!

Can you please link the razor you got ?????

There are a few "Vintage Straight Razors dot Com" and they are vastly different in what they deliver


Honestly from Dec 26th - Jan 31st at the least I ask every single person that contacts me for honing exactly what they have for a razor, before they send it out.. There are quite a few out there that get snapped up over Christmas that are what we call RSO's or razor shaped objects that will never take an edge...

Hope that helps, I am just trying to save you shipping

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Can you please link the razor you got ?????

There are a few "Vintage Straight Razors dot Com" and they are vastly different in what they deliver


Honestly from Dec 26th - Jan 31st at the least I ask every single person that contacts me for honing exactly what they have for a razor, before they send it out.. There are quite a few out there that get snapped up over Christmas that are what we call RSO's or razor shaped objects that will never take an edge...

Hope that helps, I am just trying to save you shipping

---

Here's what I have.

http://www.vintagestraightrazor.com/...ght-razor.html

It's definitely got an edge. I was able to shave. It just wasn't a very close shave. And from what I've read, even if your technique is proper, a poorly honed blade won't give a close shave...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by theonlychrisj

Here's what I have.

Buffalo Horn Straight Razor - Vintage Straight Razor

It's definitely got an edge. I was able to shave. It just wasn't a very close shave. And from what I've read, even if your technique is proper, a poorly honed blade won't give a close shave...

---

Sigh…what you have there is one of those RSO's that Glen was talking about :( You'll have a tough time getting that to take or hold an edge.

It's a shame so many people have to get burned/turned off from SR shaving by those who have no love for the game.

Okay, so you got the bug. Your start is same as mine was. So you need to find a real shave ready razor. This gets better as you go on and learn. Try looking in the classifieds here or look up Whipped Dog. I went a different way but these are the least expensive and most reliable ways to get a good razor that is shave ready and will stay that way.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 10Pups

Okay, so you got the bug. Your start is same as mine was. So you need to find a real shave ready razor. This gets better as you go on and learn. Try looking in the classifieds here or look up Whipped Dog. I went a different way but these are the least expensive and most reliable ways to get a good razor that is shave ready and will stay that way.

---

I saw a lot of razors on whipped dog that were pretty reasonably priced. Are all of the offerings there legit? I'm not I a position to drop more than $100 on a razor, but I don't want to end up with 2 inferior blades... I'm looking at his "sight unseen" razors...

I ordered a sight unseen razor from him, just to roll the dice. I got a beautiful Wostenholm IXL with a great edge that has not needed a hone since i've gotten it in September (i have a 9 razor cycle though). It is the cheapest way to get a nice shaver. If you aren't happy with the razor, you can return it, he's very fast on his e-mail replies. his shipping was rather quick too, less than 2 weeks from Texas to Ontario, Canada.

All in all, it would have cost you roughly the same price as that RSO you unfortunately got and would be shaving already.

Best of luck.

Just another question:

The description of my current razor says that it's "high carbon steel." What's the reason that it wouldn't keep an edge? Or rather, why shouldn't I just send my current razor out to be honed properly?

"High carbon" does not mean high quality. it simply refers to being over a certain percentage of carbon in the steel when the steel was made. I don't recall seeing anywhere on that page what type of steel the blade was made out of, which should be a red flag for you in the future.

If the blade is of lesser quality steel and can't hold an edge it won't matter who hones it, it will still be a poor quality blade when you get it back. If you are thinking of getting into honing in the future it may be worth your time to invest in some decent wet stones and try putting an edge on it yourself, just for fun and as the name states: practice.

I've only heard good things about Whipped Dog, some of the razors might not be display pieces but will be sharp and shave ready

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by theonlychrisj

Just another question:

The description of my current razor says that it's "high carbon steel." What's the reason that it wouldn't keep an edge? Or rather, why shouldn't I just send my current razor out to be honed properly?

---

There are a couple of things besides the type of steel that go towards getting an edge on a razor and the razors ability to keep an edge. The first has to do with having the right blade geometry, that is ground with the right spine width to blade size ratio. The second is even if the proper type of steel is used and it is not hardened enough or too much the ability to take and hold an edge is effected adversely.

Not a thing stopping you from sending your razor out to be honed professionally.

Bob

Whipped dog is a good choice. The razor I got from him is one of he best I have...and it was nearly the cheapest too.

Definitely go with Larry at Whipped Dog really great guy and great value with service to match. He'll even post a straight razor out to you to practice honing when you return it you'll get comments on your honing skills.
Also the classifieds here have some great razors. One final thought the best advice I can give as a newbie is to get your first main razor professionally honed then you'll know what a true shave ready razor feels like.

Send your razor to Whipped Dog to see if he will hone it. If not, have him send it back with one of his. At least you might save some shipping. I understand trying to save your investment but from where we are sitting that doesn't look possible. Just MY opinion :<0)

We have a place with a list. These razors are known problems. Known as in discussed here by those who use and hone and restore straight razors. Brands of Straight Razors to avoid - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by theonlychrisj

Just another question:

The description of my current razor says that it's "high carbon steel." What's the reason that it wouldn't keep an edge? Or rather, why shouldn't I just send my current razor out to be honed properly?

---

My guess is that any pro would refuse to hone it and return the razor. Definitely ask first before you send that out.

Michael

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 10Pups

Send your razor to Whipped Dog to see if he will hone it. If not, have him send it back with one of his. At least you might save some shipping.

---

I suggested this to Larry. Waiting to hear back.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by theonlychrisj

Just another question:

The description of my current razor says that it's "high carbon steel." What's the reason that it wouldn't keep an edge? Or rather, why shouldn't I just send my current razor out to be honed properly?

---

Yeah, what has been said already. Plus a lot of "retailers" only use that term to differentiate any carbon steel from stainless steel. Every steel is an alloy. They all contain carbon.

Look at some razor making vids. See how many heat-treat cycles: annealing, hardening, normalizing go in to making a razor that will perform adequately (given a proper alloy). The marginal (junk) stuff out there probably hasn't been through as much processing (or is of improper alloy, or the heat treatment/work doesn't fit the alloy)--that makes it cheaper! And everybody wants cheeper!

Therein lies the fuel for junk production.

Folks seeking a bargain. Bargains are fun when they work out, but it takes a lot of knowledge to understand the difference in many cases. A proper shaving edge is pushing the steel to its absolute limits. This is not apparent to the novice.

Just buy from folks that come recommended. Safest starter route, so what you spend "x" more. It's usually worth it.

Regarding Cost of Razor:
I've said it before and I'll say it again, poor man can't afford to go cheap when purchasing a quality SR.

Look at the classifieds here. Buying from a known member or approved vendor guarantees you a quality razor that allows you to work on technique without the worry of whether or not the problem is you or the blade.
My first razor came from SRD, the next one came from the classifieds on this site.
From there, after developing a relationship with different members here, I was able to pick up 2 more at incredible prices. The word "Community" does indeed describe this site. Plenty of people looking to help the new guy. Plenty of camaraderie.
There are far too many variables to worry about and work through without it being the quality of the razor.
Be good to yourself.
Buy it right the first....er, the second time.
That's just MHO
Good luck

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by WadePatton

Folks seeking a bargain. Bargains are fun when they work out, but it takes a lot of knowledge to understand the difference in many cases. A proper shaving edge is pushing the steel to its absolute limits. This is not apparent to the novice.

---

+1.

I like flea markets and garage sales. I am always on the lookout for razors and kitchen knives. Occasionally I buy a rusted kitchen knife for 2 euros which I can restore. My latest one is a high quality german kitchen knife which needed restoration and a new handle.

The thing is, of the 100 knives I inspect, only 1 or 2 turn out to be not mass produced junk. It takes a knifemaker or experienced knife user to see the difference between a high quality knife that looks like junk, and actual junk. And the actual junk knives vastly outnumbers the 'looks like junk' knives.

Get the sight unseen $28 razor from whipped dog. I just got one. It's ugly as sin but shaves like a dream :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by theonlychrisj

I suggested this to Larry. Waiting to hear back.

---

Let us know if this works out. If not, we can probably meet for a cup of coffee and I can see what I can do.

Rick

Got my sr from Larry at whipped dog yesterday. Shaved great! Big difference in quality. It's not pretty, but it shaves well!

Also, Larry was extremely helpful throughout the entire process. Very friendly and quick to lend his knowledge to a noob like me. I'll definitely do business with him again.