Thread: 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.

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

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...

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.

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