Thread: First Post... And some questions about a vintage razor

Thanks to all who replied. I appreciate your input. My plan is to eventually become self-sufficient by honing my own razors, but my main concern now is to perfect my stropping and shaving technique- after I buy a quality strop, of course.

I agree with ColonelG on the 3" Black Latigo strop from SRD. I'm absolutely loving mine... The leather is top notch quality and easily replaced for $25 or so (can't remember offhand) if you gouge it up.

Also, you could try to shave with it to see if it's been properly honed, but if you do and get a poor shave, you'll never know if the root cause is poor technique or a dull razor. By eliminating one variable, you can focus your attention on the other. You'll also know exactly what a freshly honed and shave ready straight razor feels like for future reference (especially if you plan on learning to hone yourself). It's your face and your razor, but I would definitely agree with you that sending it to Lynn (or any of the other members that advertise honing services here) is the smartest way to go. It seems you're on the right track there.

Keep us posted on how you make out and how your first shave goes!

Originally Posted by crouton976

I agree with ColonelG on the 3" Black Latigo strop from SRD. I'm absolutely loving mine... The leather is top notch quality and easily replaced for $25 or so (can't remember offhand) if you gouge it up.

Also, you could try to shave with it to see if it's been properly honed, but if you do and get a poor shave, you'll never know if the root cause is poor technique or a dull razor. By eliminating one variable, you can focus your attention on the other. You'll also know exactly what a freshly honed and shave ready straight razor feels like for future reference (especially if you plan on learning to hone yourself). It's your face and your razor, but I would definitely agree with you that sending it to Lynn (or any of the other members that advertise honing services here) is the smartest way to go. It seems you're on the right track there.

Keep us posted on how you make out and how your first shave goes!

Ok, for those waiting in the wings, I know, I know, not very bold of me to "Like" a post that agrees with me. LOL
I the "Like" is for everything that came after.

Have a great day !!

Thanks again, everyone, for your input. I will certainly be seeking professional honing for my vintage razor. In the meantime, I purchased a professionally honed GD (gasp!) razor to practice my stropping technique. The last thing I want to do is purchase a good strop and chop it to bits with bad technique. I seem to have gotten it down, and didn't cut my inexpensive strop even once.

Everything was going well, so I gave in to temptation and went for my first shave on about two days' growth. Thanks to the reading I've been doing here on the forum, I stuck with one pass WTG, and did only the flatter parts of my face. For the chin and neck, I switched back to my DE razor. While I didn't get a super close shave, it felt great- no nicks, no pulling, even with the left hand. I'm sure I'll achieve a close shave once I've got the angles figured out, but for now, I'm glad to say that my first straight shaving experience was a great one. I'm definitely hooked.

I'm really looking forward to starting with my vintage razor, but until that's been honed, I'll keep on practicing with the GD.

Thanks again to Lynn for compiling great videos and information here on the forum, and to everyone who has taken the time to reply.