Printable View
Hello.
I have been wanting to move into straight razor shaving and have talked about it
with a few people.
Today my father in law dropped by and gave me this older Boker king cutter that he used to use.
I have not used one before and have been told that a round point is better for beginners.
What I am looking for is opinion and advice on whether I should get this cleaned up and try and learn with it or get a round point and start with that??
I'd use it. Send it off to someone in the classified to hone it up. My feeling is that if the corner is muted, and yours looks to be, then it's not that much different than using a round point. It's always neat to have something that's been in the family.
Get that baby honed by a pro and stay aware of where the point is as you shave. Some say round point to start, others say no difference. Major thing I have learned in shaving with a straight is that, regardless of point or round, you have to concentrate on where the razor is on your face and the amount of pressure you are using. Read the wikis, watch the vids, find a mentor in your area for one-on-one and know it is baby steps before running the mile.
(Had a great dinner in Winnipeg in 1965)
I think you can learn with any kind of razor... just like you can learn to drive using any kind of car. Seriously. Moreover, that Boker in my mind doesn't need cleaning up - though it might need a hone!
Great father in law BTW!!! Good luck!. And welcome to the forum!
Very nice gift! The Arbolito line was for the South American Market. Good razor!!
I would agree with the others as well... Learning to shave with a straight is difficult no matter what, but with some good focus and light, light pressure you should be ok. Buuuut if you really are nervous about the point I'd gladly take that razor off your hands for you ;)
Get that bad boy honed up and you'll have a great shaver!
Both.Quote:
Originally Posted by ADG638
You should get it cleaned up and honed. Then you should put it away and practice with some other razor. Learn the various ways that a razor easily can be destroyed. Favorite variants are the drop, the sink-side smash, and the strop roll, but others such as the suddenly opened door, the screaming flailing child, and the wild dog can also happen. Given that this razor has gold-leaf, you have the added peril of corrosion due to the nasty chemical dihydrogen oxide.
I suggest that you find some other razor with which to learn and only after you are more adept with it should you start using the gift from your father in law.
However, your mileage and father in law may vary.
Lucky! That's a great starting razor. Spend lots of time on the forum and learn from the experience of others. It's a fulfilling hobby!
Haha thanks Chapman but I can't sell a gift.Quote:
Originally Posted by chapman
He might ask for it back one day.
Looks like a great razor and should be a great shaver. I'm with Utopian though as my first razor is considerably small due to dropping it, nicks etc. Keep it for once your past that stage.
Another for going along with Utopian's suggestion to get another razor to learn on. Preserve that very fine family heirloom for later when you are a bit more skilled and can enjoy it to the fullest. By all means have it professionally cleaned up and honed for later use. Boker King Cutters are know to be very fine razors and can give as good a shave as there is to be had. Love mine.
Bob
Perfect! Nothing beats getting handed down a Straight Razor from family!
Thanks for the advice guys.
I think I'll get it cleaned and sharpened and get a starter razor, I'd hate to damage it.
I'll be on the look out for a round point to learn with.
So if you have one at a good learner shaver price let me know!
Nice razor! I would think that the spike point would make you more cautious of the blade, and therefore saving you some cuts. My advice is to learn with it, seeing as you already have it. If you can master a spike point, you can shave with anything. Take your time, don't rush. Any razor has the potential to cut, and a round point cuts just the same. Good luck!
It does not have a spike point. It has a square point.
Spike point, square point, same thing. :)
wow , nice razor and a good one all you need is a good honing ready to shave condition.LYNN is the man with the great honing experience.If you change your mind and the blade does not have a crack I will buy it from you.Thank you.
I echo the guys here that say put it away until you learn your shavecraft. You wouldn't want to damage a family heirloom during your initial learning curve. I can't really advise what kind of blade to use, as all of mine are round points or barbers notches.
A spike point is a sharp 90 degree angle. A square point is very slightly rounded. They are not the same.Quote:
Originally Posted by Firefighter2
What you have there is a great razor. I have two King Cutters and love them both.
Now, as for the question of whether to use it or not, I think the best option was offered early on: look in the classifieds here to find a pro honer. Send it off to get it honed along with a request to "mute" the point. That will effectively remove the danger of the point slicing you up, but without changing the blade's profile. Then, once you're more comfortable shaving with a straight, you can have the edge restored right to the point and it will function as originally intended.
That deals with the square point issue. The other factors still apply (potential for damaging it by dropping the razor or dinging it on a faucet, etc.) that may make you want to learn on another razor. But the point can be dealt with when honed. And whatever you do and whatever razor you start with, you will want to make sure it is pro honed before use.
I wish I was still living in my hometown as I'd just say bring it over and I'd take care of it for you. Always good to see another Winnipegger here. :)
I'm missing the concern about the point. It is already muted into a gentle square point. It is not a spike and needs no alteration for safety. If it were to be altered into a more rounded square point it would be quite a challenge to restore the original point unless the blade were shortened.
Muting a point does not equal altering the blade's profile. See for example post #2 here: http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...ing-spike.htmlQuote:
Originally Posted by Utopian
EDIT: I take your point about, well, the point. It is not a spike, but if the OP is concerned about the sharp end, muting is an option that can be reversed.
Yes, a spike point that has been properly muted (meanly just slightly) can quickly be returned to a full spike in a couple of honing sessions. That's not the case with this razor. The point is far from a spike and any alteration from its current profile to mute it more than it already is will require a whole lot more work and steel removal than just a couple of standard honings.
Thankyou for the offer but i wont sell it.Quote:
Originally Posted by semperfi6141
I found an 80 year old italian guy who is a career barber here and is still operating.
he is going to clean it up and sharpen it for me.