Thread: Suggestions

Originally Posted by Brenngun

If you haven't purchased the strop yet I would avoid the one you have been looking at for only one reason. It's less than 2" wide. It looks alright otherwise but the narrow width will make you work harder in the beginning to get good even edge coverage. Better if you can to look for a 2 1/2 or 3" wide strop.

I'm not that afraid of a little challenge, anyway I already bought that strop
Looks fine enough
Thanks for the suggestion.

Originally Posted by JLambson

1. I would suggest getting a silicon sleeve for each of your razors. Straight Razor Designs and The Superior Shave sell these and they work great for storage. I oil the hinge every once in a while, but I never coat the blades in oil. I have been storing my razors in these sleeves for a year, and my razors have not seen a spot of rust.
2. I would look into Naniwa stones or Norton stones. I prefer Naniwa and they come in a combination stone of 3k/8k, and the Norton comes in a combination stone of 4k/8k. Both hones are great to maintain your edge. I actually started with a coticule and still prefer that edge to any other, but really the matter of honing, what hones to buy, etc. is completely subjective. However, the Naniwa and Norton stones are very consistent and would do just fine at maintaining your razors edge. Of course, chances are you venture further down the rabbit hole. Just know that it is important for you to master a hone like the 3/8k or 4/8k (or whatever hone you decide on) before exploring additional hones.

The straight razor I already bought came with a small box for storage so I do not think to buy something else for storage as of now

But regarding the grit sizes of stones if I have to buy ONE stone (I'm assuming they have multiple grit sides right? ) what should the sizes be? is 4/8k right as you mentioned above?

Also,
1) Is there any risk of "overoiling?" I mean can a blade react to that in some undesirable way?
Is oiling "really" necessary? For example assume that my blade will be stored dry after every shave, what would be my expectation? A pile of rust? or a regular blade?

As always, I appreciate your insights.

The purpose of the silicon sleeves that I mentioned is to prevent rust. That is something that the box that your razor came in doesn't do. If you keep your razor in these sleeves while it is not in use, you do not need to coat your razor in oil after every shave (unless you live in an extremely humid area, i.e. Near the ocean). That's why I mentioned the sleeves. They're not just something to store your razor in.

Yes. Multiple grit sides. 4/8k is the right ticket. Most likely, you will only need the the 8k side for touch-ups, but if the edge declines too far, you can use the 4k side to bring it back, and then finish with the 8k side. Same theory with the 3/8k naniwa.

As far as I know, you can store a razor in a bucket of oil without it causing any damage to the metal. However, (I didn't read what razor you settled on) you might want to reconsider this approach of excessive oil use if the razor's handle material is natural (horn or wood) ((steel scales would obviously be fine)).

I have only ever oiled my blades until I bought silicon "rust prevention" sleeves for all my razors, so I do not know what would come from only drying your razor. That probably depends on the environment that you live in more than anything. Humidity + not protecting your razor = pile of rust (so to speak).

Best Regards,

Jeremy

The sack-ups is the right thing that I am talking about. This site sells basically the same thing. Scroll down until you see them.

https://thesuperiorshave.com/straigh...ses_rolls.html

It looks to me that it would be $12 shipped, but I am not 100% sure.

The sleeve that you found on ebay would not do the same thing. It is the silicon treatment in these sleeves that does the trick.

Best Regards,

Jeremy

Yes you are right Cotton Razor Sleeve (Price Per Sleeve, <$40 Non-US Orders ONLY)
$12.00

Then I guess this is a way better idea than buying it on SRD.



Also, I am thinking of buying this in upcoming months, 1aTTack Schleifstein Wasserstein in höchster Qualität 2 Körnungen bis 8000 ! | eBay

With a grit size of 3000/8000 I should have no problems right?

I am unsure of that brand. I would much rather spend a little more and buy a brand with a reputation (Norton 4/8k or Naniwa 3/8k), than deal with frustrations of a generic brand not working like it is supposed to. If you have heard good things about that brand, then that is a different story. 3/8k or 4/8k grit is the correct range.

Best,

Jeremy

Thanks
I'll look around more and decide now that I know the correct size range

I bought a brand new boker king cutter just over a month ago and after two weeks I noticed some small dark marks on the blade (if it was a knife I would call it patina). I don't think it is anything to worry about and its certainly not rust. I dried my blade religousley after each shave and stropped on canvas, the only thing I can think that may have caused it, is that I didn't dry it straight after a shave but maybe five minutes after so maybe that's all it takes to mark these blades ?

Since noticing them I have been drying the blade immediately after shaving then 30 or so strokes on the canvas strop followed by a drop of mineral oil (aka baby oil, I found that out after searching several supermarkets and chemists for "mineral oil" only to find out that its common baby oil !) That I rub over the blade and tang. Since then there have been no new dark spots appearing.

Originally Posted by heyjude

Also, I am thinking of buying this in upcoming months, 1aTTack Schleifstein Wasserstein in höchster Qualität 2 Körnungen bis 8000 ! | eBay

With a grit size of 3000/8000 I should have no problems right?

I bought one of these a while back just to see what they were like Eden Quality Combi Waterstone grain 2000 / 5000 | knivesandtools.co.uk I wanted to compare it to the naniwa stones. The one you posted looks remarkably similar.

To put it bluntly they are junk and a complete waste of money, they may appear cheep but not when you realise you will have to stick it in a draw and buy a decent stone. I bought mine to try on knives, no way I would even contemplate letting a razor touch one !! If you want reasons here they are

1) They are soft, I mean really really soft. I have bought lots of stones and these things are the softest I have ever come across by a long long way. I tried sharpening a knife and had to lap the thing 3 times due to the very visable dishing. (I only used it once)

2) The stated grit size doesn't feel anything like what it should.

3) Due to how soft they are they won't last long and require constant lapping.

The decision is of cause up to you but I would spend more and get a decent stone that does the job. In all honesty I have not come across a "cheep" stone that was worth the money and these things are the worst I've ever seen. I have never understood why people are happy to spend hundreds on knives/razors then buy cheep nasty stones to maintain them!

Sorry if it sounds harsh but I'm trying to save you money. Buy a decent stone or stones from the get go because if you go down the cheep and nasty road you will realise you wasted your money and have to buy a good stone anyway

My experience is really with knives but I highly recommend the naniwa super stones. They are the. best price to performance stones I have ever used.

Originally Posted by mike1011

I bought a brand new boker king cutter just over a month ago and after two weeks I noticed some small dark marks on the blade (if it was a knife I would call it patina). I don't think it is anything to worry about and its certainly not rust. I dried my blade religousley after each shave and stropped on canvas, the only thing I can think that may have caused it, is that I didn't dry it straight after a shave but maybe five minutes after so maybe that's all it takes to mark these blades ?

Since noticing them I have been drying the blade immediately after shaving then 30 or so strokes on the canvas strop followed by a drop of mineral oil (aka baby oil, I found that out after searching several supermarkets and chemists for "mineral oil" only to find out that its common baby oil !) That I rub over the blade and tang. Since then there have been no new dark spots appearing.

That's certainly a good warning for me My blade is stainless steel completely so should be coating the blade completely in oil?

But I still think most users do not dry their blades "religiously" like you mentioned
So wouldn't this become a hot issue if blades got rusty after 2 weeks of letting the blade stay a little wet for 5 minutes after every shave? Could it be something else? Maybe the storing place was humid or etc?