Thread: Beginner plan check

Hello all,
I've read a lot and have put together a checklist and wanted to get a confirmation that I am on the right page.

My goal is to concentrate on the shaving aspect. From what I've read, honing is a whole 'nother hobby but I do want to learn the minimum necessary to fully maintain my razor. At least for now. That said, the stone approach appeals to me more than pastes and from what I gather, you don't necessarily need a paste. This plan may be a bit more than needed, but please tell me if there is something I am missing or if I'm wrong about the paste thing.

Plan:

- Purchase 2 straight razors and have them pro-honed
- Purchase strop kit from whipped dog
- learn and practice stropping and shaving on one of the razors
- Periodically check one vs the other to see if I can detect the difference over time
- Once I determine one needs to be "refreshed" or "touched up" (I'm assuming these words mean the same thing in the honing context) I will purchase a 4k/8k stone and a higher grit finishing stone
- Practice honing the razor until it feels like the other unused one.

Seems like a reasonable plan to me. The devil's in the detail though - what razors did you intend to purchase?

James.

I plan on getting new production razors from one of the reputable companies mentioned Dovo, TI, etc.

5/8 or 6/8 carbon steel. From what I can tell from reading, as long as they are from a reputable company and handled by a pro-honer, I should be good. I imagine the honer that I go with will warn me if there is a problem with the blade.

I'll probably narrow down the choices by visual aesthetics.

Sounds good. I'm assuming you are choosing the strop based on the idea that it's better, if it happens, to ruin a cheap strop than a good one? Probably a good idea, nicks and sometimes cuts are common when you first learn to strop.

James.

Welcome to SRP, Shawn.

Sounds like the plan is coming together. If I might add a few thoughts:

Have you considered a plan for pre-shave prep? Soaps/creams? Lather making can be practices right now while using cartridges.

I wouldn't consider a 4/8K hone for refreshing. CrOx can refresh and edge. When CrOx isn't cutting it, I chose a Naniwa 12K Super Stone for touching up or refreshing the edge. Generally, "refreshing" or "touchups" are done on a finishing hone, if available. Keep in mind, you are going to be getting a razor pro-honed off a 12K at the least, if the dealer or seller is of any repute. That being said, an 8K would degrade the pro-honed edge. That being said, a hone shouldn't be considered as a necessity for a beginner's plan, IMO

Also, you may want to consider keeping the one razor as a sort of holy grail in order to compare what you are doing may be affecting the other blades' edge.

My 2c.

Regards,
Simon

Originally Posted by Jimbo

Sounds good. I'm assuming you are choosing the strop based on the idea that it's better, if it happens, to ruin a cheap strop than a good one? Probably a good idea, nicks and sometimes cuts are common when you first learn to strop.

James.

Or... practice on a sheet of newspaper fashioned into a hanging strop.
Will damage the razor less than leather can & will not damage the leather at all.

Originally Posted by Siguy

Have you considered a plan for pre-shave prep? Soaps/creams? Lather making can be practices right now while using cartridges.

I have been DE shaving for about 5 whole iterations now and I think I have the lather/pre/post thing figured out. I'm using Proraso preshave, Mitchells Wool fat, Semogue brush, 3 passes, alum block, cade balm.

I have other soaps to sample, but MWF is pretty awesome so far.

Welcome in!

So far you are in great hands, with solid plans.

I will interject with you may want to consider a pro honing post starting,
I say this as most of us dull an edge or two fairly quick between learning the shave and the strop. ( 1-2 months for many)
At this point most are just getting good and comfortable with it and things have improved even as the edge has degraded.

If you choose not to I fully understand as I am one that likes the hard road more often than I may want to admit.

Good barbers hone is not a bad way to go for maintaining. If you destroy an edge or start buying razors that need restore/bevel set then you could get some stones.

Originally Posted by 10Pups

Good barbers hone is not a bad way to go for maintaining. If you destroy an edge or start buying razors that need restore/bevel set then you could get some stones.

I second this. I picked up a very good condition barbers hone for 15 bucks. Works great.