Thread: Looking to get into straight razor shaving.

Hi everyone,

I have been using a DE razor for about 6 months now and am looking into getting a straight razor. I find the honing part a little daunting starting out and was wondering if there is a place or a guy that could hone a razor for me in the Edmonton AB area? And any suggestions for a good quality beginners razor? The Fendrihan website sells some pre-honed razors would that be my best option? Any help would be appreciated.

I just received my first razor yesterday so I am in no way a pro, and I am sure others will chime in soon. But I had my first shave with a straight yesterday and I couldn't be happier. Straight Razor Designs (SRD) is who I bought from and they come already honed from Lynn (co creator of this forum and SRD) and shave ready (plus you get a free honing certificate from them) and my Ralf Aust razor worked very well out of the box.

My recommendation would be SRD, they aren't that expensive and you get very good quality gear. I bought the wet shaving kit.

Thank you! I will definitely go there.

Originally Posted by Pipes101

Hi everyone,

I have been using a DE razor for about 6 months now and am looking into getting a straight razor. I find the honing part a little daunting starting out and was wondering if there is a place or a guy that could hone a razor for me in the Edmonton AB area? And any suggestions for a good quality beginners razor? The Fendrihan website sells some pre-honed razors would that be my best option? Any help would be appreciated.

It depends how much you are willing to spend. If you get a new razor from straightrazordesigns it will be profesionally honed by Lynn and you will even get a free re-hone on that razor as well. you could keep thind more inexpensive and get a blade from whippeddog. There are also some good deals in the classifieds and many of them come shave ready as well.

Originally Posted by UAcowboy

It depends how much you are willing to spend. If you get a new razor from straightrazordesigns it will be profesionally honed by Lynn and you will even get a free re-hone on that razor as well. you could keep thind more inexpensive and get a blade from whippeddog. There are also some good deals in the classifieds and many of them come shave ready as well.

Agreed. I started with a blade from Whipped Dog. Won't win beauty contests but is still one of my best shavers. I'd recommend you try one of those. If you don't like it there's no great loss.

before I bought from SRD a lot of people suggested Whippeddog. I did a lot of research online and there is a lot of good about his customer service all around. as far as the blades it seems to be hit or miss. More hits the misses but I wasn't willing to take the chance for my first blade. I plan to buy from him when I start getting into honing so I don't mess up my more expensive razor. I liked the idea of having something newer and knowing it is coming from a "larger" (probably the wrong word) company. at least more "established" (also probably the wrong word). But that's just me. I have read a lot of reviews and websites about Whippeddog and they are on the net for you to do your research. I spent 3 weeks researching different sites/razor companies/etc. before I made my first purchase, and to allow that initial "I have the money to buy one and I must have it now" feeling to subside to make sure it was a purchase I truly wanted to make.

Good luck.

Thanks guys, I am definitely looking into these two sites. Both of them are cheaper than the Fendrihan website I was looking at.

Pipes101,
I live in about 4h North-East of Edmonton, and I've tried to find stores where I could go look and handle some straight razors and other shaving gear. It's hard to find in this area and in Edmonton... Apparently, Knifewear on Whyte Ave is a new store that just opened up and they supposedly carry straight razors as well as other accessories. According to their website, they do hone razors at their store. I have not been to this store yet, but I probably will check it out next time I'm in the city. I had also found another store in Red Deer a while ago that sold straight razors and accessories, but I can't remember the name. Google might help... And another member on this forum had recommended When Pigs Fly for some accessories, I think they would have mostly skin products such as shave creams and after-shaves.

As most other members have already told you, I think your best bet as far as honing is concerned is to ship your razor to a reputable honemeister. Many online stores (Fendrihan, Classic Edge, Whippeddog, SRD...) offer honing services. There is also the Member's Services section of the Classified Adds on this forum that can help (most are in the USA or overseas...)

As far as my personal experienced so far, I have only ordered one straight razor, a Dovo Inox, brand new from the online store "ClassicEdge.ca". They hone all their razors before shipping, and they offer a free re-hone (you just need to pay $7 return-shipping). It's an Ontario based company, and I've heard a lot of good things about them. I don't have anything to compare with since it's my first razor, but it seemed sharp when I got it... Although I may have dulled it slightly as I was learning to strop. I still us the razor, but I think it's due to be "refreshed".

Hi and welcome. I wouldn't use a knife shop for honing. The classic edge has a good reputation and the Canadian boys use him frequently. Most places are referenced somewhere in the past so a search here will usually pull up some info about them. Good luck

Thanks shallard I'll have to check out that place on Whyte ave.

There is a new place in west ed mall that is kind of like an art of shaving store in the states. They sell DE razors, brushes, and soaps and a few straight razors but I believe they are not shave ready.

I'll look up classic edge, I like the idea of getting a free sharpening so I will probably go with classic edge or SRD.