Recently Got a Straight Razor! Tips on Cheap Honing and Sharpening?

Hi all,

I recently purchased this razor from ebay:

Attachment 172880Attachment 172881

I'm just getting started with the whole straight razor shaving thing (I decided to make the switch because my other cartridge razor was cutting up my face), and I'd like to be able to start shaving for as little cost as possible, being a cash-strapped college student. I was wondering if anyone had some tips for me on how to hone and sharpen my razor (without buying a whetstone, etc). I tried honing it with a P3000 sheet of sandpaper from an autobody shop, and sharpening on my jeans (both can be seen in the background of the first photo), but after a couple of hours I was still having trouble setting a bevel and sharpening it. Do you think it can be done the way I want, or am I better off sending it out to have it sharpened and then just keeping it well? Thanks!

cheapest and most efficient way is to not buy hones , paper or what have you ,, send it to a true razor hone guy , who uses them and does it all the time,, because till you learn t shave with one you will not know if your razor is even shave ready sharp. plenty of videos showing how to start ,, Lynn Abrams has a real good one for first timers and or library has tons of info good luck tc by the way if we know where your from its easier to hook you up

Your best bet is to send it out to Lynn or one of the others on this site that hone razors. If you used sandpaper that would be the best assurance that it will be done right.

Thanks for the reply! I'm from Brewster, New York, by the way. Also, any information on this particular razor would be greatly appreciated!

The very cheapest of all hones would be the king 1K/6K combo, And a progression of diamond pastes to finish.

I have the king 1/6.

The 1K side is very good. The 6K side is o.k as a mid step. Shaving directly off the 6K is a bit more problematic hence you either need pastes or a finer grit hone.

http://www.amazon.com/King-47506-100...king+1000+6000

Use a 1 micron diamond paste after this. On either felt, leather or balsawood.

DMT DP1 Dia-Paste Diamond Compound 1 Micron - Diamond Honing Paste - Amazon.com

Then pickup the whipped dog poor mans strop kit.

This includes a strop and a balsa chrome oxide strop

Whipped Dog Straight Razor Shaving Equipment

It's not an ideal setup. It is however usable, I used it for over 6 months and got quite proficient with it before I upgraded to Naniwa stones ( I still use the 1K side of the king).



The king stone is actually pretty good for knives as well, It's a far better option than sandpaper at the very least.

Welcome to the SRP. Whippeddog also offers a honing service you might be able to send your razor in to be honed and combine ship it and a poor mans strop kit. He honed my first razor.

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Originally Posted by poorcollegekid

Hi all,

I recently purchased this razor from ebay:

Attachment 172880Attachment 172881

I'm just getting started with the whole straight razor shaving thing (I decided to make the switch because my other cartridge razor was cutting up my face), and I'd like to be able to start shaving for as little cost as possible, being a cash-strapped college student. I was wondering if anyone had some tips for me on how to hone and sharpen my razor (without buying a whetstone, etc). I tried honing it with a P3000 sheet of sandpaper from an autobody shop, and sharpening on my jeans (both can be seen in the background of the first photo), but after a couple of hours I was still having trouble setting a bevel and sharpening it. Do you think it can be done the way I want, or am I better off sending it out to have it sharpened and then just keeping it well? Thanks!

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Welcome aboard,,,,,,,,
If your cutting your face with a cartridge razor, then maybe straights are not for you at this time. Try another brand of cartridge before you switch to straights. There are cheap cartridge razors out there that do not cut faces.

Honing,,,,,, either you do it yourself or someone does it for you. As for how cheap these two options are, a lot of things factor into the cost.

Where did you get the idea to hone on sandpaper & jeans?

Where did you learn about setting bevels?

Do I think that you can get your razor to shave ready by 3000 paper & jeans alone,,,, No,,,,,,,,

I think that your decision to enter into straight razor shaving is a last minute thought.

Take a few hours & read through our library section on beginners, razor honing & maintenance. Even if you decide not to use straights, there is a ton of good information in the library that will help make your shaving experiences much better, regardless of what type of equipment you choose.

Hi and welcome. Sounds like you might be better off with a de for the moment and re evaluate when you have all the information that you need to start with a straight properly.

+1 on Hirlau's post.

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Originally Posted by Hirlau

If your cutting your face with a cartridge razor, then maybe straights are not for you at this time. .

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Thanks for your comment!

Ya know, I don't know why I said it was cutting my face - it was more just irritating it. I've been shaving with a cartridge razor for a few years and wasn't entirely happy whenever I shaved, due to the irritation and a bit of pulling. I've been through many a replacement cartridge and had been looking into straight razors as an alternative for some time. I agree that it was a bit of a last minute decision to get into it now - that was a keen insight. I was looking on ebay at straight razors, saw that one, and bid because the price was low (I didn't exactly think I'd get it).
That being said, I was a bit hasty in terms of honing and sharpening. I got the idea to hone on sand paper from something I read online in another forum that said it's possible, but not perfect. I realized going into it that I didn't have the proper materials (or knowledge, though I have kept a number of camping knives sharp), which is why, after giving it a bit of a try, I decided to come here for tips on doing it without investing in a stone (though I know that's ultimately the best way).

The main problem is, even if you go down the route of buying hones you won't know if you have it shave ready or not.

Understanding what the edge of a truly shave ready razor feels like is impossible to describe and it is something you really have to feel for yourself.

Even if is the only blade you ever get honed by someone else it will be worth every penny (cent). You get to know what a shave ready edge feels like and you can have a go at shaving knowing that if it doesn't work out then its not due to the razor :)

Put out a request for mentors in your area. They are honing savvy and will, usually for no charge, get your razor to shave ready and give you a healthy one-on-one instruction session on proper straight razor shaving. The mentors are there to help any one looking for help, especially cash strapped college students. You need to first concentrate on learning proper straight razor usage, map your face, build good lather and proper and effective stropping. Down the road, when time and money permit (a year at least) think about learning the exasperating but satisfying skill of honing your own.

Honing by someone who knows what they're doing and are available on here assures it will be done by a professional who knows what they're doing. $25 or so plus roundtrip postage. It's the cheapest way to get a razor so you can shave. There are no shortcuts. Buying homes and learning is expensive and a relatively long road. As others have said, start with a DE. You can get a decent quality Parker or similar and a sample of blades for $30. Go for it until you have more disposable income.

And on second thought, if you decide you want to go the DE route PM me. I have a no name DE and several packages of blades to give you to get you away from the cartridges and on the road to better shaving.

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Originally Posted by poorcollegekid

Thanks for your comment!

,,,,,,,,).

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Your welcome,,,,,,,,,,,,

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Originally Posted by eddy79

Hi and welcome. Sounds like you might be better off with a de for the moment and re evaluate when you have all the information that you need to start with a straight properly.

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Send the razor out to be professionally honed. I don't think your post mentioned if you own a strop...you will need one to use before every shave, except for the first one. The first shave, after you get your professionally honed razor back, I recommend you NOT strop it, as you may dull it from inexperience. Also, as already mentioned you may want to try DE shaving. The learning curve is much less steep.

The base setup for hones will run you about $140. Sending it out to be honed will be around $30.
So you can send it out to be honed four times and it would still be cheaper than buying hones.
Since you don't even know if you like straight shaving yet, I would save the money and send it out to be pro honed.