Ready to make the plunge!! (and strop question)

Hello all,
My name is Landis and well... I'm a shave-a-holic. I became obsessed with the idea of the straight shave since this past Christmas and have been lurking unregistered outside of this wonderful forum ever since. After having graduated from the horrors of the Mach 3 to the glory that is my $5.00 vintage gillette fatboy DE, I've begun acquiring straights to send off to Lynn for the big event.

I've got one 5/8 Joseph Rodgers & sons with a barber's notch that looks like it's never been used. Anyone know anything about these? This one will be on the way to Lynn as soon as I can find time in my buisy school/work schedule to do so.

Took a chance on this guy a few days ago. What do you think? If she matches the description, I feel it could be a great shaver.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...0199&rd=1&rd=1

I do have one question. I purchased an Illinois Strop on ebay that was in near new condition.

1. What is the simplest most effective way to condition my new strop?

2. How long will I be able to survive with 2 lynn honed razors, and a proper unpasted leather/linen strop, without needing a hone or involving paste?

Thanks for any advice/encouragement you can offer. Hope yall don't get tired of me, cause you'll be hearing from me quite often if I remain as obsessed with straight shaving as I have with the rest of my hobbies!!!! Cheers,
Landis

Welcome aboard Landis. JR razors have a great reputation, so chances are it will be one of your favourite shavers. The W&B looks good, but it may go high. I just shaved with a similar one (but I had to do a full restoration on it) and got great results as always.
Even an unused vintage strop can have leather issues. If it's nice, soft and supple, you won't need to do any conditioning. If it's just a bit dry, you can use a leather conditioner like a strop dressing or neetsfoot oil. If it needs some serious reconditioning, I'll let Glen or Tony take over.

1. I used Mink oil.

2. About 15-20 shaves per razor.

Obession? It goes with the territory. We're all familiar with it and can help you with that too ... not control it, just direct it. :D

X

So after my 15-20 shaves, what will be my next step? Back to a hone, or simply a pasted strop??

Also, who could I contact if my W&B needs a resto?? How much might it cost?? It's already been purchased, and for a mere 9.99 I might add! Seems like a sweet deal?!

I'd recommend Jason (Toxik) or Joe Chandler. They both do amazing restoration work. By the way you stole that one for that price.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BBSWANNABE

So after my 15-20 shaves, what will be my next step? Back to a hone, or simply a pasted strop??

---

Either. Pasted strops should get you by for several 'refreshers', say half a dozen or so, but you will eventually need to hit the stone. Wedges should hold their edge longer than the hollows.

X

JOSEPH RODGERS (ROGERS) & SONS
Norfolk St., Sheffield
Appointed cutlers to His Majesty King George IV in 1821; chosen as one of 5 firms to make cutlery speciments for presentation to the Duke of York in 1826 ("Old Sheffield Razors" by Lummus. Antiques, December 1922 p.261-267)
1682 - at least 1991

Just a little info on the razor. I don't own one, but since
it's a Sheffield, it will be an excellent razor.

Anyway.... Welcome to the forum..... :)



Terry

Just FYI, I got about 21 shaves out of a good Dovo carbon steel razor with just daily stropping. Unfortunately, I had to send it off to get it honed, as my honing skills were not quite up to par.