Thread: Cheap sharpening?

Hi guys,

I got myself a cheap straight razor made in China - one of those Golden Dollar deals. It didn't come sharp enough to cut the hair on my face, but it has proven to be fully capable of cutting hair everywhere else. So obviously I need to get a strop, but I probably need to get a stone or such to sharpen/bevel it first. The thing is, straight razors mainly interest me from a perspective of not being wasteful, and potentially being cheaper to shave with. I'm not going to buy a bunch of $80 stones, and I find it absolutely absurd that people are willing to pay that much.

I really don't care about making my razor as sharp and perfect as possible - I just want it to adequately cut the hair on my face.

So if I'm to buy one cheap stone along with using a strop, and nothing else, what might I want to buy?

Thanks.

I hate to say it Twindle, because you asked a fair question for a new-comer, but you should probably do a search here for 'GOLD DOLLAR RAZOR' and do a little reading before you waste a lot of time and effort and more money on even a cheap stone. Usually a cheap razor is exactly that, and when combined with even a cheap stone and strop it's just a more costly exercise in frustration.

Good Luck!

Welcome Twindle,,,,, before you buy anything in regards to wetshaving,,, read the "Library" section in regards to beginners, hones & razors. This will take a while, but put you on the right path.

The reviews on them on amazon were not that bad. Further, people posting on forums like this aren't that harsh on them either. http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthr...-Dollar-Razors

There is no reason for a little bit of hardened steel to be very expensive. I do not regret purchasing a cheap razor. I just need to compliment it with a cheap stone, strop, and skill.

If your serious about your desire to continue, then please listen to the advice given to you on "Straight Razor Place" . Many good members here, started where you are now & learned by taking the advice.

Originally Posted by twindle

The reviews on them on amazon were not that bad. Further, people posting on forums like this aren't that harsh on them either. http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthr...-Dollar-Razors

There is no reason for a little bit of hardened steel to be very expensive. I do not regret purchasing a cheap razor. I just need to compliment it with a cheap stone, strop, and skill.

Sometimes the more expensive option is the cheaper in the long run. Would you rather buy the 500 dollar beater car or a new car that will last alot longer. Sure you can fix up the cheap car but that's more money and time before you can finally enjoy and add to that the regular maintenance that it would still need. It is the same thing here. A well made razor and quality strop and stone well carry you longer and further then cheap stuff. Also a sharper edge will usually last longer than a hardly honed edge

Originally Posted by cosperryan

Sometimes the more expensive option is the cheaper in the long run. Would you rather buy the 500 dollar beater car or a new car that will last alot longer. Sure you can fix up the cheap car but that's more money and time before you can finally enjoy and add to that the regular maintenance that it would still need. It is the same thing here. A well made razor and quality strop and stone well carry you longer and further then cheap stuff. Also a sharper edge will usually last longer than a hardly honed edge

If the steel is the same, and the shape is the same, the difference is pomp. It's more like spending a lot of money on some absurdly expensive wine when some buck chuck defeated it in actual taste testing. There are people saying the particular cheap straight razor I got holds an edge well... infact better than their more expensive razors.

Twindle,,,, it's pretty clear now that you are not serious & you just want to waste everybody's time,,,,

Originally Posted by Hirlau

Twindle,,,, it's pretty clear now that you are not serious & you just want to waste everybody's time,,,,

No, I want someone to direct me to a cheap, but very usable stone, which exists. Further, my desire to only use one indicates that I'm fishing for a grit that's a compromise between honing and finishing.

Go to the "Library" section that we have & read about the various types of hones & how they perform. There are links attached in the sections that I refer to.