Thread: New to this

I am a computer guy who loves this vintage stuff. Somewhat of a weird combination I suppose. I am new to the whole straight razor shaving thing, but anxious to learn.

Currently have an inexpensive Maxam Straight razor. I am currently shopping on a popular auction site for a shave ready one, and have a feeler out to a few knifemakers I know to have a custom one made.

I've began to try and hone the one I have, as it is nowhere near shave ready, but I am not skilled enough, nor have the proper tools to properly hone this one to that condition.

I found this site while looking for someone who could hone this razor.

Originally Posted by technoid

I am a computer guy who loves this vintage stuff. Somewhat of a weird combination I suppose. I am new to the whole straight razor shaving thing, but anxious to learn.

Currently have an inexpensive Maxam Straight razor. I am currently shopping on a popular auction site for a shave ready one, and have a feeler out to a few knifemakers I know to have a custom one made.

I've began to try and hone the one I have, as it is nowhere near shave ready, but I am not skilled enough, nor have the proper tools to properly hone this one to that condition.

I found this site while looking for someone who could hone this razor.

Welcome to the forum...if you're looking for a shave ready blade, check the classifieds out on this site, there are a couple there now that would suit your needs perfectly....

do not buy from the 'popular auction' site. i have never received a shave ready razor from there no matter what the listing said.

i don't think you will have much luck with the Maxam razor. I will go out on a limb and say it was a poor choice for a first razor. I think it is a 'do not buy' razor. I also think you are rushing into honing. wait until you get a few shaves under your belt first.

i would also suggest the classifieds here or a reputable vendor for your first razor. having a shave ready razor is the most important thing for a beginner. It will also let you know the target you need to reach on the hone. You can hone forever if you don't know what shave ready feels like. I would also suggest waiting to see what you like before getting a custom razor. there are many variables to a razor that can change the 'feel' of it.

oh yeah, welcome.

Hello and welcome to SRP! Be sure to get a reputable blade from a reputable vendor, it doesn't matter wether it is new, vintage to custom, just make it tried and true. Don't worry about honing yourself just yet, it will come to you later, right now is the time to learn and enjoy the sport of shaving and then feel free to branch out. For a knife guy you are doing good already, most will want to argue that a knife and razor are the same when it comes to honing. w hat most of these guys don't understand is that razor guys start honing where knife guys generally finish? Once again, welcome to the forum.

I know, need to stay off Ebay!

Also keep in mind that prior to buying again, I did discover this site and am here.

The Maxam Razor has been in my knife collection for years. Bought it cause I didn't have one. I have since decided to try to use it. Upon realizing it wasn't correctly honed for use, I figured what harm could it do to try it myself. If I am to mess up a razor trying to learn then it might as well be a cheap one, right!

Thus comes the internet, where someone can find out how to do anything. Though done correctly may be another issue! Anyway, I was able to partially shave with it, so I must not have been too terribly off.

I do agree that a shave ready razor would be best to begin learning with.

So now here I am looking for a professional to fix this one, or provide advice on where to get another.

I must say that the welcome has been nice.

Originally Posted by technoid

I know, need to stay off Ebay!

Also keep in mind that prior to buying again, I did discover this site and am here.

The Maxam Razor has been in my knife collection for years. Bought it cause I didn't have one. I have since decided to try to use it. Upon realizing it wasn't correctly honed for use, I figured what harm could it do to try it myself. If I am to mess up a razor trying to learn then it might as well be a cheap one, right!

Thus comes the internet, where someone can find out how to do anything. Though done correctly may be another issue! Anyway, I was able to partially shave with it, so I must not have been too terribly off.

I do agree that a shave ready razor would be best to begin learning with.

So now here I am looking for a professional to fix this one, or provide advice on where to get another.

I must say that the welcome has been nice.

Stay off eBay until you learn what to look for - once you understand that, there are lots of great blades on eBay. In addition to that, you'll learn who are reputable sellers, so that if it says it's shave ready, it is, and you'll know you're getting exactly what's described.

In the meantime, take the time to do lot's of reading here, ask questions about any razor's etc., you're unsure of, make use of the PM function, and try to find someone close to you geographically to mentor you.

Cheers!

Welcome to SRP!
Back when Maxam was made in Japan, they made some pretty decent blades. Now they come out of China and basically suck. So if yours says Japan on it, then it might hone up well, if it says China on it, well it will good to practice stropping with.

I'd check out whippeddog.com. He has starter razors that are not always pretty, but are cheap and honed to be truly shave ready. That way if you decide that you don't like the straight you are not out a whole lot of money.

In the mean time, as the others have said, read the Library and ask questions.

Welcome! I've spent my life in computers, communications, and medical devices. I've already sharpened all sorts of tools. Razors are definitely different but good news you know that now.

Next item, be prepared for a very steep learning curve. Don't be shocked if it takes you several bouts of razor burn and three months to get good at this if you shave every day. I shortened the curve in the beginning with tons of SRP reading and keeping a very good shave diary.

Next step that will do you a world of good (once you have a shave ready razor): very carefully map out your beard's growth pattern, I mean as in sit down with a paper and pencil and make a map. Your beard's growth pattern is unique to you. It makes a big difference which direction you move the blade as you make multiple passes to remove your beard.

Lots of people recommend, start with just going 'with the grain' (WTG) on your cheeks only. That is good advice. Chins and necks can be difficult. The direction your whiskers grow can be surprising. Up and down your face, across your face, even in circular patterns. The patterns can change on different regions of your face. You will be very happy to understand your beard pattern.

Read about it on SRP! This site has fantastic information. Oh and yeah, there is LOTS more to learn to get good at this. After the map? Blade angle is most important and that varies too depending on if you are shaving WTG, across the grain (XTG), or against the grain (ATG).

Best to go WTG, XTG, and ATG in order (more than likely) to avoid razor burn and irritation... Oh but wait! Still lots more to learn! It is not ASIC design or OS kernel design; but I promise it will feel like it is for a few weeks.

You are going to want to take this slow...

Good luck and welcome to the sport!

Best,

Ed

Thanks for the words of encouragement, and the advice. It's appreciated. I tend to learn best with experience. Thus once I get my knife back, I'm jumping into this. Till then I am reading through the info section.

Originally Posted by technoid

I am a computer guy who loves this vintage stuff. Somewhat of a weird combination I suppose. I am new to the whole straight razor shaving thing, but anxious to learn.

Currently have an inexpensive Maxam Straight razor. I am currently shopping on a popular auction site for a shave ready one, and have a feeler out to a few knifemakers I know to have a custom one made.

I've began to try and hone the one I have, as it is nowhere near shave ready, but I am not skilled enough, nor have the proper tools to properly hone this one to that condition.

I found this site while looking for someone who could hone this razor.

I write this because I want to see you succeed and Not Fail.

First and Foremost, this age old art takes Patience! If you don't have Patience, then you will fail!

This art has a Huge Learning Curve which takes so much time to Properly Learn.

The last thing you need to be doing is looking at FleaBay for something which you have no idea of what it is.

Honing? As a veteran meat cutter I'll tell you straight up that honing a straight razor and sharpening a knife is as different as black and white/night and day!

I will make you an offer. I'll hone your razor for free. Send me a PM and I'll give you my address and I'll see what I can do with your 'razor'. If you need references they will gladly be provided.

Please give this offer some serious thought.