Thread: Three things I'd do for sure, if I were a new SR shaver again -- FWIW

Originally Posted by Phrank

All excellent advice.

The only thing I'd add would be you can decide to learn to hone and shave at the same time, just separate your razor's that you're learning to shave on from the razor's that you're learning to hone, that way you can always compare the two and, thinking of an old thread, not destroy your brand new, $500.00 limited edition Thiers-Issard straight razor.

I think I remember that one, if I recall it was Mr "I am going to put all this stuff in a cupboard and let it rot rather than sell it on for a loss".

Regarding tc's post I have a full range of Hones up to 12k, and i only really use the finishers, i do intend to put some time into the earlier stages but i have no need to, and even less time than need, i bought razors that were shave ready so I only have to refresh the edge, i used one razor pretty much exclusively for 9 months or more and never went below 8K.
I am not sure that the financials work out long term, a honing (with postage) is $30+ and a set of Hones (chosera 1k, naniwa 3,8,10+12 k) was about $400 so 13 honings works out about the same. I would suggest learning to finish hone would be worthwhile.

Originally Posted by edhewitt

I am not sure that the financials work out long term, a honing (with postage) is $30+ and a set of Hones (chosera 1k, naniwa 3,8,10+12 k) was about $400 so 13 honings works out about the same. I would suggest learning to finish hone would be worthwhile.

This is what I keep coming back to when I look at purchasing a set of stones. If I just keep the edge fresh with a pasted strop and a finishing stone, it could be well over a decade before I recoup the investment. Aside from just the pleasure of knowing I'm completely independent, I'm not sure it's worth it

Originally Posted by Esquire

This is what I keep coming back to when I look at purchasing a set of stones. If I just keep the edge fresh with a pasted strop and a finishing stone, it could be well over a decade before I recoup the investment. Aside from just the pleasure of knowing I'm completely independent, I'm not sure it's worth it

Yes, it also depends on how many razors you are buying, some fellers buy them by the dozen it seems so they would recoup the investment pretty quickly.
I thing investing in a finisher is worthwhile though at under a hundred bucks for a naniwa that will last as long as you do probably i dont think its too bad.

Originally Posted by Esquire

This is what I keep coming back to when I look at purchasing a set of stones. If I just keep the edge fresh with a pasted strop and a finishing stone, it could be well over a decade before I recoup the investment. Aside from just the pleasure of knowing I'm completely independent, I'm not sure it's worth it

Indeed. I get my sole razor honed once or twice a year for around $35 + postagex2 = $50 ish. I travel so much I really don't have the room for a collection of stones. As they get honed on a room full of stones that you'd have to sell a kidney on the black market to afford I figure its kinda a bargain paying $150 a fort-year. I guess a finishing stone would only be be $100 or so so it would be worth it within a year or two… but in the meantime I can use that money to buy another soap I don't need :-D

Only advice I would add is stay away from eBay, amazon etc. You don't know what to look for yet. Leave it a while and do some research first.

One thing I wish I had when I started off was a mentor, someone who can physically inspect my razor's shave-readiness as well as my stropping and shaving technique. This would have greatly reduced the learning curve.

+1 on the hone posts that suggest waiting a while. I have them, because I got a 12k to do touch up, have lapped them, but never used them. You can wait a long time before you hit a financial break-even point, or get the edge quality of a pro honer.

Unless you're a real hobbyist and young, you might never need them (financially)

I'd reinforce the importance of doing your research FIRST!

I was lucky enough (and OCD enough) that I discovered SRP before I'd even started window shopping. I sincerely believe that all the reading and videos I watched saved me a lot of time, frustration, money, and blood.

Originally Posted by Dzanda

I'd reinforce the importance of doing your research FIRST!

I was lucky enough (and OCD enough) that I discovered SRP before I'd even started window shopping. I sincerely believe that all the reading and videos I watched saved me a lot of time, frustration, money, and blood.

Exact same for me, spent 6 months reading various sites, watching video's, until I stumbled on SRP member Jack's narrative of his first 100 shaves, purchases, honing, I found it fascinating and was hooked then...after another 3 months, came home from the in-laws, and hit the purchase button for the straight razor starter kit from The Classic Edge here in Ontario, my first razor, 5/8 Dovo Best Quality 1/2 hollow.

Originally Posted by OCDshaver

I agree. It takes 20-30 minutes to shave. That leaves 23.5 hours of the day to pursue some other angle of this hobby if you like. If you're learning to hone on something expendable and not using it as your primary razor, I see no reason why you need to wait.

Do you think that's about average, 30 minutes to shave?