Thread: Newbie from South Africa

Have been reading and learning the past few days. This is all new to me. I got the razor in the pic, it was advertised as old but in new condition by an elderly gentleman. I bought it unseen and am yet to recieve it. It was very cheap. What would your guess be as to its size? That is the only kit I have acquired, apart from some stones that might be usable.

I guess I will mostly have to go alone here, and make the kit I do not have, or possibly import. Looking forward to this, I think im going to enjoy the ride. Hope I dont cut off my nose or something. You will see me around.

Welcome Hagar to the SRP, it looks like a vintage Bismarck Solingen full hollow 6/8 you probably couldn't have picked up a better razor as a newbie to straight razor shaving, please heed my words of advice send your razor out and get it professionally honed don't think you can get those stones out that came with the razor you may end up destroying a lovely vintage razor.

Welcome to SRP Hager: You picked a very nice razor to begin your journey. Send it out and have it professionally honed. This will give you a benchmark for the new razors you will acquire.

Welcome to the SRP Forum!

Nice razor. Plus one on getting it honed by a professional!

Here is a link to the SRP Beginners Guide to Straight Shaving. This will help you with the things you need to know before you begin your experience with a straight razor.

Here is a link to the SRP Library. This will help you with pretty much anything relating to shaving with a straight razor.

Here is a link that will help you find other SRP members in your area, just insert your location and hit search now. Note that the user name listing in red is a mentor, if you should need any personal help.

Welcome to the world of straight razor shaving!

Welcome, you scored big time with that razor, and it will serve you well if you serve it well. Good luck!

Jamie, thank you.

I assure you I will not start grinding away No doubt your advice to send the razor for professional honing is correct. However I am almost sure there are no recognised honers in South Africa to send the razor to. I would also not intrust it to a barber easily. So in the end I may have to do it myself. I have a very fine natural stone that will need to be lapped before it may perhaps be suitable. I am in no haste. Strop is the thing to think of next it seems.

Thank you all for the welcome and kind advice, will take it to heart.

Hi and welcome aboard. There are a few guys from your neck of the woods. I would contact any you can find and see if they can provide any information about local sources. That is a great razor and will serve you well for life. Good luck and any questions feel free to ask

Welcome to the forum. You have landed a very good first razor in what looks like excellent condition to boot, congratulations. As mentioned by other posters there are members from SA on here that may be able to help you with getting it honed. Oth you could try a test shave with it to see how good the edge already is or isn't. Some of the vintage razors came with a good edge from the factory. Here is a place for hones in SA Zulu Grey Hone Company | Natural African Razor Hones . The owner is a member here. You may want to contact him about where to get honing done in SA.

Bob

Perfect razor to start with. It's beautiful! +1 on what hagar said though, you will want this professionally honed first so that you can feel what it's supposed to feel like at it's best. Remember to that when you get it back from whoever hones it, I recommend Lynn Abrams, DO NOT strop it. Just shave with it right out of the package. Stropping takes practice and you can risk rounding the edge that has just been perfectly honed. (A mistake I made as a new wet shaver)