Thread: First Straight Shaves

Originally Posted by Uzi

... The big rule with the razor is if you're doing something that hurts -- stop.

I couldn't help myself, this reminds me of a REALLY old joke...
Patient: "Doc, it hurts when I do this... *touches extremity*"
Doctor: "Well, then don't do that!"


Sorry... I'll go back to sanding my razor now.

Here is my attempt at a photo of the Red Imp:




There's no rust near the edge/bevel or chips/cracks, so I am hoping that it can be made shave ready. All of the funk is on the upper half of the blade. The other side is better than this one. I hit it with some Maas metal polish and it is already looking better. I used Scrubbing Bubbles and a fine wire brush on the tang. Can a fine grit sandpaper be used on the deeper rust spots on the blade?

Crawler, I am moderate with my ADs. I have collected a few Gillette vintage DE's - however, there was an Aristocrat on a B/S/T last week that I could not resist. I use 3 synthetic brushes which are fairly inexpensive including a Chubby 2 which was a Black Friday deal - however, I did feel compelled to sign up for a Shavemac on a group buy recently and I have a Semogue boar brush I have been intending to sell. I have 8 quality soaps, but I am resolute in not purchasing more until I have finished one or two. I can foresee some straight razor purchases in the future, but I am waiting to gain some expertise in my shaving ability and in straight razor knowledge. The Classifieds here are extremely enticing. I sure do enjoy playing around with my shaving stuff:

Originally Posted by TomSlick

Crawler, I am moderate with my ADs. I have collected a few Gillette vintage DE's - however, there was an Aristocrat on a B/S/T last week that I could not resist. I use 3 synthetic brushes which are fairly inexpensive including a Chubby 2 which was a Black Friday deal - however, I did feel compelled to sign up for a Shavemac on a group buy recently and I have a Semogue boar brush I have been intending to sell. I have 8 quality soaps, but I am resolute in not purchasing more until I have finished one or two. I can foresee some straight razor purchases in the future, but I am waiting to gain some expertise in my shaving ability and in straight razor knowledge. The Classifieds here are extremely enticing. I sure do enjoy playing around with my shaving stuff:

That pic is ready for the "Show us your Shave Den" thread!

You could go about the rust on the Red Imp a few different ways. 1k or 2k sand paper, or extra fine steel wool (0000 grade) are fairly gentle, as far as hard abrasives go. They should do a decent job of getting rid of the red/brown rust without making it look like a rock tumbler & a dremmel got in a fight with the razor caught in the cross-fire. They won't do much to remove pitting that may be hiding under the rust, however. . Pitting isn't a razor death sentence, though. As long as it is tended to & not allowed to spread or grow in any way, it is just a blemish, like a pimple.

On a rust related note: preventing rust is the reason I wipe my blade on the corner of a large, dry sponge between passes. Only a light rinsing at the end, followed by the usual drying methods. Btw, the sponge also nearly eliminates the risk of "clinking" my SR, chipping it.

I hope this was helpful!