Thread: Hello and thanks

I have been a member for a while but I think this might be my first post. I am suffering my annual "I am going to learn to straight razor shave" obsession and have been reading the forum once again. One of my problems in the past has been the fact that I have three straight razors that I would like to hone and use. In fact I have a lot of junk I would like to use! 1k, 6k, 10k water stones, the aforementioned razors, Herb's yellowstone stropping compound and an old paddle strop. While I know that in theory I have what I need to shave, I also know from experience that it just does not work out that way.

I am struggling with the knowledge that I need to spend the money on a shave ready razor and a good strop.

Anyway, thanks for hosting such a great site, and I will go back to reading!

Howdy and welcome to SRP!

If I were you..... I would send your razors to a pro and have them honed up properly. By doing this you will know what an actual shave ready razor feels like when you shave. It will give you something to base your future honing on. Just a word of advice. If the equipment you have is in good condition use them. In time purchase a better ones if needed. No need to spend lots of money at first. Use what you have and gradually buy what you need.

Good luck!

Doesn't cost that much to have a pro hone up one or two of your razors, can then use that as a benchmark for your own honing attempts. That is how I am still improving my honing.

Bottom to top: George Wostenholm & Son, Habeeb & Joseph, Gold Medal Razor Co. Bowling Green, MO

I like your idea guys. Having something to compare to would make honing better. At least I would know when I was done!

Where are you located? There may be a member here that lives near you and can help with honing and putting scales on the one blade.

Originally Posted by bouschie

Where are you located? There may be a member here that lives near you and can help with honing and putting scales on the one blade.

Birmingham, AL.

Hi and welcome. The black scaled and the free blade look to be the best bet. The other has a lot of wear and uneven honing. Maybe swap the scales onto the free blade.

I would also be cautious about the strop as it looks in poor condition and contaminated. Good luck and any questions feel free to ask

Originally Posted by eddy79

Hi and welcome. The black scaled and the free blade look to be the best bet. The other has a lot of wear and uneven honing. Maybe swap the scales onto the free blade.

I would also be cautious about the strop as it looks in poor condition and contaminated. Good luck and any questions feel free to ask

Thanks Ed. The paste on the strop is Herb's Yellowstone. I agree that the strop is not right for my needs. I am headed to Tandy's this week to find a scrap to make a proper strop. What is your opinion on treating the strop? (oil, paste, cutting medium or nothing) And, do you use a cloth strop as well?

Thanks in advance,

Rick

FYI to those who suggested a professionally sharpened razor, I ordered a Boker from whipped dog this morning. Buying a good razor that is "shave ready" from him was only about double the cost of having my questionable quality razors sharpened.