Thread: Recommendations

I am new to straight razors. I have a collection of DE razors and shavettes and now am transitioning into SR. I just recently got a great deal on a 5/8 TI extra hollow straight razor with snakewood scales and a fancy Bison made cordovan strop from a guy who used the equipped to for a week and realized he no longer wanted it.

I am excited about my straight razor and want to know if I need to buy anything else to maintain the razor at this time. It's shave ready. The more I read up on maintaining straight razors the more overwhelmed I feel. I was considering buying a balsa board and paste. Do I need that now? What else do I need to be purchasing? What about whetstones? I just started and I'm hooked.

I'm open to any feedback you can provide?

First off welcome to the wonderful world of straight razors. Now down to business. If the person had the razor for a week and your new to straights are you sure that it's really shave ready. If a razor is stropped wrong it can feel sharp but not enough to shave with. If it were me and new to straight razors i would send it to a pro for re honing and may be a soak in disinfecting something or other. Since you've been using the shavettes then your practically there. Watch the videos on stropping for sure and there are videos on maintaining straight razors. Just my thoughts on the subject.

Welcome aboard Aaron,,,,

Start your journey in our Library,,, don't try to learn it all in a day. Most all of your questions will be answered there, with illustrations.

Straight Razor Place Library:Books/Beginners Guide - Straight Razor Place Library

Thanks guys. I have one other question. Should I purchase a cheaper strop for now and save my fancy strop for when I have mastered stropping. I am worried I will nick or cut the strop.

That's your call,,, my first strop was a nice one, beautiful it was,,, then it transformed into the Exotic Leopard Strop,,,,,a few years later I got a Neil Miller Strop. Right before I reach for the Neil Miller strop, I glance over at the Exotic Leopard Strop.

I have yet to mark the Neil Miller. Sometimes I still use the Exotic Leopard Strop, it works great still.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/strop...ard-strop.html

Welcome! It takes awhile to get used to everything. Just try to whittle down a little bit at a time. Start with shaving tips/videos, then progress onto the other stuff. All in all, a razor and strop is all you need. Though if you become like one of us, it won't be all you want. Just take your time and you'll get there.

Yes read a lot more before you start, there is plenty to soak in, that way you have something to do while your razor is out being honed, it may need it.
Remember this guy gave it up,more than likely it wasn't shaving well for him, either from his stropping or technique or not shave ready when he bought it.
Then start practicing stropping, many ways are suggested In The library and from previous posts.
As to a board strop , it may extend your time between the hones, but hones are the last thing you need right now. Now it's cheaper to send out and have a razor you can learn properly on.
So be patient, read, and above all head the advise given here, these guys have been out here awhile doing it this way, and put your location in your profile, you might have a mentor close, we're not a secret society most of us will meet up and help you face to face which will really shorten the learning curve. Tc

Hi and welcome. A cheaper strop isn't a bad idea or be prepared to live with nicking the nice strop. Start with stropping and shaving. No need for anything else yet. This is enough for the moment. In a month or two after plenty of reading you could look at ways to refresh the edge.

A local mentor or members could help with all your questions and keep you on the right path. Good luck and any questions feel free to ask

Thank you everyone for your advise. I ended up buying an inexpensive strop ("the filly" strop from Ruprazor) and will set aside my expensive strop for now.

I plan to take your other advise and continue to read as much as possible before I make anymore purchases. As stated earlier, I hooked!!! I'm also really impressed with the support I have received from everyone.

Cheers

I bought that one as well, I had some issues with cupping and getting the pressure right. gssixgun does a good video on a handle-less strop in the "stroptober" video