Thread: Anniversary diary

Thanks for taking the time! Good read.

I know that when I started, I was a little obsessed as to how long it would take for me to not only learn how to use the straight, but how to maintain the straight. Worse yet, I kept jumping to my DE every time I got flustered with my straights slowing the process considerably. Eventually I vowed that for a year if I was going to shave, good, bad or ugly, it would be at the end of a straight.

That year strictly using a straight - really was magic. Shaving with straights is completely natural now. I think I'll always be learning when it comes to honing though.


Speaking of honing, I wanted to do do the simplistic thing too. Me my coti and my blade were going to take over the world lol. But unlike you, I did end up buying some vintage blades, and setting the bevel with my coti proved next to impossible. Moreover, if I breadknifed my new blades, I couldn't set the bevel on them via the coti either. So I embraced synthetic stones as well. That might not be the case today, but that ship has sailed for me so I'll never know lol. I have a nice little collection of stones now. I flirt with the idea of buying more, but why?

Anyway - again - thanks!

Right. The Shapton Glass series provides a completely reliable foundation. The BBW could serve as a mid/range, but I have finished off it. Everything else is about finishing and polishing. Got my eye on other finishing stones too. But current production options are minimal.

I may yet buy some vintage, but I want to get 4 more new/nos to complete a 14 day rotation. There is only so much money. When I think about spending 400-500 on a vintage, I think, why? Would like a Mastro Livi, but that will come later when I can explain to my wife why I want to spend a 1000 on a straight razor. I want at least one Revisor, and I like some of their rarities too. I saw a beautiful Wade & Butcher on eBay few months ago. Went for well over 500. So for now, no vintage, only new/nos.

I've notice too, my more recent purchases are getting progressively more expensive. My last Wacker was over 500. That's okay because I know what I'm getting, and I trust my vendors.

Originally Posted by Longhaultanker

Right. The Shapton Glass series provides a completely reliable foundation. The BBW could serve as a mid/range, but I have finished off it. Everything else is about finishing and polishing. Got my eye on other finishing stone too. But current production options are minimal.

I may yet buy some vintage, but I want to get 4 more new/nos to complete a 14 day rotation. There is only so much money. When I think about spending 400-500 on a vintage, I think, why? Would like a Mastro Livi, but that will come later when I can explain to my wife why I want to spend a 1000 on a straight razor. I want at least one Revisor, and I like some of their rarities too. I saw a beautiful Wade & Butcher on eBay few months ago. Went for well over 500. So for now, no vintage, only new/nos.

I completely understand! I was really lucky in that I really rather like 4/8's. 4/8's are a lot cheaper than their larger brethren, so I could afford to indulge.

Nice read my friend. It brings back my first time I started using a straight. It brings back old memories from when it all started for me.
Thank you very much!

Ohhh...

That's what NOS stands for: "New Old Stock"...
I've been scratching my head wondering about that!

Originally Posted by howdydave

Ohhh...

That's what NOS stands for: "New Old Stock"...
I've been scratching my head wondering about that!

Acronyms and Abbreviations - Straight Razor Place Library

I still check this, I'm terrible with acronyms.

Very nice write up! Thanks for taking the time to articulate this. I agree "more or less" with everything here! Some great advice IMO.

Like the others, I appreciate your efforts, you have some nice Razors and stones and have done well in 1 year with your learning it appears.

That is an absolutely fantastic write-up. If I were to sit down and compose something I would only hope that it ended up being half as good as your piece. You absolutely covered all the bases.
Also, that's a mighty fine collection of razors and stones!
Congratulations on your first year!!

Pete <:-}

Great info, thanks. Still doing my research.