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Thread: New to straight shaving

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    Senior Member blabbermouth ejmolitor37's Avatar
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    Have you checked the classifieds? That would be a great place to find a quality vintage razor, shave ready and trusted people selling. If you are not on a budget then srd has lots of great supplies and customer service is great.

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    Jack of all, master of none KenWeir's Avatar
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    +1 SRD if you're looking for new. They hone every razor so they go out with as near a perfect edge as you can get.

    I'd stay away from eBay for a while, the classified here are a much safer bet if you prefer one with a little character. As long as it takes & holds a good edge it doesn't matter how new or old a razor is.

    Edit: I forgot to say welcome to the world of wet shaving! You'll find some very helpful experts here (not me) who can answer just about any question you can think of.
    Last edited by KenWeir; 12-05-2016 at 01:34 AM.
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    Quote Originally Posted by KenWeir View Post
    +1 SRD if you're looking for new. They hone every razor so they go out with as near a perfect edge as you can get.

    I'd stay away from eBay for a while, the classified here are a much safer bet if you prefer one with a little character. As long as it takes & holds a good edge it doesn't matter how new or old a razor is.

    Edit: I forgot to say welcome to the world of wet shaving! You'll find some very helpful experts here (not me) who can answer just about any question you can think of.
    Yes I'll probably go with a SRD dovo. Because ill know its shave ready! Someone else recommended that i get a gold dallor to learn with. Because when learning to hone and strop starting out i will probably goof up a good razor.

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    Jack of all, master of none KenWeir's Avatar
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    Good choice on the srd dovo.

    For stropping, it's often helpful starting out to practice with a butter knife. There are some great videos here and elsewhere that will really help you learn the proper technique.

    Here's my thinking on learning to hone, and others may differ, I wouldn't argue with em.

    First you need to get good at shaving. You need to be able to feel the difference between a good shaving razor and one that maybe needs just a hint of touchup. Not necessarily for that reason, but you need to shave well enough to know when you have a razor sharp enough to shave, and then when you have one that's really dialed in.

    After that ideally the best razor to start on is a good quality new razor because it probably has a good bevel set and won't have any odd wear patterns to deal with, but this is the real world so I'll be realistic
    I would recommend an inexpensive razor, but not a cheap one. I mean a good quality one that doesn't cost a lot. Used razors in the classifieds here often fit the bill. Make sure it odesnt have any extreme spine wear that'll make it difficult to hone. The seller and the experts here can help with that.
    Last edited by KenWeir; 12-05-2016 at 02:01 AM. Reason: Spelling
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    Senior Member Wayne1963's Avatar
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    "As close to a real straight as you can get" is a real straight! Get one from the classifieds here. Buy an inexpensive one that is shave ready.

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    Quote Originally Posted by KenWeir View Post
    Good choice on the srd dovo.

    For stropping, it's often helpful starting out to practice with a butter knife. There are some great videos here and elsewhere that will really help you learn the proper technique.

    Here's my thinking on learning to hone, and others may differ, I wouldn't argue with em.

    First you need to get good at shaving. You need to be able to feel the difference between a good shaving razor and one that maybe needs just a hint of touchup. Not necessarily for that reason, but you need to shave well enough to know when you have a razor sharp enough to shave, and then when you have one that's really dialed in.

    After that ideally the best razor to start on is a good quality new razor because it probably has a good bevel set and won't have any odd wear patterns to deal with, but this is the real world so I'll be realistic
    I would recommend an inexpensive razor, but not a cheap one. I mean a good quality one that doesn't cost a lot. Used razors in the classifieds here often fit the bill. Make sure it odesnt have any extreme spine wear that'll make it difficult to hone. The seller and the experts here can help with that.
    I believe i get one off of lynn at Srd. That way I'll know what a sharp straight feels like. Not trying to change the subject could anybody chime in on Chromoxide powder? Ive heard it can be purchased at a place that sells lapidary supplies. I wander if its .5 micron? I was thinking of getting some and applying it to balsawood. That is when my razor needs a touchup in the future.
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    Jack of all, master of none KenWeir's Avatar
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    You can get that from srd as well. There are many ways to use chrome oxide, but for now it really isn't necessary. All you need for now are a good razor, from srd or from the classifieds here, and a strop.
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  8. #8
    Jack of all, master of none KenWeir's Avatar
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    Sorry for double post, but I wanted to add a few things.

    Odds are fair that you'll end up damaging your first straight razor, either through improper use or poor stropping technique. some of us do, some of us don't. The point is that if you do, then you're certainly not prepared to restore it. And if you don't, then you'll get a few months out of that razor before it needs a touch up. In that time you'll learn a lot more about straight shaving in general and will be better prepared to learn how to bring the edge back.
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