Thread: Greetings from Oregon

I've long suspected there were a number of straight shavers in Oregon that haven't surfaced as yet. If a few more show up we should have a mini-meet and get to know each other.

King-D, you show a 2008 join date. Glad you posted. If there is anything I can do to help you transition to a straight just let me know. I've mentored a number of people into the joys of wet shaving.

Originally Posted by King-D

Hey evallded, I bet I'm only a couple of miles from you (Park view blvd & 174th). After 9 years of DE shaving, I finally took the next logical step: a straight. It'll arrive soon. Next, I'll aspire to shave with a sharp piece of flint.
Happy shaving!

Originally Posted by KenWeir

Interesting bit: an outfit once made surgical scalpels from small bits of knapped obsidian. Cuts from these blades tended to heal significantly faster than cuts made with a conventional steel scalpel. It was a sharper, smoother edge than one made by abrasion on a steel instrument and thus caused less tearing of the tissue. Cleaner cut = faster healing with less scar tissue.

Here's a little tutorial for you:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWSTE6WLB0Y

Dear lord. That video was a little uncomfortable to watch.

There's extremists every where you look. I believe there are some videos of people shaving with an axe. Get a life is one expression that comes to mind when I see videos like that.

Originally Posted by King-D

Dear lord. That video was a little uncomfortable to watch.

Originally Posted by Razorfeld

There's extremists every where you look. I believe there are some videos of people shaving with an axe. Get a life is one expression that comes to mind when I see videos like that.

Oh, I don't know, I like to think as Capt Kirk once said that there are always 'possibilities'. At least those that watched learned how the Native Americans figured out how to get the slivers and chunks for knives, arrowheads etc.

I like to learn something everyday, even if those lessons aren't something that I'd likely be using.

Learning to hone is also something that interests me. However, I am still learning to put a great edge on my kitchen cutlery which is a constant reminder of how much practice I still need.

As far as contracting out someone for honing, I am not quite there yet. I am still shopping for that perfect for me blade. But I am glad to hear that we have so many options immediately available to us.

Razorfeld, yes you are quite close indeed. I drive right past you everyday. I would love to pick your brain about a few things honing related. Might as well start now with the learning curve, on a practice blade at least. And get the skill down.

OMG!

Watching him carelessly drag that blade forward while he shaved just made me cringe. Overall though, I had no idea these were that sharp. That is quite impressive!

Originally Posted by evallded

Learning to hone is also something that interests me. However, I am still learning to put a great edge on my kitchen cutlery which is a constant reminder of how much practice I still need.

As far as contracting out someone for honing, I am not quite there yet. I am still shopping for that perfect for me blade. But I am glad to hear that we have so many options immediately available to us.

Razorfeld, yes you are quite close indeed. I drive right past you everyday. I would love to pick your brain about a few things honing related. Might as well start now with the learning curve, on a practice blade at least. And get the skill down.

Ok, here I go once again As a former meat cutter I'll tell you the straight up Truth! That truth is that Sharpening a Knife and Honing a Razor is as different as Black and White/Night and Day!

If your buddy isn't doing his own honing and the razors need work--PLEASE, PLEASE send them out to someone who knows what they are doing.

For one thing, once the time comes (I recommend waiting at least a year after starting/just ask Razorfeld) then you will have something to compare your edges to.

In my opinion, the worst thing someone new to this age old art can 'try' to do is to try to learn Everything at Once. They need to learn how to 'Properly' lather, 'Properly' Strop and of course 'Properly' Shave.

If pinklather will join in here, he'll tell you the exact same thing as he speaks from experience. (how do you think he came up with his screen name)? Want a 'hint' what do you think you get when you mix blood with white lather.

As I always like to say, it's a long strange trip but it's well worth the journey!

The sharpest substance known to science.

Originally Posted by cudarunner

Ok, here I go once again As a former meat cutter I'll tell you the straight up Truth! That truth is that Sharpening a Knife and Honing a Razor is as different as Black and White/Night and Day!

If your buddy isn't doing his own honing and the razors need work--PLEASE, PLEASE send them out to someone who knows what they are doing.

For one thing, once the time comes (I recommend waiting at least a year after starting/just ask Razorfeld) then you will have something to compare your edges to.

In my opinion, the worst thing someone new to this age old art can 'try' to do is to try to learn Everything at Once. They need to learn how to 'Properly' lather, 'Properly' Strop and of course 'Properly' Shave.

If pinklather will join in here, he'll tell you the exact same thing as he speaks from experience. (how do you think he came up with his screen name)? Want a 'hint' what do you think you get when you mix blood with white lather.

As I always like to say, it's a long strange trip but it's well worth the journey!

I hear you there, however it is something I would rather learn right away. As mentioned it will be on a practice blade. Probably just pick up a used vintage one on the bay. I dont shave a lot, I am one of them bearded fellows. And I don't doubt 1 but that they are day and night, hence I dont shave with my kitchen knives haha.