Few questions I should've asked before my purchase

So I already got everything, but after my first shave some questions came up. I'm sort of regretting some of my purchases such as my straight razor - DOVO stainless steel 5/8. I'm now considering getting a new straight razor - Thiers-Issard Sheffield Silver Steel Tortoise 5/8. It's sort of a tough decision for me considering I'm only a rising college sophomore, and just got my first job ever. So far this has costed me over $300.

Another regretful purchase was the Musgo Real pre-shave oil and two tubes of Musgo Real shaving cream. The reason I bought two was I saw it was only 3.7 oz, and I thought I'd finish it pretty quickly. I don't think I put enough water in it since I'm experiencing some razor burn. On top of that I really don't like the "manly" musky smell. It overpowers my prefer fresh scented aftershave of Aqua Velva and my Cool Water cologne. I'll be given the opportunity to sample out soap and would not like to make the mistake of purchasing the wrong scent (I don't know what some of the scents are). Of course unscented is an option, but I kind of like something that has a smell. So suggestions on soaps/creams and pre-shave oil would be very much appreciated. I suppose colognes and aftershave would be nice too. I'm up for experimenting with new things. The cologne I have is $13, but I get a really tiny amount. So something that lasts longer, has the same scent, and isn't too strong of a smell would be great. Same goes with aftershave, although I'm pretty satisfied with what I have.

Another question I have pertains to stropping. I have the Norton Diamond Stropping Paste, and I was wondering if I should apply water to the surface of the strop and paste before I strop or if I should just strop it dry. Another question about stropping is I only bought 1 syringe of 0.5 micron stropping paste and left one side bare. Is it okay for me to strop with the 0.5 micron side and then have a finish strop with the bare side? Or should I still use stropping paste with a revised regimen of one side with 1 micron paste, while the other side has 0.5 micron paste?

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oh one more thing about a future purchase. I'm thinking about getting a scuttle. Is this a good idea? If I got with shaving cream there doesn't seem to be any problems. However if I decide to go with shaving soap, which I am leaning more towards, then I have the issue of finding soap that'll fit a scuttle. I'm completely open to ideas/suggestions.

Berticus,
I'll weigh in on the stropping and razor questions. The Dovo should be a fine razor, stainless or carbon. They will not arive shave ready and need to be properly honed before use. Without this step every razor for the most part will be a let down.

For the Amplex pastes, for our use on leather strops using it dry is best. For it's intended industrial applications though it is often used as a wet lapping medium but on hard surfaces.

You do not want paste on your daily stropping surface. They are only for occasional use as a razor dulls. Top use it every time will just lead to an over honed edge and poor shaves.

Tony

Thanks for the tip Tony about the razor and stropping. I have answered all my other questions myself after doing a lot of purusing around classicshaving.com and searching the net.

You can get really good shavers shave ready for about 30.00 on ebay. I have used altima55. I do not think spending a lot of money is the answer. I use Walgreens shaving soap, Walgreen alqua velva clone after shave, any conditioner my daughter left in the shover, a barber hone, then Miller's pasted strop, then his 3 inch strop. Shaves good enough for me.

Jerry

Welcome to the group. Lot's of knowledge here. Whatever you do, hang in there. It'll get better, if you give it time and effort. Best advice I can give you is to be patient, both about your performance and in purchases.

Don't worry too much about the scent of soaps. Once you rinse it off it pretty much goes away (either that or I'm just desensitized to it at that point, LOL)

For a soap, I heartily recommend the performance and scent of Muehle Shaving Soap Aloe Vera - Oakmoss with Mint found near the bottom of this page: http://www.opulenceofsouthernpines.c...g%20Essentials

Hi,
A few recommendations/observations regarding your questions:
-strop dry. Also, paste isn't for everyday use. Linen and then leather will suffice for many shaves without a touchup on the hone and paste.
-I wouldn't recommend pre-shave oil. If you read some of the threads here, it seems about 50/50 on whether its of value or not. I tried it and didn't notice a difference on the shave. However, it was harder to stretch the skin (it was slippery!) and I think it was harder to clean my brush afterwards.
-Your Dovo 5/8 should be wonderful. I have used two of them. I use the Dovo Special 5/8 now (tortoise), I believe its Carbon, and it is a wonderful razor. Your problems are NOT with the razor, but with the sharpness of the edge.
-I absolutely love Clubman Pinaud and Dominican Bay Rum as aftershaves. They smell great, last a while, are not overpowering, and soothe the skin.
Good luck and be patient!
R

My recommendation would be to send your razor off to get professionally honed if you have not done so already. New Dovo razors are not shave ready and you will have no chance of getting a close and comfortable shave unless it is honed properly. You can pm Lynn (adjustme69) about his honing service and he can set you up.

For Soaps and creams I want to suggest you pm Colleen AKA SRP member churley about her catalog. Best stuff right there.

X

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Originally Posted by xman

For Soaps and creams I want to suggest you pm Colleen AKA SRP member churley about her catalog. Best stuff right there.

X

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I concur. Of course that thread about her soaps that has about a gazillion positives and has been viewed by the entire planet at least a dozen times MIGHT be wrong, LOL.

Hyperbole? ME???? Nah

Ah thanks for the info. I was going to go with Taylor of Old Bond Street (Mr. Taylor). I'll check out Colleen's line. I realized the honing station that comes with the Norton isn't that great, so I'm gonna have to build my own. I have a design in mind, and now it's just a matter of materials (suggestions?).

I'm a bit weary of ebay... Especially used items on this particular subject. I really don't feel comfortable with using a razor, strop, or hone that someone else has used. It's probably safe, but that's not why I feel uncomfortable about it. It's simply because it went to someone else's face. For some odd reason, that sends shivers down my spine.

As for having someone else sharpen it. On a lot of matters I tend to lean towards the DIY. For me, honing is one of those DIY sort of things. I'm sure Lynn makes a very nice, sharp edge (I've seen tons of recommendations and comments about Lynn sharpening razors), but I'm gonna just jump right into the honing. That's just how I tend to do things, I'm weird like that. I wrap my brain around the subject as much as possible, and go for it. Typically everything comes out okay. Hopefully nothing will change in this area for me.

Thanks again for all the advice!

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Oh, I'm also sort of curious. What does bay rum smell like? Does it have a really musky smell?

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Oh, I'll share my plans for my honing station. The securing mechanism is going to be just using friction. So I'm gonna have to make it somewhat heavy and increase coefficient of friction at the base (line it with rubber). I decided it's going to be able to sort of feed itself water. At first I was going to install a pump so it could go directly to the stone, but I decided that would be too costly. So instead the inside will just slope to a spout where I can use a cup or something and transport the water back up. I'll run through some calculations tomorrow to help determine what materials to use. Hopefully I'll be allowed to take some things from the mechanics lab to build this for free.

I think for your first Razor you should have professionally hone first so you have a feel how it's suppose to be hone. You can buy a cheap razor online like Ebay and just practice with that. I mean thats what I am doing and I can shaving an practice honing at the same time and I didn't even spend that much. Just a Suggestion

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Originally Posted by Berticus

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Oh, I'll share my plans for my honing station. The securing mechanism is going to be just using friction. So I'm gonna have to make it somewhat heavy and increase coefficient of friction at the base (line it with rubber). I decided it's going to be able to sort of feed itself water. At first I was going to install a pump so it could go directly to the stone, but I decided that would be too costly. So instead the inside will just slope to a spout where I can use a cup or something and transport the water back up. I'll run through some calculations tomorrow to help determine what materials to use. Hopefully I'll be allowed to take some things from the mechanics lab to build this for free.

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Hones do not need a continuous flow of water to cut effectively. Depending on the type of hone you use the hone will either need to be submerged in water before use or have water spritzed on the top of the stone. If I were you I would send one razor to get professionally honed so you know what a sharp razor feels like and have a standard to shoot for with your own honing. You can purchase another razor to learn to hone on while you shave with your shave ready razor. Honing is definately not rocket science but it does take a while to develop the correct technique and to be able to properly assess the blade sharpness. If you do not have a standard to shoot for you are making your learning curve A LOT steeper. If you want to jump right into honing make sure to read everything you can and be prepared to be frusterated for a while.

All right, I suppose I'll send my DOVO to Lynn for a good sharpening. Thanks for the advice.

I would highly recommend that course of action. Once you have a Lynn honed razor you have a benchmark for what a properly honed (and sharp!) razor is.

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Originally Posted by Berticus

All right, I suppose I'll send my DOVO to Lynn for a good sharpening. Thanks for the advice.

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That is a very smart move. I don't think that there is anyone who regrets taking this course of action and I am sure that you will thank us after you get your sharp razor back. I definately do encourage you to learn to hone your own razors because it is an extremely rewarding experience, but only after you learn what a sharp razor feels like to shave with.

For the cheap razor, would it be okay to get the "bad brands" as outlined in the critical info thread? Or should I still go for a suggested brand so it more closely resembles what I'd be honing?

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Originally Posted by Berticus

For the cheap razor, would it be okay to get the "bad brands" as outlined in the critical info thread? Or should I still go for a suggested brand so it more closely resembles what I'd be honing?

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Get one of the recommended razors.


The bad brands are so BAD they generally are unsharpenable even by an experienced honemeister. using that to learn with will only lead to frustration.

When looking for a learning razor you can sometimes get a better deal if you are willing to accept ugly old looking scales with a decent blade. My second best shaver is still wearing a pair of ancient discolored scale with a crack in them but I got as part of a three razor package for $15. It was also the second razor I ever sharpened on my own.

I have a $50 Kamisori letter opener I'll let you have real cheap, but you have to promise to never try to do anything with it other than open letters...

LOL.

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Originally Posted by Berticus

For the cheap razor, would it be okay to get the "bad brands" as outlined in the critical info thread? Or should I still go for a suggested brand so it more closely resembles what I'd be honing?

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Purchase a few Wipienica razors that Wojtec is selling in the auction forum (there should be a link to his thread). These NOS razors are of very high quality and they are cheaper than most of the "bad brands" in the critical info thread. They take great edges very easily and you won't have to fight through oxidized steel like you would if you purchased an antique razor on ebay.

Berticus,

I, too, am one who would like to be able to do things such as sharpening for himself. I do it for other edged tools, why not a razor? I am learning the finesse required for razor honing is altogether different than sharpening, for instance, a pocket knife and I can get that knife sharp enough to easily take hair off my forearm. Having a reference is nice. While it may not answer questions, it does provide a model. (And think where Hugh Hefner would be were it not for models)

I do shave with razors I have honed myself, but am not yet satisfied they are the ne plus ultras they should be. Maybe soon good, but not yet swell.

good luck, Bruce

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Originally Posted by heavydutysg135

Purchase a few Wipienica razors that Wojtec is selling in the auction forum (there should be a link to his thread). These NOS razors are of very high quality and they are cheaper than most of the "bad brands" in the critical info thread. They take great edges very easily and you won't have to fight through oxidized steel like you would if you purchased an antique razor on ebay.

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I second that motion here is the link http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZopen_razorQQhtZ-1

this are very cheap I just bought 2 of them last night enjoy

Yeah, I just purchased the Wapienica 5/8 NOS yesterday.