Thread: New Belgian on the block

hey there,
I registered at Badger&Blade yesterday, and they advised me to check out this forum too...
I'm 29, I've been wetshaving ever since I started shaving. Didn't bother with the electric razor.

I'm mainly into it because of the 'ritual' it is, I find it very relaxing.

On my past holiday in Tuscany(Italy) I stumbled across a straight razor at a knifestand at a market. I had never seen one here in Belgium (probably because I don't know where to look), so I bought one.
It's a Robert Klaas 5/8 one... and since this puchase I've been looking on some more info, specific on straight-shaving.

hoping to learn a lot more overhere...
cheers!
-steven-

so with my razor in hand... I was happy, but then i discovered it's not yet good to go, that it wasn't shave-ready...
So know the first step?
Would I just need a strop for now to get me going, or does it also need honing to begin with?
The razor is brand new, and sharp, but I just want to be sure of an optimal first try...
thanks!

Hi chief, and welcome to the forum!

You will need to have it honed to make it shave-ready, and you're also correct in assuming you'll need a strop.

Browse through the Hones and Strops sections for guidance. Many newbs start by sending their straight to someone who offers honing services. There are other members here based in Europe who can do this for you, perhaps for a small fee. Bruno lives in Belgium, and LX_emergency lives in the Netherlands. They may chime in here.

A strop is essential before every shave so I suggest you research into buying one whilst your razor is out for honing.

You're going to have a great time learning!

Cheers
M.

Welcome Steven,

I totally agree with Mark and I have to say that Bruno is a helpful guy and a truly gentleman. (thanks again for your service Bruno )

For buying strop I would recommend this place.

Good luck,
Viktor

Leuven eh? My favorite shopping city.

There is a knifeshop very close to the grote markt.
You know that big statue of the hot air balloon at the grote markt?
with your back to the markt, walk away from the balloon until you hit the T junction. it is only a 100 meters or so, and you pass by a couple of pubs and a music shop at your right hand side.
At the T junction, it is the first or second house to your left. The shopkeeper is named Sui, as is his shop.

He is a bit strange, but he sells lots of knives, and other things with sharp edges, including straights. Might be worth to check it out.

Anyway, if you want I can sharpen your razor for you. Send me a PM if you are interested.

A shop in Leuven, damn, right under my nose, and I go and buy a knife in Italy

the square you're referring to is the Ladeuzenplein I presume, with the big old University Library... Will check that shop asap, and I'll PM you for the honing, thanks!!

Chief,

Here are some addresses and telephone numbers to get you going. I have visited the shop in Antwerpen and can vouch for the fact that they really know what they are doing. The others, however, are much closer to you and you might want to try them first.


Coutellerie du Roi
Noorddoorgang 27
1000 Brussel

tel: 02 217 54 94


Coutellerie Jamart A.
Gasthuisstraat 7
1000 Brussel

tel: 02 512 49 62


De Koordenwinkel
Mechelse Plein 7
2000 Antwerpen

tel: 03 233 24 42

I have been to the shop in antwerpen as well, and I am less than satisfied.

Their coticules are a mix of good and bad stones. If you know what you are doing and you can choose between different stones you can buy a good one. If you don't know what to look for, then you can end up with a poor performer.
They also don't lap their stones, and they don't tell you that you need to do that.

They give a course on razor sharpening, which I've attended as a newbie.
I learned a lot of things that turned out to be bogus afterwards.

They are convinced that any razor from either Dovo or TI is shaveready out of the box.

I don't say you should not go there, but I just wanted to say that they are not the be-all end-all when it comes to knowledge about razors, shaving and honing.

New Belgian on the block? Dang, I thought someone was auctioning off some coticules! Welcome to the forums!

I was already planning of visiting Maison Jamart "au grand rasoir" in Brussels to look for a strop... but maybe I'll wait just a little longer...and get educated.