Thread: Newbie with questions

First off, Howdy. I've just recently inherited a Simmons HDWE Barber's Pet that belonged to my great grandfather. While I was doing some research as to the value of the razor my interest in learning how to use it sparked. My main question to start is where and how do I get started? I know the razor is nowhere near shave ready since it's been sitting in a drawer for over 40 yrs. I might be able to get my hands on my great grandfather's old strop, but I don't have a stone to sharpen the razor. My budget is extremely tight...the wife and I just had our first, a boy!! I would love to learn how to use this razor and pass it on to my son eventually...keep it in the family. Any help anyone could give me would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Post your location in your user profile so its visible. I might offer honing, but for all I know your in Antartica.

Get the razor honed and read up.

Welcome to the forum.

Check out the 1961 Barbers Manual, in the Library Archives, my personal favorite read.

Welcome! It's nice to see your keeping the razor in the family!

I would suggest sending the razor to someone here to be professionally honed, before shaving or trying to hone it yourself. That way, you'll have a guide as to what "shave-ready" truly is.

If you can't locate the other strop, Tony Miller at The Well Shaved Gentleman has a great beginner strop for an economical price, and even his nice Red Latigo strops aren't expensive.

Good Luck!

~Chris

EDIT: Congrats on your baby boy!

you have come to the right place there is more knowledge here than you could ever read, and some of the nicest folks you'll ever meet. all you have to do is ask and you will be inundated with advise and help. welcome to the straight side of life.

Unless it has been mis-used then the razor will not have lost it's edge from sitting in a drawer. It it was sharp when it was put away it won't need honing now, (although it will probably need stropping). I suggest that you try the hanging hair test on it before sending it out to be honed.

welcome welcome and congrats on the new addition to the family. He will enjoy using that razor too!!!

I'd send out the razor to be honed and then you're in business!!!

Thanks to everyone for their advice thus far. The edge is sharp but not shave sharp. There are no nicks or chips to the blade, but there is a little rust. I'm pretty confident that I can get the rust off, I've done it before on some old knives that I've picked up here and there. I was talking with my father last night and found out that he might have my great grandfather's sharpening stones. He has the strop, but he's not sure of it's condition. I also found out that my great grandfather was the man that all the other farmers in the area would take their razors to to be sharpened. My father remembers watching him when he was little, and the razor wasn't sharp until it would split a hair. I'm hoping that the sharpening skill is genetic, and I've managed to get it. Anyway, thanks for the great advice.

Cool story, I imagine you won't have any trouble.

One might just add this advice that may live on through many situations, not just your heirlooms. . .



TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS

. . . chances are they're probably pretty good when it comes to razors and it's just good policy

And just in case you want to gander, try stropping on a leather belt that doesn't have threads and shaving. A razor that was in use is usually awfully close and at very least will give you a good idea of what you have.

But a honemeister here won't do you wrong, either.