Thread: Yet another New Guy

Greetings all,
My name is Jim and I too am new to the forum and to Straight Razor Shaving. I have been shaving for for about 28 years, mainly wet shaving but I did start with electrics and then switched to a safety razor in 1985, my Dad used one. I tried his and then got one for myself. In the late 80's I went to the dark side and started using the mass marketed crap and associated blades. I am sick and tired of paying for a bad shave so I want to learn how to use a straight razor.

I already use a brush, mug and soap that I purchased from my barber. I also like to use Pinaud products after shaving. I think I have already made a few mistakes starting out. I bid on and won a Wade and Butcher straight razor Item 310038130709.
Here is the description of the razor.

UP FOR SALE IS A NICE OLD STRAIGHT RAZOR. AS YOU CAN SEE ITS MARKED ON THE SHAFT. ITS ALSO MARKED ON THE BLADE WADE & BUTCHERS CHOICE. IT IS IN EX. COND. THE BLADE HAS NO CRACKS, CHIPS, BREAKS OR RUST CLEAN AND SHARP. THE HANDLE IS A HARD BLACK PLASTIC W/BRASS RIVETS. DOES HAVE A COUPLE MINOR SCUFF MARKS NOTHING MAJOR. IT IS 10" LONG WITH THE BLADE BEING 3" LONG AND 5/8" WIDE. A VERY NICE CLEAN COLLECTABLE SR W/A LOW STARTING PRICE

I paid under $20.00 for it
I also bought a NEW "PROFESSIONAL 20 IN RAZOR Strop or Strap" by Selective Professional Tools
and what I now know was a mistake I bought a Zeepk Straight Razor Hone stone

I want to learn how to hone and sharpen my razor(s) as well as getting a proper shave.

I am looking forward to learning the ins and outs of straight razor shaving and learning about the community.

Thanks,
-Jim

Welcome to the club!!!

Wish the pictures of the razor were better but that looks pretty god from what I can see. Do know that it will probably need a good polishing and definitely a honing before use.

Good luck!!! and keep learning you'll be an expert in no time.

Welcome aboard, Jim! Sounds like you got yourself a really nice razor. The hone on the other hand...I'm not a hone expert, but I know that Zeepk makes pretty crappy products. I'm sure some experienced honemeisters will post in here shortly and shed some light on that, but I would spring for a barber's hone and maybe the Norton 4000/8000 waterstone if you want to get serious about honing.

Anyway, you will really learn a lot here. The members on SRP are extremely knowledgeable and accommodating.

Again, welcome and good luck, and definitely read the stickies!

~Chris

I'm a complete newbie myself and know even less about hones than about most stuff, but it sounds like for the most part you've got a good starting lineup. As others have said, you'll find a wealth of information here, and these guys are very supportive and generous in sharing their experience. Along with the stickies, check out the resources under the "Library" tab at the SRP home page (http://straightrazorpalace.com/). Welcome to a great forum!

Rich

Welcome to SRP!

Firstly, I'd say to get a ready to go razor. Being a honing apprentice right now, let me just say that there's a steep learning curve when it comes to honing. Besides, you need something to benchmark from to know what it really means to be shaving sharp.

The direction you go with hones is your choice and it's a difficult one to make. After pouring over the posts in the honing forum for weeks, I was still confused as to what I should start with. You just have to read, read, and re-read until you can decide what you think you might like.

For the strop, I'd see if you could send it back. That one looks suspiciously like the one Zeepk ships with their kits (I bought one back when I started), and I can assure you that the Zeepk version is only good for whipping things with. Take your money and get a Tony Miller strop. I had a hard time parting with the money to buy one of his, but as soon as I got it I'm glad I did. It's worth each and every penny.

With that, just keep going. You've come to the right place and if it's a problem, someone here has likely dealt with it and is dying to share the solution with you. Good luck!

Welcome to the group Jim. It's good to see that interest in straight shaving is growing.

Welcome aboard!