Thread: New guy: Are straight razors for me?

Originally Posted by cybrok

I remember seeing some Proraso.

I have sensitive skin and do not have a problem with Proraso but some folks with sensitive skin do experience problems. YMMV

Id recommend putting up a post in the BST forum for a starter kit. If you buy new the razors will start at about 60 and go up from there. This of course doesn't include the strop, brush or soap. You will need a strop with your razor. The hones can wait for a while though. Some people hone their razors as soon as every 15 shaves. Some people can wait up to 150+. With some paste and a strop or flat surface its possible to go over a year without honing. I'd really comes down to the amount of abuse the razor is taking. Best bet would be to start with a razor and strop, and invest in hones when your ready for it.

I just purchased a decent starter kit from Kenrup - arriving Monday.
Go check out his thread in the Vendor's forum. I don't know if he'll ship to Canada, but I think it's probably worth a shot.

Originally Posted by cybrok

All I have at the moment is a basic kitchen knives sharpening stones. I don't even know the grits (it's a dual).

Good sharpening stones are expensive, so I want to optimize it and buy something for my kitchen knives and razor. I could try sandpaper too, great to sharpen convex edges. I guess a paper on a flat board would do the trick.

I just started a thread looking for advice on cheap honing alternatives, it might help you too. You should be able to find it here: http://straightrazorpalace.com/basic...-possible.html

It's a start: I just got a wilkinson swords brush and 2 soaps, one williams and one Proraso. I will be able to improve my lathe technique before I get a straight.


By the way, are WS brushes made of animal bristles or is it synthetic?

Originally Posted by cybrok

Is 8000 enough or I also need a 12000?

Well, it really depends on the combination of your skills, face, and razor. You certainly shouldn't worry about this when you start.

Originally Posted by cybrok

Good sharpening stones are expensive, so I want to optimize it and buy something for my kitchen knives and razor. I could try sandpaper too, great to sharpen convex edges. I guess a paper on a flat board would do the trick.

I don't know how sharp you like your knives, but even 4000 grit seems like an overkill for a knife. Don't know about paper on flat surface as I don't use that. But yes high-grit stones are usually expensive. There are always the cheap alternatives though - slipstones barber hones and pastes - there are members who use these, so there is no reason that you can't go with them if money is big concern.

Don't know about the brushes - you should be able to tell by looking at the bristles.

Originally Posted by gugi

I don't know how sharp you like your knives, but even 4000 grit seems like an overkill for a knife.

For I normal knife I agree. My American/European knives as well as EDC or other bushcraft knives (well, everything that do not have a convex edge) is sharpened with a normal Norton dual bench stone like this one.

But Japanese knives, like razors, are a whole different thing.



For those wondering about the sandpaper, here's an example:
YouTube - Sharpening a convex knife - dull to shaving sharp