Thread: I took the plunge

Wow, sounds like you really have jumped in with both feet. Looks like you're off to a great start! I'm not sure if I misunderstood you but are you going to order an apprentice strop in addition to the strop you already have on order? If so, I would suggest asking Tony to update your order to include the practice strop instead and if that fails, PM me and I'll send you mine.

Otherwise, seems like you are off and running. Enjoy!

Casey

No, you didn't misunderstand me, a good point was brought up, about nicking a high end strop...I figure...I Should preserve the better strop for when I am much better, and get a beginner strop for now, something to practice on.

I haven't put in the order, because... as I was looking, there is this paddle strop, with 3 sides for paste, and one side for leather stropping..I am thinking this is a very cool idea, I just haven't committed myself to any additional orders yet, because I am not real sure there is a benefit to pasting, when I am honing or going to be honing at 12k.

If there is a benefit, and that strop is a good idea I will buy it, if it is over kill, well then I will stick with getting a Beginner strop to use until I work out my technique. And Kca.. I will gladly take you up on your offer.

Thanks

Robert

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

The nicks in your new strop would only add character in the years ahead youll probably nick it anyway.JMO

Agreed you will anyway and they are so much better nothing a little pumice will not fix. PS you picked up a couple of great shaver that Boxer really kicks and the Prima is my fav Dovo
PS Thanks for the order

Ok Don, I will settle for what I have already, thanks everyone for all your advice.

I really think I am getting the hang of Honing...so far the straights I have honed, and not stropped are sharp enough to cut the hairs on my arms... Which I have been doing as a gauge to check the sharpness. Yea... I do the finger nail thing too...I have to say, arms are pretty smooth now...since they are hairless...

again thanks for the advice, Don... I can't wait for the razors to arrive, I am pretty stoked about it.
That, and the Strop, so... I can then write about my first REAL shave with a straight razor...Arm I don't think counts...lol

Robert

Originally Posted by rfury

Ok Don, I will settle for what I have already, thanks everyone for all your advice.

I really think I am getting the hang of Honing...so far the straights I have honed, and not stropped are sharp enough to cut the hairs on my arms... Which I have been doing as a gauge to check the sharpness. Yea... I do the finger nail thing too...I have to say, arms are pretty smooth now...since they are hairless...

again thanks for the advice, Don... I can't wait for the razors to arrive, I am pretty stoked about it.
That, and the Strop, so... I can then write about my first REAL shave with a straight razor...Arm I don't think counts...lol

Robert

The only sure fire test is to shave, the boker might need a touch up we do not rehone the Vintage for collectors it adds wear

Here are the Straights I got so far....Note the vintage Boker, and the Dovo are not in yet...I will put thos picures up when I get them.

But these are the Straights I got on E-bay, and at the local flea market.
When I got them they were pretty dull, tarnished, some with some pitting n rust.

I cleaned them up, and added a good edge on them.

Ok I must be crazy....I finished honing all the Straights I have, and they are sharp.
I don't have a strop, but I wanted to try something anyway.
So I took one of my hand towels that I get from the Operating room, it is course almost like canvas, but not quite...So I folded that to make a make shift Strop. I practiced one one of the razors, and then decided to try it out as in go shave.

So off I went lathered up the Ole mug, and went at it... I did pretty much all WTG strokes, and a couple XTG....Now I don't know how much sharper the Straight Razor is suppose to be, but I have to say, I did get a pretty good, and close shave, the only time I get closer is when I use a DE, and I do 4 passes WTG, WTG, XTG, and ATG, then I get this BBS face.

Here I went WTG, XTG in some spots, but mostly WTG, I was too nervous to try ATG.

No cuts, no nicks, a pretty close shave, a little razor burn from maybe a bit too much pressure, but over all for my first Shave, it is not bad.

The only area thats need more work if the Adam's apple....I guess I will have to figure this area out, as I go along.