Thread: I took the plunge

Well, that didn't take too long...LOL.

Second day as a member, and I am jumping in with both feet, and I have to say I am pretty damn excited.

I went to SR Design, bought Dovo violet, Prima Klang, and a Vintage Straight H.Boker 1091, along with Lynn's DVD.

Then Off to find a Hone, I got the Norton combo 4k/8k at Vintage blades.

I am waiting for a strop now...I read a lot great things about Anthony Miller's Strops so I am waiting for his site to go back up.

I am thinking I have pretty much everything covered as far getting good quality equipment that will serve me well as a new person to Straight Razor shaving, but will carry me through the years, or possibly through future generations of Rfury's shaving...lol.

So I am Wondering....Did I miss anything?

Originally Posted by rfury

So I am Wondering....Did I miss anything?

I would at least suggest some shaving soap or shaving cream if you don't have any already And if you must, a brush A decent brush really helps

Gottcha... I am pretty well set on Shaving Creams (Trumpers, DR Harris, Em's place, T&H ) oil, I have a nice Badger Hailr brush, and Witch Hazel.

Now I sit and Wait....This is almost better than Christmas...

Robert

Robert,

You have purchased some great gear. A wonderful starting point in str8 shaving. Most of us start rather more humbley.

Can I suggest that if you decide to purchase one of Tony's artisan strops you also purchase his starter strop.

When you first start learning to strop you will nick your strop at some point. It's far better to make your mistakes on a very cheap and cost effective starter strop. You can then move onto the artisan after a couple of months on the starter strop. It was the best decision I made. I know of others that have regretted not doing the same!

Enjoy the journey!

Now that is what I call a great setup. Congratulations.... or should I say Merry Christmas! Have fun!!!

[quote=Black Beard;226327]

Can I suggest that if you decide to purchase one of Tony's artisan strops you also purchase his starter strop.

When you first start learning to strop you will nick your strop at some point. It's far better to make your mistakes on a very cheap and cost effective starter strop. You can then move onto the artisan after a couple of months on the starter strop. It was the best decision I made. I know of others that have regretted not doing the same!


This is great advise! I wish I had done this myself. Everytime I use my Tony's #1 horsehide, I can see the nicks I put in it the 1st few months of my learning to strop properly.

Zepplin: I think that is a wise bit of advice you are giving me.
I did however ordered the more expensive real fancy Strop that they have, I got it through SRP, then I read, about how for beginners it is wise to start with a very good strop for beginners.
So...I am waiting patiently for Tony's site to open back up. Then I will order the beginner strop, I have already gotten my hands on a cheap Straight, and I am looking for a few more, so that, I can learn the skills necessary to hone, strop and just take care of a more expensive Straight razor.

So, so far it just has been me Shopping, reading, and learning, I suspect next week will be the hands on.

Thanks for the Advice, and suggestions everyone. I appreciate it....

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

6 days into taking the plunge into the world if Straight Razor Shaving.

I had made some additional purchases on Ebay so I could have a couple of practice razors.
Those have come in, I will post a picture of those a bit later.

My Norton 4k/8k Water-stone came in today, and I just finished lapping it DMT Dia Sharp plate.

So this is now ready to go.

I also received my 12k stone from China and the has been lapped as well.

I have to admit, I was thinking Lapping? surely this is being a bit anal about things....Well, I did it anyway, and it is a real good thing I did, because the stones needed it.
So a suggestion to all the newbies who like me, are prone to skip steps sometimes....Don't... LOL

So onto the Razors, of the Straight razors I have... None of them were shave ready, and in-fact two were so dull I could run the pad of my finger down the blade, and not get cut...Yes.. I did exactly that...LOL.

So...I watched a couple videos on Honing, Got my self all set up.. And I started on the dullest blade first.
Starting on the 4k side of the stone, I was able to get an edge pretty quick, I was going slow, taking my time, and the edge was already much sharper than when I started.

So, flipped the stone over, and continued to work on the 8k side. I was moving along a little more quick, and wouldn't ya know it, I screwed up the blade by not turning it over the spiine....Note to self...Take your time, go slow.

So I had to start all over lol... Back on the 4k, for a few strokes, and then back onto the 8k for further honing.
I am currently taking a break, but I can tell you, right now the blade is sharp enough to cut the hair on my forearm. And I haven't even gotten to the 12k stone or stropping yet.
I am pretty excited this far, because I stressed out over learning how to hone the Razor.
And it seems like I have done well so far.

I hope that my leather Strop gets here tomorrow, as well as the other things, then my set up will be almost complete.


Robert

Enjoy it, have fun and good luck.