Thread: A Humble Hello

Hello Everyone!

I am absolutely honored to be amongst such enthusiast! I do apologize though, this is the second time I've tried to post this thread after the first one was deleted from being timed out.

So let me start from the beginning. I have always had an interest in straight razors, but my enthusiasm was brought on by Tim Burton's 'Sweeney Todd'. As cliché as that might be, I became obsessed. I devoured the history of razors, I researched everything about them. I read website after website, blog after blog, following forum conversations about people using them and what they where using, watched all kinds of youtube video's about honing and stroping. I agonized every night on ebay, debating what to buy, should I buy. I didn't want to rush out and buy a blade only to find that I didn't know how to use it, that I didn't like it, that it was just another passing obsession. I decided to wait, be patient, keep watching, learning, obsessing, until one day my moment came. I was visiting a friend out of town when he surprised me with fathers antique blade. It wasn't much, but it was everything I had dreamed of. It had no nicks or visible damage, a little "corrosion" at the base between the joints of the handle and blade and obviously dull, but other wise perfect. I put it away dreaming of using it, patiently waiting on the perfect hone. Wondering if it was something I could actually see myself using. I decided to go for it and bought a 220/1000 grit Norton water stone and a vintage strop from ebay. Two separate auctions with a total around $100. My strop arrived first with the hone the following night. I was so excited, and nervous all at the same time. I had read all the material and seen enough of the "how-to" video's on youtube, I was ready...or so I thought. I honed for about 10 minutes on the 220 then flipped over and hone another few minutes on the 1000. I stropped about 10 strokes and the time finally came. My first though as I stroked for the first time was "I have a lot to learn". I could feel the hair being pulled out! I have never had razor burn so intense...

I have since shaved a few more times, that was about two to three weeks ago. I continue to learn, I continue to fall in love with my blade. I wanted to share my story, my routine, some troubles and ask a few questions. I love this site, I learned a lot by reading the posts and wanted to finally join in on the conversations. Hopefully I'll post some pictures later of my equipment that way you guys can get a better look at what some of the problems I might run into. As for now I'll share my routine...

I first start off with honing. I hone every time, before I shave. I set my stone on top of the plastic box it came in and place it right under the faucet with a very small stream of warm water always running to keep a thin layer on top. I hone for about five to seven minutes on the 1000 grit side. I know I need to buy a 4000/8000 grit stone, hopefully soon! I test the blade on my thumb nail. Once I feel a consistent sharpness I set the stone next to the sink to air out a bit. I then strop. I keep the strop very tight and run the blade with the spine leading for about 10 strokes. Now I do the hanging hair test, only I keep my hair very short and don't have any to pull, so what I've been doing is using a thread from my wash cloth, granted that is thicker and occasionally I'll use a cat hair (God knows its everywhere Most of the time the hair/thread splits after a moment running on the blade, I have yet to have a hair cut on impact. I think thats because I don't have a higher grit hone- yet. I moist my face with warm water and lather with canned foam for sensitive skin. I start the shave on my right side going down to the neck line all the way over to the left. I re-lather then shave from bottom of neck to jaw line. The chin and jaw are tricky and I haven't gotten that down yet. I also haven't been able to go against the grain on my cheeks yet because I don't have the skill or the treated skin. Once all that is done I moist with warm water again and run my schick razor just to clean up. Dry off apply Old Spice after-shave and jump in the shower. I know I should shower first, but thats just my O.C.D.

Once in a while I'll run the blade on the other side of the strop after I shave, but I'm not really sure what that is doing...I just read its a good thing to do? I have some questions about proper cleaning, the stone and blade, etc. And I didn't know if I should use some kind of oil to soften the strop. Also I don't have a brush right now either and was wondering who makes a quality brush-bowl set?


I think thats enough for right now, this post has gone on way to long! Thanks again for reading and I can't wait to hear from you!!