Thread: Hello All

Hi

I just found and joined this site and would be grateful for some advice. I've tried several brands of "normal" razors and have always found the shave was never quite as smooth as I wanted, so I decided to try a straight razor.

Unfortunately I jumped head first and without doing proper research I've made some purchases already. I've picked up a couple of of old razor on ebay and also purchased a couple of hones thinking I could just sharpen the razors and start using them.

I went to the local barbers and had a Turkish hot towel shave just to be sure I want to continue this. After I got over the fact I had just let a complete stranger take a blade to my throat, I was convinced my choice was correct.

I now have a couple of vintage razor which I can't use until I learn to restore them correctly, a belgian blue whetsone 150mm x 50mm and a 12k Chinese water stone 150mm x 50mm. I am thinking I should purchase one of those straight razors which uses disposable blades until I learn to shave correctly. Then purchase a new or vintage razor which is in a ready to shave condition and gradually work my way up to restoring the two razors I have.

I would be grateful for any advice or hints on the matter.

regards

Edward

1. You need a strop. Tony Miller and Damon both sell.
2. Skip the injector blade straight and go right for the classic straight.
3. Buy a shave ready blade from the classifieds which you can resell for what you paid when you're done with it if you like.
4. You might want to pick up another stone, around 8,000 or 10,000 grit if you're not too familiar with honing.

X

welcome to srp,

check the sticky post in the top of this section, if you haven't already.
i most certainly agree with xman - i don't see an advantage of using a disposable shavette type razor, and there are plenty of inexpensive razors in the classifieds, and I believe there are some members in the UK who may have razors for sale.
you'll find plenty of tips in the restoration section on how to go about your razors, but it will probably take you some time before you can shave with them. perhaps the barber can help you with that (although I suspect they use disposable blade razors)

Knowing what a good razor is supposed to feel like is half the battle. Since you already had a professional barber shave you have a good idea of what to expect.

The problem is duplicating that experience while at the same time learning the proper methods of honing and using a razor. I know because I've been there and helped a few buddies over the hump so to speak. It would be a lot faster learning curve if you started with a perfectly honed shave ready razor...that way you would know whether it was technique or the razor. I suffered many a horrible shave with a "shave ready" razor until I learned all the nuances about how to best shave my beard...and then many more horrible shaves with the razors I first tried to hone.

I'm not saying it can't be done...shoot I've taught myself a couple things from reading a book and hacking away til I got it right...it's just easier if you break the lessons into two parts (shaving and honing) and your face will love you for it.

Greetings & Welcome.

Plenty of good advice here - you won't go wrong skipping the disposable.

Originally Posted by xman

1. You need a strop. Tony Miller and Damon both sell.
2. Skip the injector blade straight and go right for the classic straight.
3. Buy a shave ready blade from the classifieds which you can resell for what you paid when you're done with it if you like.
4. You might want to pick up another stone, around 8,000 or 10,000 grit if you're not too familiar with honing.

X

Thanks for the advice Xman, I placed an ad for a shave ready razor in the classifieds so fingers crossed.

What 8,000 or 10,000 grit stone would you suggest?

If you are looking for a good shave-ready razor, the you may want to check out Kenrup, one of the vendors on the site.

Now, I am going to disagree with some of the previous posts. I actually found that using a Feather Artist Club straight razor (uses disposable blades) to be very helpful in helping me to learn how to shave with a straight. Now, you will find that this is a bit of a religious issue with those that think a Feather is good and those that do not. However, when I was first learning, my razor was always sharp and I did not have to worry about my honing or stropping technique. I learned how to use a very, very sharp blade and how to shave in the appropriate directions for the grain of my beard. So, as with all things YMMV and all that.
I will say that even though I have been shaving for quite a while, I sometimes bring out the Feather Artist Club razor to save a little time in the morning. However, my preferred shave is with one of my straights that I have honed and stropped and have it maintained to very sharp edge.

Originally Posted by wong2226

What 8,000 or 10,000 grit stone would you suggest?

Many of us use the Norton 4k/8k combination waterstone and it's a very good edge creator. That, or you could consider investing in a Belgian yellow coticule which is a natural stone close to 10k. If you've got a steady hand and have some experience honing, you could produce a nice edge with the stones you've got.

X