Wondering what to do with regards to razors...

I've been shaving with a straight razor that uses disposable blades I bought in Kosovo for $2 for about 6 months now and feel totally comfortable shaving with it. I want to upgrade to a "real" straight razor. I fell into the Zeepk ebay trap and have two razors, strop, "hone" and some other stuff from them.

I'm wondering what to do next. Obviously, the Zeepk sucks and I can't shave with it. I'm debating taking it on this year's deer hunt, seems like it'd be good for skinning.... Any of the following options sound good?

1. buy a 4k/8k hone and try to hone the zeepk (would it work?)
2. buy a used $50 "shave ready" used straight razor and 4k hone
3. buy a new Dovo (i'm thinking stainless as of now...)
4. send the zeepk in for a $15 honing (would it work?)

I'd like to use the Zeepk strop if it will work...

I don't want anything fancy until I feel as comfortable using a "real" straight razor as I do my current straight razor so trying to keep my costs low and my Zeepk is my first choice. I'm gonna be over budget as is....


Thanks!

PS- any thought on a cheap hone? I have a Soft Arkansas hone I've been using on the Zeepk (given about 3000+ strokes on each side) and wondering if the Soft Arkansas is actually razor capable. Any thoughts on a CHEAP hone? Thanks a lot!!!!

Just get a razor and start shaving. Ditch the Zeepk and go with the new ( shave ready ) Dovo or a used shave ready from a member ( I have several ). It is hard to go wrong with a 4/8 Norton and a good strop. Remember, the learning curve is not measured in shaves, but in months of daily shaving. Have fun and remember that you often get what you pay for. Have fun! Scott

Ditch all the Zeepk stuff. The razor might be good for skinning, but I don't know how well the edge will hold up. I use mine on blister packs and envelopes. I promise you won't be able to hone it to anything that will give even a decent shave. The strop is worthless- I never figured out something to use it for.

If you're just wanting to get into it, get a used, shave ready razor from the classifieds. I think you can probably do better than $50 (more like $30). Grab a good strop from Tony Miller or Damon and call it good. You won't need hones for a while, so if you're just trying to stay within budget, a shave ready razor and strop will take you furthest. I'm thinking you can get by on $60 or so if you're willing to wait for a good deal. Remember: used does NOT mean bad. The only brand new razor I intend to own is a custom. My favorite razor is my pre-WWII german Oxford. I picked it up used at an antique store for $14, cleaned it up, then sent it out for honing. You'll find that many users here have quite old razors in their rotation, many pre-dating 1900. If I recall correctly, there are even some pre-1800 razors floating around.

2 and 3 seem reasonable options. Before buying hones, etc. I would explore shaving with the straight first. As for the zeepk, find other uses for it.

Al raz.

+1 with quick orange use the classifieds here and get a good strop and you will be ready to go:D

Think its time for me to start looking through the classified for real and see what I can dig up. We'll see how the Zeepk does on the hunting trip...

Out of curiosity, what makes strops different? Would it hurt the razor to try the Zeepk strop? Thanks so much for all your help!!

Zeepk – Lick your wounds, warn others, move on. Lots of us here have done it. I corrupted my virginity on a Frost Steel Warrior. Lots of Krieger suckers out there. Life goes on. Don’t pay someone to hone that P.O.S (and I don’t mean Piece Of Steel).

Get a Norton 4000/8000 and you will be set for life for all but maybe one other finer stone. Until Hone Acquisition Disorder hits. Maybe it’s self control but it gets most people who stick around here. Anyhow, the 4000/8000 is a rock solid investment. You’d also do well with a paddle strop pasted with 05 micron Chromium Oxide, and the paddle strop could fill the bill for the “one other finer” clause above.

I don’t know much about the cheap strops, everyone here snarls at them. I would think if there are not breaks or cracks or cupping in the thing it would at least be OK until you got a good one.

If you get a new Dovo or anything else, you are probably going to have to send it to someone to be honed for actual use. Shave ready from the classifieds here or at Badger and Blade is probably your best bang for your buck.