Howdy From Maine

Where to begin? I haven't shaved in over 28 years. Didn't see the point. God created my whiskers, so I guess he/she meant for me to let em hang. And even if God didn't, they came with the package, so I went with it. Actually I guess I was/am just a lazy so and so.

In an effort to address the changes that we all go through and search for, especially at the end of year, I figured I would chop off the fur to see what my face looks like after almost 57 years on the planet. But if I was going to committ to this new look thing, I was going to do it in style. As a kid visiting my aunt and uncle in the summer, I was fascinated at the process my uncle went through every other day or so with his straight razor. It was almost ceremonial. A serious thing, this keeping his face clean shaven.

So anyway, I am looking to go straight. After lurking in this forum and a couple of others, I have to say I have been alternately scared witless and encouraged. Since I am an impulsive SOB, I am going to follow through here. My questions are several and I won't bother you with them here. Just an intro to say hey.

Well I lied - This edit add on is about questions I have.

Why are Zeepk razors bad? What makes them suck? I was going to go with one as a starter, but have been convinced from the many comments I should not. I am looking at a Dovo. But I am contemplating a Zeepk anyway just to practice my honing. I enjoy the Hell out of keeping edges sharp on knives, tools, etc. This conversion is more than just getting a shave, It's about trying new things.

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Originally Posted by CRUM

Why are Zeepk razors bad? What makes them suck? I was going to go with one as a starter, but have been convinced from the many comments I should not. I am looking at a Dovo. But I am contemplating a Zeepk anyway just to practice my honing. I enjoy the Hell out of keeping edges sharp on knives, tools, etc. This conversion is more than just getting a shave, It's about trying new things.

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They won't take an edge. You are better off buying a razor off ebay or from an antique shop/fair. Some place in this site there is a list of razors to avoid like the plague. Look through that list if you are contemplating anything new on ebay.

People say that steel they use to make Zeepks in not hard enough to hold an edge. I think Kenrup said that Zeepks are made with recycled steel. I am not sure that trying to hone the "unhonable" would make you learn how to hone but that is just my opinion. If you are on a budget, the razors in the classifieds seem like a pretty good option.

Al raz.

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Originally Posted by CRUM

Why are Zeepk razors bad? What makes them suck? I was going to go with one as a starter, but have been convinced from the many comments I should not. I am looking at a Dovo. But I am contemplating a Zeepk anyway just to practice my honing. I enjoy the Hell out of keeping edges sharp on knives, tools, etc. This conversion is more than just getting a shave, It's about trying new things.

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The steel is very poor quality hence not taking an edge. A Double Arrow seems like a good thing to practise on. I don't own one but the consensus seems to be that even though they won't keep an edge for as long as the better blades, they will take one and give a good shave. If you want a cheap(ish) practise honer that is a good razor too, there's always the Wapienca.

…and of course, welcome.

Well I guess I won't even bother with Zeepk. Nothing I hate worse than a cheap knife. I figure I will have the same opinion of a cheap straiight razor. Dovo it is.

Now I have lurked enough and read enough to know you people cannot stress how important using a "Shave ready" razor is. And almost as importatnt is that a virgin such as myself should not take it upon himself to try to hone my first one. Leave it to a more experienced user. But my abilities with other blades is good. I have many years of keeping my tools, chisels, knives etc sharpened properly. It is that ego thing. But I will make my first purchase a shave ready razor. Down the road though I want to do it myself. I have had wonderful success with the DMT line of hones. I do not have one of their what is it, extra extra fine hone? Would adding this to my collection be enough to take cake of the final honing after using the next one up, which I have? Seems silly to purchase more hones than I need.

Again, thank you much folks for the quick response and information.

I'll second the vote for the double arrow. I just got two off e-bay for about $25 shipped! One of them is so off center you have to hold the blade tot he side to close it, or else it cuts the scales. BUT---I have practiced honing on them, and have now turned a piece of metal that would tug and rip to one that will shave, not comfrtable yet....but I'm getting there. I'm amazed at just how different it is than getting my knives sharp as sin (which I am pretty good at). The edge it can get is quite remarkeable. I have one that was honed by one of our resident masters, and it's pretty amazing for such an inexpensive razor. But as has been said above, that edge doesn't last long before needing a touch-up.

So you haven't shave since before you were 30? It's going to be interesting to see that bare face after all this time! A pictorial would be nice. Might want to wait till after the Maine winter to shave off that face warmer, though!!!

Welcome, enjoy the ride and the learning curve.

Welcome to the board. I'm sure it will be interesting to see yourself in the mirror after so much time with beard. As I'm sure you've read here, there are many hones out there. I'm not familiar with the DMT products. You'll want to finish on something in the 8K grit range at least. Chromium oxide powder on a wood or leather strop is an inexpensive and easy finishing fix for many.

Jordan

Edit: Oh, and Howard from theperfectedge.com can probably answer any questions you may have about the DMTs and other hones. He's a great resource and not too far from you.

Howdy,

Sharpening a razor will probably require more than one hone or grit. Maintaining an edge can be done with one hone, but once on the slippery slope of hone acquisition you will more than likely slip and slide like the rest of us and get... oh, a couple more.

I sharpen tools for myself and had to unlearn some of the heavy handed approaches that work for coarser edges. You also may have some that educational process before your razor honing becomes progress.

good luck, good shaving,

Maine is also a treasure trove of antique stores, just waiting for you to find your next razor!

What everyone else says about inexpensive Zeepks, Kriegers, others, all of the $10 surgical stainless steel blades out there. The metal is so low grade it just crumbles when you “sharpen” it down thin enough to be razor sharp. You can drive yourself crazy chasing an edge that can’t happen. You will be fine with the current stone collection you have EXCEPT you will need to add one or two stones in the 4000 and 8000 grit range, water type stones that will slowly dissolve as you hone on them. The resulting sludge is what really hones the blades. If you polish your chisels on leather with abrasives, this is what pasted strops are here and they are a cheap way to get a fabulous edge on a razor. Also read up on taping the razor’s spine, you can do lots of honing learning without wearing down the blade or messing it up too much as you make your learning mistakes. I see you got “ego”. I know that one. Get a Norton 4000/8000 waterstone, read and HEED the info you can collect here, and you will have NO PROBLEM getting this razor honing thing down. It will take a while, but it will come.

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Originally Posted by smokelaw1

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So you haven't shave since before you were 30? It's going to be interesting to see that bare face after all this time! A pictorial would be nice. Might want to wait till after the Maine winter to shave off that face warmer, though!!!

Welcome, enjoy the ride and the learning curve.

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No one here thinks I will do this thing. One friend says it will ruin my image among the rough hewn Mainer guys who wear plaid wool shirts under Dickie overalls and smell like deer urine. And yeah, I ought to wait until winter is over, but well striking when the iron is hot is the only sure way to follow through. Besides I just picked up what I hope is a nice Henckel on Ebay. Supposed to be recently honed and shave tested. Spend that kind of money on a blade and not use it would be sacrilege I think.

Next purchase - a strop. Been eyeing the ones from The Well Shaved Gentleman. I like the idea of buying something from the person who made it. Anyone have an opinion of his strops?

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Originally Posted by CRUM

No one here thinks I will do this thing. One friend says it will ruin my image among the rough hewn Mainer guys who wear plaid wool shirts under Dickie overalls and smell like deer urine. And yeah, I ought to wait until winter is over, but well striking when the iron is hot is the only sure way to follow through. Besides I just picked up what I hope is a nice Henckel on Ebay. Supposed to be recently honed and shave tested. Spend that kind of money on a blade and not use it would be sacrilege I think.

Next purchase - a strop. Been eyeing the ones from The Well Shaved Gentleman. I like the idea of buying something from the person who made it. Anyone have an opinion of his strops?

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You can't go wrong with Tony's gear. Total gentleman and the strops are beautiful and functional.

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Originally Posted by Bruce

Howdy,

Sharpening a razor will probably require more than one hone or grit. Maintaining an edge can be done with one hone, but once on the slippery slope of hone acquisition you will more than likely slip and slide like the rest of us and get... oh, a couple more.

I sharpen tools for myself and had to unlearn some of the heavy handed approaches that work for coarser edges. You also may have some that educational process before your razor honing becomes progress.

good luck, good shaving,

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Yeah, from what I understand after a couple of weeks checking this odd fascination with straight razors, honing will be the toughest thing to get down. But I can be tenacious when I set my mind to it. But first things first. I will follow the advice and learn to shave before I learn to hone. And you do not know how out of character this will be for me. I specialize in putting the cart in front of the horse as a rule.

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Originally Posted by jnich67

Welcome to the board. I'm sure it will be interesting to see yourself in the mirror after so much time with beard. As I'm sure you've read here, there are many hones out there. I'm not familiar with the DMT products. You'll want to finish on something in the 8K grit range at least. Chromium oxide powder on a wood or leather strop is an inexpensive and easy finishing fix for many.

Jordan

Edit: Oh, and Howard from theperfectedge.com can probably answer any questions you may have about the DMTs and other hones. He's a great resource and not too far from you.

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Some guys my age buy red sports cars. I figured I would find my face. I definitely plan on doing a pictorial revue of the process. It should be real comedy.

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Originally Posted by kahunamoose

What everyone else says about inexpensive Zeepks, Kriegers, others, all of the $10 surgical stainless steel blades out there. The metal is so low grade it just crumbles when you “sharpen” it down thin enough to be razor sharp. You can drive yourself crazy chasing an edge that can’t happen. You will be fine with the current stone collection you have EXCEPT you will need to add one or two stones in the 4000 and 8000 grit range, water type stones that will slowly dissolve as you hone on them. The resulting sludge is what really hones the blades. If you polish your chisels on leather with abrasives, this is what pasted strops are here and they are a cheap way to get a fabulous edge on a razor. Also read up on taping the razor’s spine, you can do lots of honing learning without wearing down the blade or messing it up too much as you make your learning mistakes. I see you got “ego”. I know that one. Get a Norton 4000/8000 waterstone, read and HEED the info you can collect here, and you will have NO PROBLEM getting this razor honing thing down. It will take a while, but it will come.

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I must have 20 hoining stones of varying grits and quality. But apparently none of them will be adequate for a straight razor other than using them on a razor in the early phase of a restoration. From what I can tell, the Norton 4000/8000 with a flattening stone would be a sensible choice. Thanks.

Well I took the plunge and bought some razors. One is a Kenckel and supposed to be shave ready, having been recently honed and shave tested. I will use it to learn how to use a straight razor. And just a few moments ago I bid and won a couple of old razors, one from Sheffield and the other I assume was a rebranded Boker as it has "The Improved Eagle" on the blade. Both look decent in the photo, but then I will not know until I get them. I paid w/shipping - $31 for the pair. Figure for that price if one turns out decent, I am ahead of the game.. I am sure they will need some work. So that means one of you honing guys will be getting some work from me.

I just want to say the responses here have been excellent. You guys are way more politie and friendly than many of the other forums I have visited for other things. And I appreciate being treated civilly for a newbie. I know how it goes when one is a supposed "expert". I am at that end of the spectrum when it comes to bicycles. And let me say, that crew is all over the map when it comes to treating a newbie decently. I always try to be even and dispense my opinions and advice without judgement. Again thanks for doing the same with me here.

So the razors are on their way. Now I need a strop and I think one from "The Well shaved Gentleman" is what I will get. Almost locally made. But what kind of soap and brush (Less expensive soap and brush) would be good to start with? And is aftershave really an important finish for a shave?

G'day & welcome Crum.
Has anyone pointed you to the WIKI yet. Great advice on all your questions especially honing.

Category:Honing - Straight Razor Place Wiki

For brushes, I really prefer badger. They are a little more expensive than boar, but I think the difference is more than marginal. You can probably get a good $40 vulfix badger from classicshaving or vintageblades.com. I think Tweezerman makes an adequate badger for less than $20. Otherwise, I think Omega makes a decent boar for less.

If you want to go really cheap on the soap, you can get Williams soap at most drug stores for around $2 a puck. Again, I think its worth a few more dollars for a quality product - soap lasts months even if you're shaving everyday.

Mid priced soaps might be Proraso (this has a eucalyptus kick though), Volabra almond soap, or Tabac (one of the best soaps out there, period).

We have several soap makers here on the board. Mama Bear and Colleen (the gentleman's quarter) make great soaps for reasonable prices. Their contact info should be in the vendor's corner.

Being in Maine, I'd be surprised if you didn't have some local soap makers there too.

Enjoy

Jordan

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Originally Posted by jnich67

For brushes, I really prefer badger. They are a little more expensive than boar, but I think the difference is more than marginal. You can probably get a good $40 vulfix badger from classicshaving or vintageblades.com. I think Tweezerman makes an adequate badger for less than $20. Otherwise, I think Omega makes a decent boar for less.

If you want to go really cheap on the soap, you can get Williams soap at most drug stores for around $2 a puck. Again, I think its worth a few more dollars for a quality product - soap lasts months even if you're shaving everyday.

Mid priced soaps might be Proraso (this has a eucalyptus kick though), Volabra almond soap, or Tabac (one of the best soaps out there, period).

We have several soap makers here on the board. Mama Bear and Colleen (the gentleman's quarter) make great soaps for reasonable prices. Their contact info should be in the vendor's corner.

Being in Maine, I'd be surprised if you didn't have some local soap makers there too.

Enjoy

Jordan

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Thanks much for this bit of insight. As I am new to this straight razor thing, I know I have a lot to learn about every aspect of it. The brush thing makes sense, better brush, better moisture retention, better lather. Or am I off base here? As to the soap thing, When I use to use a safety razor many years ago, I would shave in the shower and lather up with a cheap brush and whatever soap I was using to wash the rest of me with. In retrospect, it is no wonder I hated shaving and eventually gave it up. Your point about local soapmakers is well taken. I know they exist and close by. My wife was a basketmaker for years and we became well entrenched into the state and regional culture of craftspeople. I will definitely check out local for the soap.

Keep it 'tween the ditches,

Crum

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Originally Posted by onimaru55

G'day & welcome Crum.
Has anyone pointed you to the WIKI yet. Great advice on all your questions especially honing.

Category:Honing - Straight Razor Place Wiki

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I have been all over the Wiki articles. I think I am beginning to get a clue. The big one is take it one step at a time. I need to learn to shave first.

Keep it 'tween the Ditches,

Crum

Realistic expectations :D

You'll do just fine ;)

Welcome aboard!!!

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Originally Posted by CRUM

And is aftershave really an important finish for a shave?

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Since you haven't shaved lately, you probably want to use an after shave lotion....your skin is bound to be nice and sensitive after so many years of whisker protection. I have used the Afta after shave skin conditioner lotion by Mennen for years with cartridge razors and it did wonders for avoiding razor burn. Not only is it cheap, but easy to find locally (atleast around here)

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Originally Posted by jnich67

................Being in Maine, I'd be surprised if you didn't have some local soap makers there too.

Enjoy

Jordan

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Well thanks for the heads up about finding a soapmaker in Maine. Seems in our rural town here in Acton, there is "Farnham Ridge" soapmakers not 5 miles from me. They make goat milk based soap from their own goats. I am going to stop by when I get a chance.

Cool, please post a review if you find some good stuff!

It seems that crafts are very big in NE.

Jordan

Just a reminder...

DON'T staricht shave in the shower! Shaving in the shower is a great way to keep your beard/whiskers hydrated, but if you ever happened to drop your naked blade on your naked self.....:eek:

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Originally Posted by Seraphim

Just a reminder...

DON'T staricht shave in the shower! Shaving in the shower is a great way to keep your beard/whiskers hydrated, but if you ever happened to drop your naked blade on your naked self.....:eek:

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Yeah, that is good advice. Since I now have my first shave ready razor(an older henckels), once I get a strop, I should be ready to go. I have been thinking of where this first shave should take place. The shower was an obvious choice if I could figure out how to hang a mirror in there. Figured blood would be no mess, just wash it down the drain. I had not thought of potential blood loss from me being clumsy. Shower is out. Maybe the garage sink. I mess with the mrs.'s arrangement at the main bath sink and I am toast. So I will find my own place to set up my shaving apace..

CRUM, there should not be much or any blood if you keep it cool. The issue here is to proceed with extreme caution and not try to do too much at once. Start with a single pass with the grain and shaving only the easy parts of your cheeks. Because they are mostly flat, they would provide a nice surface to test angles, etc.. As you gain confidence, extend your shaving routine to other areas and try passes against the grain, etc. There is nothing wrong to use your old safety razor to shave the harder parts while you develop technique. Remember, the most important part of shaving is probably skin and beard preparation. Please, do yourself a faver do not skimp time and effort here... Take your time to build a nice lather. Start with little water as it is easier to add than to remove it ;-). By the way Maine is a beautiful state and the fishing is great ;-).

Al raz.

Welcome!

Good luck on your straight razor journey... It's very rewarding. If it weren't, there wouldn't be so many of us here. I hope you find using a straight as peaceful and as much of a Zen-like, calming experience as I (and many others) do.

Please post pics of the step by step of your foray into shaving and your subsequent beard removal.

+1 on the pics please. :cool: