Thread: Sorry I'm green when it comes to shaving

I was just given some straight razors from my grandfather, whom was passed on from my great grandfather. Anyway, i do not believe that they are anything to spectacular, but one says that it is Best English Steel on the blade and the shank says Cosmo MFG. CO. Germany and it has a square head, the other was made locally in Charleston WV. by MacGill and Markell, and is also a square head. I went to a local barber and he showed me how to hone then said he would try to locate an old carborundum hone that he had for me, but to never shave with the razors so i do not cut myself. I would really like to learn though bc i used to watch my grandfather shave with them. Does anybody have any pointers as far as creames or soaps or just general info.
Thanks!

There is a lot of good advice in this forum. There is a thread in the soap section (best soap anybody) that you give you an idea of the soaps that most people regard as good. I think that there are many and it comes to personal preference. I would ask the honemeisters in the form about hones and how to hone razors before I start experimenting with my relics. You probably also need a strop if you do not have one and a brush. After you get your razor/s shave ready, you would be ready to go.

Al raz.

Welcome to SRP. A very cool thing to have your Grandfather's razors. There is a good starter read here and some videos to get you going here.

Originally Posted by wvubchem235

never shave with the razors so i do not cut myself.

Hello mate,
That made me laugh! Very cautious for a barber. I'm not that experienced, i'm afraid, but very enthusiastic.
You'll find all you need here & be shaving in no time, if that's what you want. Have a look through the forums.

Originally Posted by wvubchem235

I was just given some straight razors from my grandfather, whom was passed on from my great grandfather. Anyway, i do not believe that they are anything to spectacular.
I went to a local barber and he showed me how to hone then said he would try to locate an old carborundum hone that he had for me, but to never shave with the razors so i do not cut myself.

What a hoot. Especially from a barber. The blades are spectacular just because they have been in your family for so long. Pick out your favorite one (or all if you are enthusiastic!), send it/them off to be honed by someone who really knows what they are doing. Back then the blades were made to be used, keep them in their glory! You definitely need a strop. Get a mid priced shaving brush ($35-$50). Or, of late I have been using an Omega 4P boar hair brush that runs $15 delivered from Ebay. And I love it, even over my expensive Silvertip Badger hair Shavemac. Run on down to Wal-Mart for some Vander Hagen shaving soap. Brace yourself, this high end stuff is going to set your back $1.50 a puck. I don’t like the smell, but it shaves as good as the expensive stuff and gets you shaving today. Tons of pretty smelling options down the road that you can choose from as you are actually shaving. Don’t get hung up on details and brands, almost all of it is good if you have a decently edged blade. Look at getting a Norton 4000/8000 down the road and learn how to do your own honing.

If you're in WV, you can order some soaps from Colleen Shaving, Bath and Body, Skincare, Home Fragrance, Brushes, Creams, Soaps. She's in WV as well. She makes great soaps and is a joy to deal with. See the big thread in the Vendor's Corner "Colleen's Soap's" or something like that. Take your time and enjoy. I also can't say enough about Lynn's DVD "The World of Straight Razors". It gives a great overview and isn't very expensive.

Jordan

Please don't take that barber's advice to heart (well meaning though it probably is). What I wouldn't give to shave with just one of any of my Grandfather's razors…? He's right though, 'you might cut yourself', I've managed to get some nasty slices from reading a book before.