Thread: First Straight Razor Shave

Hi James,

Welcome to the straight path.. I'm not sure I would go and hone my own razor just before my second shave. You will just bring another variable in the equation. I would recommend sending the razor to one of the pros to get honed so you know it is shave ready. then work on your technique and when the time comes hone your own razor. Another option is to buy a shavready razor from the classifieds.

I started with a shavette, which is very unforgiving btw, but that got the sharpness of the razor out of the equation. Now I have 2 shaveready straights and I'm honing my first..

Well what ever you do .. have fun!

Maarten

Welcome to SRP. Classic Shaving sells shave ready Dovos, but not all of their Dovos are shave ready. I got a shave ready Dovo from CS for Christmas and it is a great shaver. Check your invoice. If it says your Dovo was shave ready, you're set. Otherwise, send it out to a honemeister to get it shave ready. This will give you a baseline for how sharp your str8 should be. You have enough to learn right now without adding another variable (honing) to the mix.

It will all begin to fall into place soon. Enjoy.

Dave

Originally Posted by Tonsor

Welcome to SRP. Classic Shaving sells shave ready Dovos, but not all of their Dovos are shave ready. I got a shave ready Dovo from CS for Christmas and it is a great shaver. Check your invoice. If it says your Dovo was shave ready, you're set. Otherwise, send it out to a honemeister to get it shave ready. This will give you a baseline for how sharp your str8 should be. You have enough to learn right now without adding another variable (honing) to the mix.

It will all begin to fall into place soon. Enjoy.

Dave

I would love to send it out to get it done by a professional. The only thing is, is that I am in Kuwait. The barbers here do not use the kind of straight razor we use. They use a $3 straight razor looking thing that they use flexible disposable blades in. I am not sure if I can get it sharpened here or not, but I will inquire.

I may just have to learn fast.

Originally Posted by jamesmorrisq88

I would love to send it out to get it done by a professional. The only thing is, is that I am in Kuwait. The barbers here do not use the kind of straight razor we use. They use a $3 straight razor looking thing that they use flexible disposable blades in. I am not sure if I can get it sharpened here or not, but I will inquire.

That could put a crimp in things for logistics. You might want to read through the Hones section of the forum and give them a few details (like your current location) and ask for help.

We will pray for your safe return. I also have a son in that area...

Here is what I recommend: send your current straight to Lynn Abrams for honing, will take some time but its worth the time and dollars involved. In the meantime buy one of those local straights. While its not the same type as forum members use it still demands many of the same skills as the true straight does and is an excellent teacher. Also look for one of the traditional barbars in your area. No doubt that your area has some traditionalists around who do not do things the same way that most barbers do, rather opting to do things the traditional methods. Here in Washington, DC my problem is much as the same you - DC folks have been conned into using disposables or cartridge shavers, straights are around but hard to find. Most barbers in the area while make a living with an electric do understand how to use a straight and if requested will use one. I think that the barbers in your area while they make their living with the cheep straight will understand what to do with one of your types if they need to. DC has some knife sharpeners, they are rare but they are around and they will know what to do with the straight, I have employed one to hone mine. After five minutes of head scratching the man finally recalled what to do with it amd I think that your area will have some knife sharpeners.