Thread: expense for a beginner?...

Hello and welcome!

Singlewedge is right about the touch-up hone. It's all that you'll ever need assuming you get the razor honed the first time. A pasted strop would also suffice for touch-ups also.

But hones last for a looong time. If you do get a hone for touch-ups, ex. a barber hone or coticule, you won't wear it out.

And +1 what gregs656 said about the equipment retaining value. A well maintained strop, hone, and razor holds it value, and should be able to upload the equipment here over the classifieds if you do choose to sell.

That said, I really hope you don't sell all your equipment!

Originally Posted by StraightRazorDave

That said, I really hope you don't sell all your equipment!

He won't!

Thanks so far guys much appreciated.

Dave, I would probably buy my razor online, so would that not be honed before they sell it?.

I was just under the impression you had to strop and hone before each shave or at least every couple of shaves to keep the blade sharp so it performs to its potential???.

Originally Posted by Trotter

Thanks so far guys much appreciated.

Dave, I would probably buy my razor online, so would that not be honed before they sell it?.

I was just under the impression you had to strop and hone before each shave or at least every couple of shaves to keep the blade sharp so it performs to its potential???.

Some places sell honed and shave ready razors, others do not... I *think* the majority of the sites advertised on SRP sell shave ready razors....but you should check to make sure. Have you checked out the classifieds? most of those are sold shave ready and are quite a bit cheaper than buying from retail stores.

You have to Strop before every shave to keep the edge on the razor. Honing is only done after a lot of use, like singlewedge said you can go 6-8 months without honing. By that time you will know if straight shaving is for you or not.

Originally Posted by Trotter

Thanks so far guys much appreciated.

Dave, I would probably buy my razor online, so would that not be honed before they sell it?.

I was just under the impression you had to strop and hone before each shave or at least every couple of shaves to keep the blade sharp so it performs to its potential???.

You *should* strop before each shave, but thats only for longevity of the edge's sake. Not necessary per se. Classifieds on a razor site is the cheapest option. If you don't find anything, pm me.

Cheapest way to "hone" is to buy some crox and a balsa wood piece.