Off to a rough start.

[VeeDubb65]

After years of thinking it sounded like a good way to shave, I decided to buy myself a straight razor. I've been using soap and a brush to shave with since I was teenager already, and a nice straight razor seemed like it would be fitting in the same home with my tobacco pipe collection and a kitchen that has no microwave or dishwasher, where I bake my own bread.

Anyway, I did lot's of reading about technique before buying, but I didn't read any brand reviews.

So, I hopped on "the big auction site" and picked up a ZeePk strop, ZeePk hone, and a 4 razor set of ZeePk razors.

It goes without saying that the zeepk razors have not gotten anywhere near my face, and never will. I just wish I'd googled for "zeepk razor" BEFORE I purchased.

After a great deal of careful honing, I have gotten ONE of the zeepk razors sharp enough to be used a pocket knife, except that because it's razor thin, and pakistan steel, it would hold an edge as a pocket knife for about 1 good cut, if I was lucky.



Anyway, since all that was COMPLETE garbage, I've decided that on payday I'm going to simply bite the bullet and buy a decent quality new razor, strop and hone.

What I'm considering are the following:

razor - DOVO Straight Razors

strop - Razor Strops, Hones, and Accessories

hone - Razor Strops, Hones, and Accessories

And of course I plan to toss in yellow and white strop paste, as well as some mustache wax. (the wax is completely separate, I just can't find it locally anymore)

My only 2 questions for the moment: Will these serve me well? and, is there anything else in particular that I will need?

Thanks in advance.

[Leighton]

Buy Gugi's strop & razor set in the classifieds. Hurry, it'll go quick.

[welshwizard]

I'm probably not the best person to answer, not being based in the US. A new Dovo razor would be fine to start with, or a good vintage blade,. Starting out it's best to get one 'shave ready'.I'm sure others will advise on the best US vendor for that. The strop looks OK, what you need is a decent inexpensive strop to start with as you may nick it learning to use it. I don't think you really need to buy hones for some time. Perhaps put the money towards Lynn's DVD instead. You've found the best place to get information and friendly advice.

[ben.mid]

Hello & welcome to the forum!
The razor is great.
The strop may need some work to get it up to scratch. I've heard mixed things on the Illinois stuff. Some guys love them & others not. Have you considered something from Tony Miller?
The Well Shaved Gentleman, Heirloom Razor Strop Company, Straight Razor Shaving Supplier He's a member & only ever get's praise.
The stone is the standard recommendation for those starting out. You won't need it for a while & i wouldn't put that new razor anywhere near it till you've had plenty of practise with some ebuy specials.
Don't forget the classifieds.
You won't need anything else & you may not even need the stone right now.

[VeeDubb65]

Buy Gugi's strop & razor set in the classifieds. Hurry, it'll go quick.

Dang you Leighton! I really had planned to wait until payday to buy anything else, but that really did look like an awesome deal, so I went ahead and bought it.


As for not needing a razor any time soon, I know that I won't, or at least not for a month or two, but I plan on honing my own. I have tons of experience honing everything from axes to wool shears to kitchen knives with a diamond honing rod, and razors actually look easier to hone that a lot of things since you get to use the back of the razor to keep the right bevel angle.

[Leighton]

Gugi should give me a commission for that... LOL

Yeah it was a good deal. Norton 8k/4k is a good starter stone, its very popular. They do get finer in grit btw.

And theres coticules, eschers, ceramics, man made water stones.... and pastes. But pastes aren't fun.

[dward]

There are some very nice razors in the classifieds here, as well. It's a great place to find a first razor. The razors will normally be shave ready (will stated so in the ad), and are great values. Kenrup, a member here, sells some excellent starter sets.