GF's old blade

Printable View

04-09-2009, 12:53 AM
lowrideriggi

GF's old blade

Just finished my first full face shave with my grandfathers "Union Cutlery, Improved Southern Queen" straight razor made in Union City GA. I have been attempting to get the razor in shape since my Dad gave me a very old blue paper bag that held it, a black honing stone with "Raven" on it and two brushes. He said it was my Granddads and had'nt been used in 40-50 years.
I had played around scraping on a flat spot on my face until I got it sharp enough to do a fair job. When I got through this evening I drinched my face in Old Spice After Shave. One mole paid the price but I'm still learning.
I did learn that Old Spice shave cream acts like glue when useing a straight razor. Especially when it's been heated.
Got to get some proper shaving soap and a good strp next. As of now I pan to make this a life long practice.
04-09-2009, 01:16 AM
Mike257

Welcome to SRP
04-09-2009, 01:29 AM
onimaru55

Welcome & congrats on your first !
04-09-2009, 03:56 AM
Tonsor

Welcome to SRP,

I love Old Spice AS, but you must get rid of the canned goo. Even inexpensive soaps like Van der Haagen, Colgate, or Williams will put it to shame. And making lather with a brush is fun. :gl:
04-09-2009, 03:58 AM
gugi

welcome to srp.

it'll be wise to spend the $15-$20 to get that razor properly honed. visit the basic honing section and you'll find out why.
04-09-2009, 04:17 AM
JimmyHAD

Welcome to SRP. There is a wealth of information in the SRP Wiki here and there are tutorial videos on all aspects of straight razor shaving here. Very cool to be able to shave with your grandpa's razor. :gl:
04-09-2009, 04:17 AM
Mike7120

Welcome to SRP!

That's really cool that your grandfather's shaving gear has been kept in the family. It must be nice to shave with your grandfather's blade.
04-09-2009, 05:53 AM
cessnabird

Welcome to SRP. I am excited for you just hearing your story. Happy shaving! Jeremy-
04-09-2009, 06:09 AM
Spatterdash

Welcome, very cool story!

I gotta ask, though... am I the only one that read the title of this thread and thought "'Girlfriend's Old Blade'? This should be an amusing thread!"
04-09-2009, 09:20 AM
AlanII

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spatterdash

Welcome, very cool story!

I gotta ask, though... am I the only one that read the title of this thread and thought "'Girlfriend's Old Blade'? This should be an amusing thread!"

I echo this post in every particular.
04-09-2009, 12:19 PM
lowrideriggi

Made ya look, didn't it Spatterdash.
04-09-2009, 12:39 PM
pio

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlanII

I echo this post in every particular.

LOL...i concur...
04-09-2009, 12:47 PM
pjrage

Welcome! That's awesome that you've got your Granddad's old stuff.

+1 on getting the razor properly honed! Might be the perfect time to do this while you are waiting for a shipment of new soap/cream/strop.
04-09-2009, 02:55 PM
chee16

[quote=Spatterdash;360346I gotta ask, though... am I the only one that read the title of this thread and thought "'Girlfriend's Old Blade'? This should be an amusing thread!"[/quote]

EXACTLY! reading the first couple answers i thought i was crazy. how cool would it be if you started dating a girl and she gives you an extra straight razor she doesn't use anymore? my G/F would never touch a SR.

BTW, welcome and congrats on the family heirloom, i would get it honed by a pro to start. but i would also buy another from the Classifieds so that your never without a SR. i may be addicted though:D
04-10-2009, 12:17 AM
lowrideriggi

Shave #2 Wiyh GRANDFATHERS old blade

I'm feeling more comfortable with my techneque the second time around but it is like scaping a playing card across my face. Does anybody have or use a pro honer they recommend? How much can I expect to spend and how often will I need this done?
04-10-2009, 08:09 AM
AlanII

Have a look in the classifieds. There are a number of members here who both offer honing services and have very good reputations. Once your blade's up to speed you can almost certainly keep it there yourself with a decent barber's hone or other finishing hone, eg a coticule.
04-10-2009, 09:42 AM
onimaru55

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowrideriggi

I'm feeling more comfortable with my techneque the second time around but it is like scaping a playing card across my face.

Noticed you used the word 'scraping' in your first post also.
You're not literally scraping the razor across your face are you ??? It should be just about flat on your face.
04-10-2009, 12:04 PM
spoulsen

Quote:

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Noticed you used the word 'scraping' in your first post laso.
You're not literally scraping the razor across your face are you ??? It should be just about flat on your face.

I find this is a hard thing for me to do at times, especially ATG. It's psychological as I have to get over the image that laying it flat will peel my skin like a knife piece of fruit. I figure time will work this out, as I learn more about the ability of the blade with each shave.
04-10-2009, 02:11 PM
lowrideriggi

Quote:

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Noticed you used the word 'scraping' in your first post laso.
You're not literally scraping the razor across your face are you ??? It should be just about flat on your face.

This was an improper metaphor, sorry. The blade is basically flat on my face as I use it. Last night I used actual saving soap I bought at a local drug store and that made a huge difference over the airisol can. I used the word scrap to discribe a lack of a proper hone on the edge. When I look at the edge in a bright light it shows no shinny spots at all. Its just not quite right yet.
04-10-2009, 04:08 PM
xman

Welcome, lowrideriggi

Using a family heirloom to shave with is a dream I will never be able to reach. Congrats!

X
04-10-2009, 08:59 PM
commiecat

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowrideriggi

Just finished my first full face shave with my grandfathers "Union Cutlery, Improved Southern Queen" straight razor made in Union City GA. I have been attempting to get the razor in shape since my Dad gave me a very old blue paper bag that held it, a black honing stone with "Raven" on it and two brushes. He said it was my Granddads and had'nt been used in 40-50 years.
I had played around scraping on a flat spot on my face until I got it sharp enough to do a fair job. When I got through this evening I drinched my face in Old Spice After Shave. One mole paid the price but I'm still learning.
I did learn that Old Spice shave cream acts like glue when useing a straight razor. Especially when it's been heated.
Got to get some proper shaving soap and a good strp next. As of now I pan to make this a life long practice.

Newbie with similar story. Had been talking to my wife about SR shaving for a while so she got me some gear for Xmas. When I explained the gift to my folks, my mom went and got her grandfather's razor which she had kept. It's a Novelty Cutlery, Co. blade and was in pretty good shape for having been stored for so long. I cleaned it up a bit at home and then sent it to GSSIXGUN to be really shined and honed.

I love using it now. Shortly after I got it back they had the themed SOTD thread, so I posted my pic there:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...e1826-sotd.jpg

The honemeisters might be a bit apprehensive about honing an heirloom so make sure you let them know the razor's background. I got my blade back from GSSIXGUN probably about 5 weeks ago and it still shaves like you wouldn't believe. He has my recommendation.
04-10-2009, 09:09 PM
AlanII

Quote:

Originally Posted by xman

Using a family heirloom to shave with is a dream I will never be able to reach. Congrats!

X

I can't imagine that the possibilities of you attaining that possibility are more remote than mine, X-Man. You gotta have a dream. I'd love to glide Granddad's blade across my face. Maybe, one day, I'll find that piece of furniture with the secret drawer meant just for me, replete with perfect shaver. We've got have a dream:tu.
04-11-2009, 04:57 AM
onimaru55

Quote:

Originally Posted by spoulsen

I find this is a hard thing for me to do at times, especially ATG. It's psychological as I have to get over the image that laying it flat will peel my skin like a knife piece of fruit. I figure time will work this out, as I learn more about the ability of the blade with each shave.

It is particularly scary when the blade sticks to your face :eek::D but as you say it's psychological & you'll get over it... especially when you see your shaves improving.
04-11-2009, 05:06 AM
onimaru55

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowrideriggi

This was an improper metaphor, sorry. The blade is basically flat on my face as I use it. Last night I used actual saving soap I bought at a local drug store and that made a huge difference over the airisol can. I used the word scrap to discribe a lack of a proper hone on the edge. When I look at the edge in a bright light it shows no shinny spots at all. Its just not quite right yet.

I suppose you consulted the 'oracle' ie Wiki re honing.
It's not rocket science but it's not learnt overnight either.
Help is always at hand on SRP if you get stuck. :gl:
04-11-2009, 02:06 PM
colorado

I have some of my great grandfather's tools but no razor.

Enjoy and welcome to SRP.
04-11-2009, 09:47 PM
lowrideriggi

The more I shave the more I look forward to the next one.

I have past the threshold. I know straight razor shaving is what I'm going to do from now on. Yes I've drawn blood, yes I've had razor burn but there is somthing so satisfying and relaxing about the wet shave that I will never buy another multy blade again.
Thanks for all the input. I will now start growing my gear collection. Slowly but surely, piece by piece.
04-12-2009, 03:15 AM
onimaru55

"Resistance is futile"
Welcome to the addiction :)
04-12-2009, 12:03 PM
spoulsen

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowrideriggi

Last night I used actual saving soap I bought at a local drug store and that made a huge difference over the airisol can.

My shaving soap/mug/brush is the slowest piece to arrive by mail. I am encouraged that my shave will improve once it arrives. Right now the chin is near impossible for me with a can of goo-gel.
04-12-2009, 07:19 PM
lowrideriggi

Quote:

Originally Posted by spoulsen

My shaving soap/mug/brush is the slowest piece to arrive by mail. I am encouraged that my shave will improve once it arrives. Right now the chin is near impossible for me with a can of goo-gel.

Yea, Bro Spoulsen. That canned cream is treacherous stuff with a straight razor. I can't believe anything in an aerosol can was ever designed for our type of shaving.:thinking:
04-13-2009, 12:52 AM
lowrideriggi

Quote:

Originally Posted by onimaru55

I suppose you consulted the 'oracle' ie Wiki re honing.
It's not rocket science but it's not learnt overnight either.
Help is always at hand on SRP if you get stuck. :gl:

Honing is a skill I want to aquire. I know it's not the same as sharpening a knife but the thought appeals to my independent nature.:cool:
04-13-2009, 02:08 AM
onimaru55

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowrideriggi

Honing is a skill I want to aquire. I know it's not the same as sharpening a knife but the thought appeals to my independent nature.:cool:

Ditto on the independent nature. Kinda completes the process for me too.
04-13-2009, 03:14 AM
TheBeardedCommodore

Welcome to SRP!!!