Thread: Starting with a question

This is my first post as I come to the SRP after returning to wet shaving and DE/SE razors a couple of years ago after some years away (cartridges!). Inevitably I have become interested in straight razors and acquired my first razor from an Edinburgh junk shop a few months ago for a couple of pounds. It appears to be an undistinguished but useable Spanish relic with "EXTRA" on the tang, Garantizado, No14 and AF on the tang. I thought it might be useful for learning honing skills. But I have just noticed a column of tiny inscriptions (25 in all) on one of the plastic scales; they can only be seen clearly under a lens and would challenge photographic representation. I thought at first these might be dates for honing in the manner that clocks or watches are inscribed for servicing but they do not fit a consistent pattern. The first 3 inscriptions are 11704, 5088, 11944 then continue in similar random vein; they appear to be in the same hand. The only other solution I could think of is that these were "receipt numbers" used by the honer? Has anybody else seen this?

Although doing your own honing is a very laudable goal, I recommend you try to find someone around you who can put a proper edge on your razor. Otherwise you could easily fall into the trap of trying figure out what the real problem is, technique or razor edge. Honing and shaving are two skillsets that will come with time. If at all possible it's best to start your journey in straight razor shaving with a known good edge. You can focus on developing your shaving skills. Then you can work on your honing skills.

Welcome to the forum. My wife spent much of her childhood in Kelso. I'm no expert and someone more experienced may have the answer you need. If you are just starting out it may make more sense to purchase a shave ready razor from a specialist. Starting with a razor of unknown steel quality that you have sharpened yourself may put you off cutthroats forever.

Yes, you are both absolutely right and I should have qualified my remarks by saying that subsequently I have acquired a vintage Bismarck (boxed and apparently unused, I hope to post a photograph of this soon) which has been sent off for specialist honing. I had taken note of the advice often posted here about starting off with a shave-ready straight and knowing what the shave should be like then if adventurous enough I would investigate the art of honing.

Thanks for your comments.

This is all true but I think learning to hone your razor is invaluable. Since the razor you described doesn't sound like a collectors item I think you should go ahead and give it a try. Take a look at some of the forums about honing and take a wack at it. Just my humble opinion.

I am a newbie and i plan to buy a couple hones to touch up my razor that lynn honed, I am happy i got a prehoned razor so that when i start honing i know at least what it should feel like...if you dont know you may think its sharp and isnt ...and thus hate straight shaving...

Am I the only one who is more interested in the column of numbers?

Very interesting, please post if you find out more about them, or if you are some how able to get a picture of them.

Originally Posted by lordjohn

...I have just noticed a column of tiny inscriptions (25 in all) on one of the plastic scales; they can only be seen clearly under a lens and would challenge photographic representation. I thought at first these might be dates for honing in the manner that clocks or watches are inscribed for servicing but they do not fit a consistent pattern. The first 3 inscriptions are 11704, 5088, 11944 then continue in similar random vein; they appear to be in the same hand. The only other solution I could think of is that these were "receipt numbers" used by the honer? Has anybody else seen this?

probably some kind of WW2 spy's secret code

I took a photo of this razor but I do not know if the numbers will come out on the representation here (or whether I can successfully add the attachment!). The numbers run down the left-hand upper side for about 2cm adjacent to the pin. Each set of numbers must be less than 1 mm in height and must have been inscribed under a lens I would imagine. The only explanation I have is that they were ID numbers when the razor was honed but there was obviously no concern over the state of the scales when this was done. I guess the razor had no particular value to the owner other than for the everyday task of shaving so appearance was of no concern. But presumably this was a common practice for some honers years ago.

If the shot doesn't appear I have omitted to do something in the routine for attachments

I can't see any numbers on the picture, but have no idea what they are.
For a huge fee I would, of course, perform rigorous analysis and I'll probably come up with some interesting properties of the series
I'll have to think what is the next razor I want to have and set my fee accordingly....