Thread: Intro and plea for help

So I recently became obsessed, for a variety of reasons, with learning to shave with a straight razor. I had already purchased a pretty sketchy looking one from an antique shop as a lark, never really intending on shaving with it, but then today a miracle happened.

I was discussing my new-found obsession with my boss after which he produced a Dovo Best Quality and strop that he had purchased some years earlier and never used. This brings me to the questions:

1. I'm about 97% sure the blade isn't shave ready and it also has some oxidation or pitting or something on it. I know I need to get it honed and/or restored, but I was really hoping to not have to ship it anywhere to do so. Does anyone on this forum either a) live in the Houston area and offer restoring/honing services or b) know someone or place in said area that does.

2. What else do I really need? I've read about brushes, soaps, and stropping pastes and more. Which of the various accoutrement is actually essential to have before I embark on my first shave?




Please forgive any faux pas I may have commited in this post, but after spending some time searching the forum I wasn't really able to find a definitive answer to these questions.


thanks,
- Mashoujiki

i cant help you with who to get your razor honed by, but you should look into some good shave soap, a brush, and a strop for starters. i wouldnt bother with any pastes or hones just yet. i'm also new to SR shaving, and from what i've read us newbs shouldnt really try to hone our own razor until we can effectively strop it. i hope that helps. you should be able to find some answers in the wiki

Main Page - Straight Razor Place Wiki

and welcome to the forum!

First of all welcome!

I have read a lot of posts and noticed a few from the Houston area but do not know if any of them do honing, however , shipping is not that much $2-7.
Also there is a member Utopian who is offering honing just for for the cost of the shipping. I think ha has his quota but may be having a sign up list for the future. He is very good as I have had one done by him and it's fantastic.

Do your self a favor and send that razor out to honing
Most Guys charge 20 dollers + return shipping
Best investment you will make
Forget about strop paste
First learn to strop correctly..Start out with any soap dosen't have to be expensive. You can find a nice soap for about 3 to 5 dollers a cake . I have seen boars hair brushes for about 6.99 in wallgreens . Its not the best but it will get you started. Start cheap because you might find out its not for you .
Hope this helps you
and Happy Shaving

I'd be willing to hone it for free but I really don't have the time to do much in the way of restoration right now. (I have to build a gym for my wife, remodel our bathroom and kitchen, and prepare for her sister to move in with us for school in the fall) You'll want to get it cleaned up before the honing as the sanding and polishing will
a) potentially dull your edge and
b) be much more dangerous with a sharp edge.

As far as the quota goes, I am way beyond the three razor limit. I'm just hoping to keep up with them as they come in.

Originally Posted by mashoujiki

2. What else do I really need? I've read about brushes, soaps, and stropping pastes and more. Which of the various accoutrement is actually essential to have before I embark on my first shave?

Beginner's guide to straight razor shaving - Straight Razor Place Wiki should have most, if not all, of the information you will need to get started.

Originally Posted by mashoujiki

Please forgive any faux pas I may have commited in this post, but after spending some time searching the forum I wasn't really able to find a definitive answer to these questions.

There are no definitive answers here. We strive at perfection, but hardly ever manage. Now then, welcome to SRP. Stick around, there is a lot of fun to be had here.

Get your razor honed then get a strop ....

buy a cheap boar brush from walgreens or walmart and then PM me ...

I can send you a sample of Mama Bear Shave soap to get you started...

Get the razor honed, invest in a strop and then pick up some shave soap and a brush from a local retailer. In the week you will be awaiting the return of your razor, study the wiki and threads. When the razor returns, youll be ready.

Great post, I'm a fifty-two and found a similar interest and questions, too. Must have something to do with my paternal GF and watching him use the cup, brush and SR in the 60's and 70's with the bathroom door open, and his imparting enjoyment during the task without saying a word.

John

Check the classifieds, under member services, for honemeisters. It's worth every penny charged. A strop is a must, too. Check out the Vendor's Corner forum below for one.