Thread: Just getting started

Hi everyone, I guess the forum with "newbies" in the title is the right place for me, so here goes!

I've just recently gotten into straight-razor shaving... for years I've tried using those disposable-head triple-blade things, and always end up with a raw face, and a poor shave. I've got rather coarse facial hair, and very sensitive skin... not a great combination. As such, I usually end up sporting an itchy beard, which I actually hate.

Recently, I tried straight-razor shaving, as sort of a "last resort" My wife and I decided to start cheap, just to try it out, with the Dovo Shavette. It was like night and day! It was literally like wiping the beard off my face with a towel! Needless to say, I was sold!

Now, a few weeks later, for our 2nd anniversary, she's surprised me with an actual straight razor (the website said "Dovo" but this says Col Ichabod Conk, which I've heard is basically a Dovo under a different name?), along with a linen/leather strop, some strop dressing from Fromm and this stone-on-a-paddle thing that also says Col. Ichabod Conk on it. It's my understanding that before use, this razor will need to be honed, and I'm trying to wade through the huge amount of information on the wiki here, but honestly feel a bit overwhelmed! So many new terms to learn, and whatnot.

I know my next step is to get this thing sharp, but I'm honestly a bit at a loss. Is that what this stone/paddle thing is for? Or is that a bad idea? A lot of places say to get it professionally honed... what sort of places do this? How can I find one in my area?

I know this is a lot of questions all at once, but I wanna make sure I do all this right!

Thanks!

Professional honing is basically to send it to one of the guys who advertise in the vendors section here. Where abouts in the world are you? There might be someone close by, but you might have to post it - which is no big deal.

I would suggest you don't try and do it your self, for no other reason than it would be a shame for you to get it wrong and you're not really sure what to aim for until you've felt one shave ready from the pros.

It is a bit overwhelming, there is a lot of information, but it's quite well organised so you should be able to focus in on the area you need quite quickly. Really all you need to learn is stropping for now. I would suggest you take the blade out of the shavette and go through the stopping motion - it's not difficult.

Good luck

I've just realised - where did you buy it from, some places hone up their razors before shipping them out.

She ordered from amazingshaving.com I think. We're in the the California Bay Area, though sending it out by post isn't that big a deal for me.

Eventually, I'd definitely like to learn all aspects of this, including honing, but I think you're right... until I know what I'm aiming for, how will I know if I've got it right?

Thanks for the information!

Of course. It makes sense to have another razor anyway, just in case you nick a blade on the faucet or something - choose wisely and you can learn all you need to know on that second razor.

I'm not sure who is over that way, I'm sure someone is though.

welcome to srp,

the links in my sticky post at the top of this section are pretty good place to start.
as far as honing goes look in the classifieds (3rd button on the menuboar) and member services under that.

enjoy

welcome to the forum. i just started as well, and you definitely came to the right place for advice. everyone here is super helpful!

Get your razor honed by someone here at SRP. While you are awaiting the return of your razor be sure to study the wiki. Youll love the camraderie of SRP, stick around it only gets better.

Welcome to SRP. My first str8 was a Col Conk. I got the Col Conk hone and strop with it. The hone is too coarse to get your str8 shave ready, so send it out to a hone meister. The strop is a good starter strop. My Col Conk razor is still in my rotation of 6 razors, although I have to touch it up on chrome oxide paste frequently. Keep us posted on your progress.