Thread: Another Newbie Checking In

Hello All,
First let me start of by saying how great this website is and how helpful the senior members seem to be you guys are aewsome. I stumbled across this site about a week and a half ago and have been glued to it ever since.

I am getting ready to take the str8 plunge and have decided to go about it the hardest way possible. I have bought two razor's from ebay and am looking at buying a coticule from classicshaving.com and a DMT 8e I think it is as well as a philly strop from Kenrup. I came to this decision after I spent an awful lot of time going through the wiki's reading the posts and watching the video's. I probably will not have these razors honed by a proffessional unless I just can't get one shave ready or until I think I have one shave ready and need a bench mark.

I know this is going against the grain so to speak and against the advice of a lot of people that trully know their stuff (no disrespect intended your views are highly valued by this newbie) but for me it is the experience of learning the process and getting the payoff in the shave. I read a post on this issue and I can't remember who posted it but they talked about today being a time of instant gratification and maybe some of the newbies should start out this way. That entry resonated with me for quite a while because I was already thinking it. I guess I would rather put in the time than take the shortcut. Luckily I have this great resource to turn to!

My equipment list looks like this
Wade and Butcher Standard
Otto Fromm Cutlery Red Head 50 (Like the older ones in the discussion pertaining to these)
Van Der Hagen Soap,Boal, and Boar Brush (Already using working great)
Classic Shaving Coticul
DMT 8e (I am aware of the cautions and break in associated with these)
Philly Strop by Kenrup

I have only purchased the razors and brush kit and am getting ready to purchase the other equipment if I am on the right track. Any inputs would be greatly appreciated.

Welcome to SRP! I am new myself and have enjoyed reading posts and learning a great deal from everyone here.

Welcome to the forums.

Nice choice on the coticule, I still have a BBW/yellow combo stone on my wish list.

welcome to srp

the condition of the razors is more important than the brand names.

i think it would be better if you get the norton hones set instead, but you said you've read enough and have weighed the advantages and disadvantages already.

so yes, your set up can be used to do what you intend.

At first Welcome
everything has been told already. have fun and if you have questions just shoot it . we are answering maniacs in here lol

WELCOME; YOU'VE FOUND THE RIGHT PLACE TO GET YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Welcome to SRP...its a whole lot of fun being a member. Let us know how you progress with your experiences.

Mac

Welcome to SRP.

Unless you go for gugi's suggestion of buying a Norton combo (which I would like to second), you might find this article useful: A simple honing method with DMT-E, Belgian Blue Whetstone and Coticule - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Regards,
Robin

After a little more consideration at Gugi's suggestion I ordered the Amazon Norton kit this morning.

Originally Posted by Bandaid

... I probably will not have these razors honed by a professional unless I just can't get one shave ready or until I think I have one shave ready and need a bench mark.
I know this is going against the grain so to speak and against the advice of a lot of people that truly know their stuff (no disrespect intended your views are highly valued by this newbie) but for me it is the experience of learning the process and getting the payoff in the shave. ...

I think I understand what you're saying here because I had much the same feelings myself. However, I suggest you re-consider the idea that the best way of learning the process might be to have one of your razors honed professionally and shave at least a few times with that one first. Then you will know what it is that you are trying to do in honing your own razors. I also think you need to have at least a 50x microscope to examine the edge of your one professionally-honed razor when first delivered, then after each shave/stropping for about 5 shaves to see how it changes. You will also find this helpful to examine your own edges as you start honing. The Radio Shack el cheapo microscope is good enough for this use.
I wouldn't think of it as a "shortcut" or a "cheat". I just think it's a sensible way to accomplish your goal. IMHO, YMMV, see my sig quote, etc....