Basic questions.

Hello folks, I've thought about using a Straight Razor for some time,

funnily enough it only ever occurs to me whilst I'm actually shaving,

after shaving the thought passes and never returns until the next

shave. Well today is different, Ive remembered after my shave and

decided to do some research, and the result is... I've arrived here! Never

in my wildest imagination did I think there would be a whole gang of

guys and girls signed up on a forum for Straight Razor Shaving!

I've quickly realised that there's a whole lot more to open razor

shaving than first meets the eye! I'd better cut to the chase.

I'm gonna pull the trigger on a Dovo‘Best Quality’ razor and a basic

Dovo Paddle Strop from Dovo Razors UK (I'm in Scotland) I understand that

the razor is 'shave ready' and I'm assuming that all it will need is a bit

of stropping to keen the edge before use. Can anyone see any problems

with my choice's so far? While I'm ordering I think I'll pick up a

honing stone for the future, and this is where I'm a bit stuck... what

stone, and what grit for maintaining a new razor. How about the Naniwa

8k super stone? Is there one stone that would to do the job?

Many thank for any advice.

kev

They do supply their razors shave ready and even offer a sharpening service if you decide to get yourself a second razor from eBay, or elsewhere. I'd stick to your paddle strop for now and read the wiki on hones before jumping in there. You won't need a hone for a while anyway and I'm only now looking at hones, three weeks after starting shaving with a straight razor. The razor might have a little oil on it to help preserve it, so just rinse that off, give it a wipe and you shouldn't even have to strop for your first shave. You don't mention what brush and soap, or cream, you're using for a lather. I'd read the wiki on preparing for your shave too as that is just as important as anything else if you want a good shave.

Other than that, you have found the ideal place to get advice and encouragement!

Danny's right and the Invisible Edge do give great service. A finishing stone like a coticule or Barber's hone is all you'll need to maintain the edge that your new razor will come with unless you do something very strange with it, at which point you're better off sending it back to Steve and he'll put it right. Again, for now you don't really need to worry about hones, you will in the future but if you hang around here for long enough you'll be able to absorb the information anyway. Paddle strops work well but I soon found that I wanted a hanging one. With the paddles rest the far end on something solid (eg a window ledge) when using. Other than that the rules are the same, little to no pressure and keep the spine in contact at all times or at least when moving the blade over the surface. There's loads of useful information in the SRP Wiki on stropping and most other aspects but ask questions anyway, it's a really good and generous bunch here.

Good luck and have fun, there is a learning curve, most of don't get good shaves right off the bat but the learning is part of the enjoyment.

Thanks Danny, I'm one of these guys that shaves in the bath after a 10min soak and always use a Badger and bristle brush with simple soap to work up a lather.

That's

the way I was intending to go with the straight razor...but I'll continue reading up in the Wiki in the mean time.

Thanks Allan.... who would have thought that there was so much to know about shaving:)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KCurry

Thanks Allan.... who would have thought that there was so much to know about shaving:)

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Indeed. I think it may be the ultimate tactile hobby.

Welcome to SRP Kev,

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KCurry

I'm gonna pull the trigger on a Dovo‘Best Quality’ razor and a basic

Dovo Paddle Strop from Dovo Razors UK (I'm in Scotland) I understand that

the razor is 'shave ready' and I'm assuming that all it will need is a bit

of stropping to keen the edge before use. Can anyone see any problems

with my choice's so far?

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I don't see problems with that. Most people prefer hanging strops for daily stropping, but a paddle strop would work well too. It's probably more newbie friendly too since there's no sagging. May need a bit more strokes, but I can't really tell how much since I haven't used one for regular stropping. But I have quite a few vintage paddle strops which tells me that when this way of shaving was more wide spread it was a perfectly adequate method of keeping your edge keen.

And yeah hold off on a hone for now. Read some more in the next weeks until you realize there are dozens of options that will all work and at the end you just have to make a fairly uneducated pick of one or few of them... Have fun

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KCurry

I'm one of these guys that shaves in the bath after a 10min soak

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You might want to rethink that for the straight. If you drop it, you might lop your widger right off! :eek:

Don't worry about a hone right now. You won't need one for a while & when you do you'll have a better idea of what you want.

I prefer hanging strops. They are more of the standard for your plain strop round here, but that's just my choice.

Steve at Invisible edge is a member here (blue principle) & has a good reputation.

Thanks Gugi.

Ben thanks...you just might be on to something there. Maybe I should look into a one fingered chain mail glove:)

If you find one, make sure it's stainless, or it'll go rusty. Good luck!

You're about to get some super great shaves if that blade really is shave ready and by that I mean hand honed by a straight razor shaver who knows the difference and not what the box claims off the assembly line.

Stones and soaps. pastes and paddles, there really are a lot of choices and they're almost all good ones. You have to find what will work best for you, but don't sweat it. Those great shaves are just a stropping away.

X

Kev,
Welcome !
That is a good combo to start with - I started with the Dovo Best 1/2 hollow, and the Dovo hanging strop, both from InvisibleEdge (DovoRazors UK). Steves' service is superb, as are his honing skills. That razor is still one of my favourites. If you need a hone to just touch up the edge, I would suggest a Naniwa 12k instead of the 8k

best regards

Russ

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KCurry

Thanks Danny, I'm one of these guys that shaves in the bath after a 10min soak and always use a Badger and bristle brush with simple soap to work up a lather.

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Not sure what you mean by simple soap, but it would be a crime not to try some Taylors of Old Bond Street shaving cream.
Taylors of Old Bond Street - shaving, straight edge razor, aftershave, mens gifts, luxury gifts, skin products
Look for the Shaving cream in a bowl (150g).
They last forever so they work out cheap. I bought 3 to make postage worthwhile. The avocado one seems to have a fraction more glide, but the almond and rose types smell great (almond smells like marzipan!) I've heard the others smell great too.

I bought a razor from The Invisible Edge, sister site to Dovo Razors UK, and it was a good shaver, so no worries there.

They also do the Naniwa stones you mentioned. If all you want to do is maintain the edges you could go straight for the 12K hone. The downsides are it is a bit more expensive, and isn't really suitable for repairing chips or dings.

Dovo Special Tortoise
Best Badger Brush
3" Latigo Leather/Canvass Strop
Added a 4 sided strop with pastes - This is key in keeping my Dovo Special sharp.

The only extra items I have today.... another higher end Dovo and a disposable straight blade razor.

I am very happy with this set up. Good Luck with yours.

Pabster

Thanks for the info guys thats great. I'm just ready to pull the trigger and get started.
Rajagra, I've mostly used the brand 'Simple Soap' or 'Dove' because its creamy.
You've got me thinking about those soaps from Taylor's...they sound like must have little luxuries...btw I'm not usually a luxury soap kind of dude you know;-) And you guys think the 12k to be more suitable for my needs...I'll grab one.
Pabster, I'll have a look at the 3" Latigo.

kev