New Beginnings :)

So I've been interested in changing my shaving style for a quite a while now and straight razors have always intrigued me. My only problem is there's just so much to learn! This site has taught me a lot, but I have a few requests.

If I do this and make the jump to straight razors I want to go full out in the simplest way I can. By this I mean I want to obtain a simple razor and commodities for a reasonable price and all the equipment I will need to keep it in tip-top shape. I'm somewhat of an avid knife collector and I have some sharpening stones but none that will fit the bill for a razor. Razors look like different animals to sharpen completely (I could use some advice here). Also any good starter razors that are slightly more user friendly so I don't come out of my first shave looking like I had a boxing match with Wolverine? In fact, just throw anything at me on what I should be looking for.

Back to the hunt for more info on these old yet stylish razors.

Thanks again,
Thom

Per AFDavis's request I shall summarize my questions

Razor Recommendation?
Strop Recommendation?
Barber Hone?
How is sharpening a razor different than say my Kershaw Leek?

Thanks again

I lost track of what your questions were . . . welcome to the forum.

I would suggest starting with a round point. Honing is an art, avoid it with a shave ready razor from the forum first. Get a barber hone and strop.

Edited with a summary of what I was asking in a nicer to read format. Thanks AFDavis!

Welcome Aboard!You should read all the beginner articles in the wiki,get a shave-ready razor from the classifieds,an inexpensive strop,and try it out before you invest a lot of cash in accessories,only to find out it's not for you.

Thats better, thanx. My sponsors prevents me from recommending specific razors! :)

If a Kershaw Leek is a knife its nothing like honing a razor.

I like the strops at SRD, very good stuff. I like Dovo strops too, personally, I like super thin pliable strops.

I like simple, basic Dovo razors too. NOT TIs.

But my opinions are NOT important. This would be like recommending Honda over Toyota or Chevy over Ford. Its so subjective.

I would recommending posting where you live. Maybe you can go meet a member . . .

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Originally Posted by AFDavis11

I would recommending posting where you live. Maybe you can go meet a member . . .

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Hey that'd be awesome! I'm willing to meet someone from my area if they have some advice they can offer and show me some good razors and what to look for. So, my next question is are any of you located close to the Naples, Florida area? :)

At the top of your sceen, in the tool box, find Community. In that tab there is a memebr map. Check your area out.
:gl:
Rick

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Raudrive

At the top of your sceen, in the tool box, find Community. In that tab there is a memebr map. Check your area out.
:gl:
Rick

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No one near my area really :boohoo:

Hi,
I got my starter set from Vintage Blades-- they sell a nice combo kit which includes a new Dovo razor (honed by Lynn), a strop, a mug, and a puck of soap. I chose the Dovo 5/8 full hollow round point. I have several other razors now, but I use the Dovo just about every other day-- it is a real nice blade.

VintageBladesLLC::...

-Chief

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BHChieftain

Hi,
I got my starter set from Vintage Blades-- they sell a nice combo kit which includes a new Dovo razor (honed by Lynn), a strop, a mug, and a puck of soap. I chose the Dovo 5/8 full hollow round point. I have several other razors now, but I use the Dovo just about every other day-- it is a real nice blade.

Vintage*Blades*LLC*::...

-Chief

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Thanks a bunch chief that's exactly what I was looking for.

If you hone knives you'll at least have some idea of the qualities of a good hone or a bad hone unlike me. And yes honing a razor is completely different, but heres what I"m getting at. Barber hones are a crapshoot, and as soon as a "gem" is found, the prices go sky high. So I would suggest maybe buying one, testing it, reselling it, buy another test, resell, etc. At the end of the day, most of them are good, just some are apparently better. That's what I'm gonna do. But razor honing is completely different and quite complicated/needs practice, so I would recommend just starting with a honed razor and strop and picking up the hones once you've got the other stuff down. (very steep learning curve, take baby steps lol)

You're right, there is a lot of information, but don't let it overwhelm you. It's much simpler than it sounds.

Get a refurbished Solingen or Sheffield blade from the classifieds or a reputable eBay seller like altima55 for your first razor. A pasted paddle with 1µ and 0.5µ paste on opposite sides is likely your best way to keep that razor going until you're ready to step up your honing. Straight Razor Designs has some really nice looking strops.

Get going!

X

Thanks a lot for the support everyone this is going to be a blast.