Thread: Coming Down From The High Of A Manic Buying Spree...

...to find that I've bought a Bartman single beveled straight. I'm a absolute Newbie to wet shaving so forgive the naivete, but how do I hone and strop this thing? Is it exactly the same as I would a double beveled razor? I'd rather not ruin the blade, state of the art strop, practice strop, or four-sided pasted paddle strop I've aquired.

Ya I went nuts in the last two weeks including studying this board 5 hours a day. I have a sizable pile of creams, soaps, aftershaves, and styptic pencils/gels as well; and I haven't even straight razor shaved yet. I think I need medical help.

Welcome to SRP. I know about 'coming down from a buying spree'. I'm an expert on that. What you have gotten if it is a single bevel folding razor is a microtome. They are meant for slicing tissue samples.

Here is a post that I made on honing a microtome successfully to shave with. I would suggest it would be better for you to get a standard double hollow and start shaving with that. If you buy one pre honed that is your best bet.

Save the microtome for when you've gotten some honing under your belt and feel confident in your ability.

Thanks Jimmy

Do you mean a microtome or a standard straight with a double bevel as opposed to a single. I didn't think Bartmann made the medical razors.

If you mean a normal razor with a double bevel you would apply a couple layers of tape to the spine when you hone or touch-up. With a single bevel you just use either 1 layer of tape if you want to protect the spine or none at all. Those medical razors, if that's what it is is really a one sided razor and they are not intended for shaving though several guys have used them. Honing that is another story.

This is a 6/8 Original Bartmann Japanese Style Single Bevel Square Point -with stainless steel handles. I have two other normal razors on the way.

That is what JimmyHD was referring to, a microtome, flat grind on one side of the blade and concave grind on the other side.

Originally Posted by randydance062449

That is what JimmyHD was referring to, a microtome, flat grind on one side of the blade and concave grind on the other side.

And here is how it works......sample goes into tube. Interior piston elevates sample to desired thickness via crank. Flat side of microtome lies against top of tube and, slice! Sample cut to measure!

After you start shaving for awhile and realize what you like/don't like, remember that this site has a really good classified section for buying/selling razors,

-Chief