Thread: Greetings

Hello,

I wanted to introduce myself and to thank JimR for really helping me understand how to properly use my gear. I can't thank JimR, OLD_SCHOOL and the other members of the forum enough.

I had some experience with safety razors but had never shaved with a straight. About three weeks ago, I bought a new Iwasaki razor (size one), a Japanese non-folding straight forged from Swedish steel by Ryoichi Mizuochi. The handle is wrapped with rattan. I purchased the Iwasaki razor and a whetstone from JAPANESE RAZOR and a Kanayama strop from Eastern Smooth: The Store! (JimR's store). The service from both vendors was great. They took the time to fully and promptly reply to my questions. While I can't judge relative quality, the items are beautiful and the workmanship is obviously high. I would definitely order from them again.

My first shave resulted in four or five nicks and irritated skin. I considered having the razor professionally honed but decided that I would endure some rough shaves and would try to learn how to hone. I have been using a slow Nakayama or Shohonzan toishi (Japanese whetstone). The surface of the whetstone is a glossy khaki color with white nashiji spots. Dark slurry did not develop when I was honing. For every ten back-and-forth strokes on the whetstone with the Japanese characters facing up (ura side up) and the spine pointing away from me, I did one stroke toward me with the Japanese characters facing down (omote side up) and the spine leading. The resulting hone left the Iwasaki moderately sharp but there was tugging around my mustache and chin.

I recently acquired a white Tenjou nagura (Japanese slurry stone) to use with the whetstone. It made a significant difference. Dark slurry developed while honing and the Iwasaki finally passed the hanging hair test. The shave after this honing was the first pleasurable shave I have had with a straight with no tugging around my mustache or chin. I used an alum block and my skin was not irritated.

I still have a long way to go but managing my fear and gaining an almost meditative practice was worth it. Both of my grandfathers shaved with a straight and it feels like I am going home. I'm just not sure how I am going to pack my straight in check-in luggage…

Thanks again to the forum and, of course, to Lynn Abrams for starting it.

ZenEdge

Welcome to SRP, mate, and enjoy your shaves!

Welcome to SRP. I purchased a Japanese straight a week or so ago and I'm going to have it honed by Lynn. Looking forward to hearing more about your experience. Good luck to you.

Originally Posted by keenedge

Welcome to SRP. I purchased a Japanese straight a week or so ago and I'm going to have it honed by Lynn. Looking forward to hearing more about your experience. Good luck to you.

Thanks keenedge. Can't go wrong getting it honed by a master. I liked your post about your grand- and great grand-father's hone by the way.

What make of Japanese straight did you buy?