Thread: Newbie buying list need suggestions.

FIrst off, I have to say you guys are really quick to help out a newbie. Thanks you all for answering my questions, I was aware of the free honing but thought it would be a good skill to learn since you never know if the site ever goes down. I wouldn't use this razor for learning honing, this was the one I would use to experiment with Kriegar Sharp Stainless Steel Straight Razors for $9.99 Again, thank you all.

I hope you did not buy that kriegar yet.

please familiarize yourself with this:

Brands of Straight Razors to avoid - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Originally Posted by Geo411m

FIrst off, I have to say you guys are really quick to help out a newbie. Thanks you all for answering my questions, I was aware of the free honing but thought it would be a good skill to learn since you never know if the site ever goes down. I wouldn't use this razor for learning honing, this was the one I would use to experiment with Kriegar Sharp Stainless Steel Straight Razors for $9.99 Again, thank you all.

no, I didn't by the test blade yet. I only planned on getting it if/when I was ready to learn honing.

Originally Posted by Geo411m

no, I didn't by the test blade yet. I only planned on getting it if/when I was ready to learn honing.

I can't seem to find it right now but there was a post discussing the use of trash razors for learning to hone on. A number of members seemed to think it was a bad idea.

**EDIT**
I found the post...

http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...ning-hone.html

Geo411, I'm a newbie too!! Just getting started like you.. I have purchased "shave ready" blades from reputable SRP members who have restored the razors I bought and brought them to shave ready condition.. I am not an expert at all.. and so have read a lot and asked a ton of questions... My understanding is that honing is not really necessary for several months to 6 monthis depending on how many razors you shave with..Stropping is however necessary daily for mainenance.. The honing skills come later... I was advised to buy the DVD from Lynn on this sight.. I have watched it 3 times so far and find something new each time.. The section on honing is great! He shows you a lot of hones, technicques etc.. you have a beautiful razor and if it were me, another newbie, I'd learn to hone on something else from the Classifieds on SRP (100% reputable) or ebay... 10.00 cheaper but higher shipping and handling and at this point you may not know enough to know when your getting taken... I went to an antique store and bought two peices of junk for the price I could have bought a real nice shave ready razor from SRP classifieds.. There are plenty of nice razors for sale there for between 30.00 to 50.00.. It may take a week or two but worth the effort... Easier to learn how to maintain an edge than to make an edge and requires less equipment.. I don't know much, enfact I've summed up almost all I know.. Oh .. I also know that stainless blades are hard to hone... start somewhere else.. good luck.. These are great guys and very helpful... almost erie to me.. happy holidays!! Maq

You would probably be better off going to an antique store getting a decent straight for cheap and hone it back to new.

Hi Stuart,

Thanks for the update.
I'm in Saudi Arabia for the minute with my Dovo Stainless and strop. I had my third shave last night after an interim "healing" period (on my first shave I inflicted quite a deep wound and on my second I took the top off it!), and it was very smooth. The chin area needs a bit of work but coming along.

I will definitely give Steve a whirl when I'm back in UK in February

Season's Greetings,
Ady

Ady,

Had one of those deep wounds last week from the shavette I was using. Tried to take my top lip off. Not good. Won't be using it again.

Happy holidays and enjoy the sun in Saudi.

Stuart.

Originally Posted by Geo411m

no, I didn't by the test blade yet. I only planned on getting it if/when I was ready to learn honing.

Don't. Learning to hone on a lousy razor will probably be more detrimental than helpful.

I'd suggest getting an inexpensive one from the SRP classifieds. You can take a shot at eBay or a local antique store as well, but that's a bit riskier when you're starting out and not sure what to look for.

EDIT: There are currently three razors on the first page of the classifieds for $40 or less.

Also, to answer your original question, I'd also suggest looking at either a good barber's hone or a pasted strop/paddle for in-between as those are both relatively inexpensive. When I decided to buy some stones, I went with a Naniwa 1k, Norton 4k/8k combo, Naniwa 12k and a DMT 325 for lapping. I also have a strop pasted with chromium oxide. I don't have a basis for comparison but I'm happy with the hones I purchased. The Naniwas work well (and great prices from SRD) and there is a ton of information about the Nortons.

between those two hones, definitely the naniwa combo. it's more versatile and has friendlier feedback.