Thread: Newbie with a Zeepk razor!

Hey guys,

Glad to be here and joining the world of straight shavers. Before we get any further, I just want to say that I know the Zeepk razors are notoriously bad, but it came in a set I bought on ebay, and not really knowing much I thought it was a great deal.

So, my problem is that it doesn't shave, should I get it professionally sharpened, or just find a new one?

Keep in mind, I cannot afford a $300 razor, but if you could recommend a decent $90 blade, I would be most grateful.

Thanks much,

Jose

Use your Zeepk for practicing your stropping, practicing your grips, even practicing the strokes you make, just don't ever use it to actually shave with.

You've had some good advice on where to get a good razor for less than $100 already so have a browse through the wiki here and then make your choice accordingly.

I agree with what's already been said. I got the "great" Zeepk deal from the bay as well when I first started. Wish I had the money back. I then bought my first "shave ready" razor from a member here on the classifieds. I now have other razors in my rotation, but that first one purchased here is still my favorite. Do some research and I am certain you will find something to fit your budget and get a good deal as well.

Originally Posted by dannywonderful

Use your Zeepk for practicing your stropping, practicing your grips, even practicing the strokes you make, just don't ever use it to actually shave with.

That's a very good idea!

Originally Posted by JosePrendes

Hey guys,

Glad to be here and joining the world of straight shavers. Before we get any further, I just want to say that I know the Zeepk razors are notoriously bad, but it came in a set I bought on ebay, and not really knowing much I thought it was a great deal.

So, my problem is that it doesn't shave, should I get it professionally sharpened, or just find a new one?

Keep in mind, I cannot afford a $300 razor, but if you could recommend a decent $90 blade, I would be most grateful.

Thanks much,

Jose

Jose,

Ditto to the previous posts...You can get a quality, professionally honed str8 razor from Ruprazor, Straight Razor Designs or Vintage Blades, LLC that fits your budget. Check them out.

Don't worry about it - I made the same mistake. (Worse maybe, I actually shaved with it once. )

The only thing I salvaged from the set was the brush, but YMMV on the other stuff. You might even consider putting a few layers of tape on the edge and pretending to shave.

On another note - Maybe there ought to be a PSA telling America not to buy these crummy razors ...

Hi. only been on SRP for a short time, seen the suggestion to dull a bad razor even more then use it to PRACTICE stroping or even shaving. What I don't understand is.... how do you practice if you can't check your results(if your not doing it right you are only reenforcing a bad habit)?

^^^ I completely agree.

Use it as a letter opener or a door stop. Don't use it for anything shaving related. If you can't feel that stropping is improving the shave how do you know you are practicing it right? If the razor won't cut whiskers you might as well practice with a spoon you can't tell if you are holding it right to cut hair.

try to get it honed. if somebody agrees to it you'll know who to avoid

Originally Posted by smills

Hi. only been on SRP for a short time, seen the suggestion to dull a bad razor even more then use it to PRACTICE stroping or even shaving. What I don't understand is.... how do you practice if you can't check your results(if your not doing it right you are only reenforcing a bad habit)?

I think the thing is: If you use a dull blade and go slowly, you can actually see your mistakes as you strop. Some of the most common mistakes are visually obvious, see here. If you happen to have a brain fart and roll the blade over its edge - or worse - smack the edge against the hardware or something, at least you won't have ruined a good razor. True, the finer points may be learned with a "real" razor, but using a dull razor is a way to learn without the risk. This is really about perfecting a new technique and getting your muscles to memorize the feeling.

In addition, if you're just starting out you'll be hard-pressed to say a rough shave is because of improper stropping as opposed to poor shaving technique, bad lather, ineffective prep, etc. etc. (Unless you've perfected those already ) So I don't think, "How can I see the results?" is a real concern for a newbie. There are a lot of variables that just take time to get the hang of.

Carefully strop at a slower, deliberate pace and watch, feel and listen to your technique. Then, when you go at it on your shaver you can be confident you did it right.