Another Beginner Thread

[Peterazor]

Hi guys first post from a prospective buyer. I've done a lot of research, read the beginner faq and watched youtube stropping/honing/shaving videos. I'm planning on getting either a Dovo Tortoise.

I've read complaints about shave ready razors not being sharp enough. I'm not sure if this because new users are using bad technique or that dovo factory pre-sharpening is inconsistent or on the rough side.

1. Should I go with a retailer like Straight Razor Design that hones them or is that a marketing ploy? Do they really re-hone them?

2. Another related question is a leather strop all I need to get a new razor shave ready? Or should I get a paste and put it on the back canvas side? I'd like to avoid buying a stone and or ruining the edge. Even though part of the appeal to me was doing my own honing, I'd like to avoid problems and send it in for service for the first re hone after reading problems beginners have.

3. I understand many suggest getting a cheap practice strop but I want to get a discount by buying the strop/razor set at SRD (3" Latigo). Simplifying things by getting everything at one place. I'm going to take it slow for the first month to avoid nicking. I've practiced with a knife on a belt, its hard to believe this is such a problem.

4. Can anyone give an opinion on any of these retailers or one I didn't list? BTW, I'm leaning towards SRD
Straight Razor Design, Classic Shaving, Vintage Blades, Nashville Knife Shop, Knife Center, Royal Shave

Is it ok to talk about retailers without it conflicting with board sponsors/advertisers?

[JimmyHAD]

Welcome to SRP. I've bought quite a few razors from SRD and they have been honed to perfection. I wouldn't do paste on my daily strop. If you want to have a good alternative to a hone the SRD modular paddle is what I would get. You can use your daily strop as intended and then if you do need to touch up the razor you can use the modular paddle with one or another of it's options to attend to that. Just IMHO.:Take a look at the last couple of pages of this barber manual excerpt from the SRP Wiki help files here and follow their suggestions on stropping.

[red96ta]

1. It's not a marketing ploy. The sharpest razors I own have been honed by Lynn. In fact, he's so sure that you'll like his honing that every razor comes with a free rehone.

2. Yep, a leather strop will keep you going for about a month and after that, you'll need a pasted strop...ie, a cheaper strop with chromium oxide on it and it will bring your edge right back.

3. I suggest getting a 3" latigo strop. Don't worry about it since the strop is modular and you can replace the leather for about $25. Your first strop WILL get destroyed in about six months, so count on that replacement leather as part of the purchase price later down the road.

4. Straight Razor Design, Classic Shaving, Vintage Blades are all well known and reputable dealers...I've not heard of the rest.

[RayG]

I think you have done well on your research, and are on the right track. The dovo you chose is a good starter. I would go with picking up the combo from SRD, or if you choose, VB and Classic are good sources too, just be sure to get add the pre-honing option.

That should keep you going for about a month, then look into pasted strop - either buying one like Jimmy mentioned or making one yourself.

It would probably be by your 3rd month that you will need a touch up honing, barring your rolling the edge stopping. In either case, SRD's free re-honing option will be handy then.

But by that time, it is more than likely that you will have acquired other razors.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[Peterazor]

Thx for all the replies I'm glad to hear the good things about SRD. I have read the wiki it was very helpful. Besides the strop I see I can either use a paddle or another strop with paste. How about getting a Naniwa 12k stone? Or is that more difficult to use?

If I go the 2nd strop w/paste route should I get a cheap Rup Philly strop for that purpose or is a paddle better?

[red96ta]

How about getting a Naniwa 12k stone? Or is that more difficult to use?

If I go the 2nd strop w/paste route should I get a cheap Rup Philly strop for that purpose or is a paddle better?

Don't worry about honing right now, trust me, you're going to be way over your head for the first few weeks just figuring out what you're doing with the razor and strop. I've been honing for a couple months and it ain't that easy...it ain't sharpening knives, that's for sure.

IMHO, the filly strop makes a great pasted strop.

[RayG]

How about getting a Naniwa 12k stone?

If I go the 2nd strop w/paste route should I get a cheap Rup Philly strop for that purpose or is a paddle better?

Honing is a whole new world to learn. I'd suggest taking it slow and concentrating on technique and stropping for now.

Stropping on paste is easier since the motion is the same as stropping, a skill you will be learning already, and probably getting the hang of by the time you need to touch up on paste.

Between the pasted strops, I would start with a paddle because of the more stable, flat base. It is easier to screw up an edge on a pasted hanging strop.

[Peterazor]

Honing is a whole new world to learn. I'd suggest taking it slow and concentrating on technique and stropping for now.

Stropping on paste is easier since the motion is the same as stropping, a skill you will be learning already, and probably getting the hang of by the time you need to touch up on paste.

Between the pasted strops, I would start with a paddle because of the more stable, flat base. It is easier to screw up an edge on a pasted hanging strop.

To save money could I get the paddle instead of the hanging strop

[JimmyHAD]

To save money could I get the paddle instead of the hanging strop

IMO You're better off with a hanger for daily stropping. If you only get one get a hanger wherever you choose to get it from. Just IMHO.

[RayG]

I am with Jimmy. Learn to strop with a hanger. Of course you can strop on a paddle but it is much shorter and will need more laps, more flipping of the razor, more room for error.

I think of it this way: I strop 25 on linen, 50 on leather before each shave, and about 20 laps after to dry the edge. That is everyday. When I touch up, about 1 or at most two times a month (if I were to use only one razor), that would be only about 10-20 laps on a paddle.

If you want to save money, there are lots of options for pasting. Lots of guys get good results with getting a small packet of CrO powder in the classifieds and applying that on a smooth strip of balsa wood.