Working man's shave: help with Fendrihan's order
I'm finally going to act on my long and timid romance with the straight razor shave. I've decided that my last $30 (!) pack of 8 disposable heads will be my LAST. I am converting to straight shaving and seeking the one straight that will hopefully last me the rest of my life.
I'm not looking for the *perfect* straight; just one that will work well and last a long time. I know that this is idealistic.
Any advice or experience would be greatly appreciated. If some members here can guide me in ordering from fendrihan.com, (or elsewhere in Canada?), I will continue to detail my journey in this thread -- every step from order to final ability or failure to shave like a man.
My priorities in placing this order are simple:
-must ship from Canada as getting anything across the border is an expensive PITA.
-I'm not so keen on the luxurious or ornate. No gold inlay, unicorn tusk handles, or white-tiger-extract shave balms that I can't afford. I'm thinking of a miner or a lumberjack shaving on Saturday night before going to the community hall dance with his sweetheart.
-If possible, a "shave ready" blade so that I know what it's *supposed* to shave like, and can try to reattain that when stropping and honing later (thoughts on this?)
-I'll need a strop and paste as well
Any advice or assistance in selecting from the Fendrihan's catalogue would be greatly appreciated. I have gravitated towards the 6/8ths Timor pre-sharpened Blue Steel Razor here.
http://www.fendrihan.com/images/TIM150-68.jpg
I like the look and price, but of course my knowledge is only at 1% right now so I am very much in need of assistance. I have never even seen a straight in real life.
Thanks all very much in advance, and I very much look forward to your replies.
Cheers!
Brian
aka Bushmills
PS regarding hones, that is one I have to read more about. The Spyderco ceramic hones seem like a good way to go? I haven't found them in Canada but I should have a couple of months' leeway on that before I need them.
PPS Regarding shaving cream: I've been using "proper" cream and a brush for a couple of months, and have gotten the hang of lathering as opposed to just foaming. It's currently my favorite part of the day. I have tried a tube of Nivea, a puck of Col. Conk, a puck of something else, and my old standby "goo in a can" Aveeno, and now am onto Proraso green. While I am convinced that the Aveeno is as good as the Proraso, (the lubricity and skin conditioning effects are amazing,) I love the price/smell/experience of the Proraso. As of now, I am satisfied that that will be my shaving cream of choice. Any comments definitely appreciated.
Working Man's shave . . .
Quote:
Originally Posted by
BigIan
the best recomendation i can give is my meger set up,
a Dovo, "best quality" 5/8th, dovo canvas/leather strop. you say you already have a brush and soap so i wont go into that.
Any good quality razor maintained properly will serve you well and maybe even your sons and grandsons. there are razors around that are 150 years old made out of softer steel than modern razors are.
So if you buy a new razor such as a dovo, then it should last you well if well maintained.
on the honeing part i would`nt be in to much of a ruch to get into honeing There is a skill to learn leave getting a hone for a good 3 or 4 months.
When i first started i dulled my blade quickly. and it needed to be sent off for honeing after a couple of months.
wait untill you can strop a razor before you try to hone one.
Hello, Bushmills:
BigIdan's suggestions are sound and I concur. The Dovo he mentions is quality stuff. As for honing, I suggest to wait, too, and hone your skills with the razor and strop first.
Regards,
Obie