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.

Greetings from Vancouver Island

I would recommend purchasing a razor from the classifieds here, so you can be sure to procure a shave-ready blade. As far as hones go, you can buy Norton waterstones at Lee Valley(the 4k/8k combo stone is a good starter).

IIRC, Timor is just a rebranded Dovo...nothing wrong with that I suppose, except you can get the same Dovo for less: DOVO Straight Razor with Black Handle 5/8"

Alternatively, you can get a vintage blade from the classifieds that will most certainly outlive you...even though they are over 100 years old already.

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.

Quote:

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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.

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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

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CoolHandJaden

Greetings from Vancouver Island

I would recommend purchasing a razor from the classifieds here, so you can be sure to procure a shave-ready blade. As far as hones go, you can buy Norton waterstones at Lee Valley(the 4k/8k combo stone is a good starter).

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The reason I'm looking at new razors is that I've had no luck at all on Craigslist. I assumed that (like the outdoors forums I read) the classifieds would be 99% Americans. I'll check it out!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Obie

Quote:

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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.

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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

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Thank you both for your advice. I'll order that Dovo and post results.

Any recommendations on strop pastes or strops? Or are they all pretty effective?

Cheers!

Hello again, Bushmills:

Straight Razor Designs and Tony Miller's The Well Shaved Gentlemen both have excellent strops. Start there.

Regards,
Obie

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Obie

Hello again, Bushmills:

Straight Razor Designs and Tony Miller's The Well Shaved Gentlemen both have excellent strops. Start there.

Regards,
Obie

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Thanks!

I wish that Straight Razor Designs were located in Canada. Unfortunately, the pickings are pretty slim up here -- although Fendrihan's seems like a good source for my simple needs.

bushmills,

You always have the option of purchasing your strop (3" wide Latigo suggested) from the same Candadian vendor (Fendrihan's) that you plan to purhase your new Dovo str8 razor from. As with the previous posts try to get your razor honed by somebody knowledgable about that practice before shaving with it.

As for pastes, I would suggest holding off on that until you have several weeks/months of shaves under your belt. If you start using pastes on your razor immediately after purchasing it, you may not get the result you desired.

Just my 2 cents.

i say you find 2 shave ready razors from the classifieds for the price of 1 new razor.
order yourself a bottom of the line strop because your going to nick it up
hold off on the honing bit and learn to shave and strop properly first
thats way when one razor needs to be honed you still have one and its sharp and ready to go.
you shouldnt need any strop paste action for a while but it would be good to have some for when you do. but do your homework on that. it is not all the same grit and you could easily wreck the edge or over stop it maybe even start putting a frown into the metal.
by the way welcome aboard, good luck and have fun

I wish that the classifieds had a filter to show Canadian vendors.

How much luck have folks had shipping razors across the border? Is there a requirement that they be dull?

If it *is* feasible and economic to buy a US razor, the game changes substantially. I would *much* prefer to buy a used classic razor that is plain in appearance and of good and lasting quality.

Although I am a researcher by nature, I don't have the 1000 hours that I usually dedicate to my hobbies to become fluent before diving in. Lots that's for sale looks great, but not knowing the market it's hard to choose. For instance, what do people think of Torrey?

bushmills,

Torrey's are good workmanlike vintage razors. A respected brand. They aren't fancy, but they most certainly get the job done.

In point of fact, I would consider just about any of the razor brands you find in the SRP "Classifieds" to be quality razors. Check the SRP wiki for acceptable razor brands, then try to make your selection.

Good luck snagging that Torrey.

Here is a link to a description of a Torrey.

Torrey out of Worcester, Mass. U.S.A. - Detailed item view - Our Online Shop

First to address ordering razors from the US, I have ordered one before and was only dinged by customs for the sales tax. I have heard that they will sometimes not do this if the value is under 200 but that is just something I remember hearing. Like I said from my personal experience I think I paid 40 dollars on a 250 razor. With the Canadian dollar at par you may end up with a better bargain south of the border even if you end up paying customs.

As far as Fendrihan strops go I have a 3" latigo strop for them and absolutely love it. Good luck in your search.

Arock

your lucky i almost snagged that one earlier.

but went for one from strop-shop.co.uk instead.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BigIan

your lucky i almost snagged that one earlier.

but went for one from strop-shop.co.uk instead.

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Got it!

My journey begins. :)

Thanks all for the valuable guidance. Updates to follow.

FYI - there are no issues with shipping razors or equipment across the border. I live in Toronto, and have had ebay's sent here no problems.

I bought all my equipment separately, having not known about SRD at the time. My regret is that I had read more first, and found them. Now I know, and keep them bookmarked!

Also, "Floppyshoes", aka Dan Gauthier, lives in Montreal. He is the honemeister for Fendrihan in Mississauga. He also has a classified page for this restoration/sales, and honing services. His edges are very nice, and he is prompt in his return. An excellent service for beginners in Canada.

Good luck,
Maxi

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Maxi

FYI - there are no issues with shipping razors or equipment across the border. I live in Toronto, and have had ebay's sent here no problems.

I bought all my equipment separately, having not known about SRD at the time. My regret is that I had read more first, and found them. Now I know, and keep them bookmarked!

Also, "Floppyshoes", aka Dan Gauthier, lives in Montreal. He is the honemeister for Fendrihan in Mississauga. He also has a classified page for this restoration/sales, and honing services. His edges are very nice, and he is prompt in his return. An excellent service for beginners in Canada.

Good luck,
Maxi

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Very good information - thanks!

The Torrey I ordered is shave-ready, but I'm sure I'll have it off to mr. Gauthier within the year.

I also found a site called Rasage Poulin last night. It's a Quebecker based in Calgary with a very interesting selection including "Canadian" branded razors made by Thiers-Issard. Strange that the only straight shaving supplies in Vancouver are ultra-boutiquey -- why is there no equivalent to Fendrihan's out here?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bushmills

why is there no equivalent to Fendrihan's out here?

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It's all mail-order these days so it really doesn't matter where the vendor is located.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Desdinova

It's all mail-order these days so it really doesn't matter where the vendor is located.

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It would be nice to see/smell some of the products before committing -- picking an aftershave scent by text description is a bit like picking a wife out of a catalog. The devil is in the details.

In other news, I tried the Proraso pre/post shave this morning. It's fantastic! The extra layer of glycerin next to the skin makes the razor glide like it's on ice, and the extra cooling is welcome as well.

It's funny: thanks to the extensive shaving theory I've learned from straight research, I'm now getting the most unbelievably close and comfortable cartridge shaves I've ever had from a cartridge razor. It's hard to believe that this is actually the worst form of shaving.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bushmills

It would be nice to see/smell some of the products before committing -- picking an aftershave scent by text description is a bit like picking a wife out of a catalog. The devil is in the details.

In other news, I tried the Proraso pre/post shave this morning. It's fantastic! The extra layer of glycerin next to the skin makes the razor glide like it's on ice, and the extra cooling is welcome as well.

It's funny: thanks to the extensive shaving theory I've learned from straight research, I'm now getting the most unbelievably close and comfortable cartridge shaves I've ever had from a cartridge razor. It's hard to believe that this is actually the worst form of shaving.

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Did you buy your razor? Don from Poco.:)

I'm in Ottawa and I can sympathize with your desire to buy on premise and kick the tires before laying down cash.... However, there's nothing like that in Ottawa (that I've found) and I've had to order supplies from Toronto and from the states.

My razor was purchased from the classifieds from the states.... it was sharpened and shave ready and went through customs without a problem. Didn't even ding me on the sales tax (the seller had valued it at $30 on the customs declaration).

I've also ordered supplies from Fendrihan in Toronto and found them to be an excellent vendor.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bushmills

It would be nice to see/smell some of the products before committing -- picking an aftershave scent by text description is a bit like picking a wife out of a catalog. The devil is in the details.

In other news, I tried the Proraso pre/post shave this morning. It's fantastic! The extra layer of glycerin next to the skin makes the razor glide like it's on ice, and the extra cooling is welcome as well.

It's funny: thanks to the extensive shaving theory I've learned from straight research, I'm now getting the most unbelievably close and comfortable cartridge shaves I've ever had from a cartridge razor. It's hard to believe that this is actually the worst form of shaving.

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Sadly, we are all in the same boat.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bushmills

It's funny: thanks to the extensive shaving theory I've learned from straight research, I'm now getting the most unbelievably close and comfortable cartridge shaves I've ever had from a cartridge razor. It's hard to believe that this is actually the worst form of shaving.

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Bushmills, I think it's like leaving a girlfriend. You have to remember why you don't like her/it? I've had the same experience. When I switched to using shaving soap, I could shave against the grain for the first time. But the bottom line is still that I don't want to pay for any more mach 3's, just to throw them out. That, and what successes I've had with the straight are even better than with the mach 3.