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Hi everybody :)
Just got delivery of my new razor, a Cyril R Salter straight razor with a Solingen blade.
Unfortunately it arrived un-sharpened and my attempts to hone it have just made it even more dull. So rather than damaging it i've decided to get it honed by a professional. The problem is, i've got no idea who the best person/company is to send it to in the UK.
Any help is gratefully received.
Hello, gencer:
Welcome to Straight Razor Place. Steve Dempster of The Invisible Edge in the UK is a member here and a master at what he does. Neil Miller, also a member here, is another good choice.
Regards,
Obie
Look here for a honemeister near you.
Member Services - Straight Razor Place Classifieds
I can vouch for Gary Haywood he puts a very good edge on a razor and is a gent to deal with too not that the others mentioned aren't you understand just giving you another choice :) phew !
ian
Thanks for replies. I'll probably get in touch with Gary Haywood fairly soon. The recommendations on the classified are all very positive.
Just out of curiosity, how long usually is it before a razor would require re-honing ?
I usually shave twice a week as it takes me ages to grow stubble and it's not that course either.
Thanks.
Hello, gencer:Quote:
Originally Posted by gencer
Shaving twice a week, I would say probably every six months, maybe a little longer, between honing. That's how I would do it, anyway. Others might go shorter or longer.
Regards,
Obie
Thanks for the info Obie.
Even with sending off it for honing it still works out better than spending money on gillette razors blades.
Hello, gencer:Quote:
Originally Posted by gencer
How true, indeed. Since you're just starting out, it's a good idea you start with a good and shave-ready razor. Eventually you will learn to do our own honing. For now, though, it is important to concentrate on your straight razor and lather-making skills. Take your time and hone your skill. Read the tutorials in the Wiki, and watch as many shaving videos as you can. Finally, if you have questions, please post them and you will have your answer in no time.
Regards
Obie
I would just say 'watch it' with the Salter - I have honed quite a few and the results vary from very good to just about usable - I don't know if the steel is varied or exactly what it is but if you get a decent one they're OK - if not, buy something else!
PS thanks for the kind words Obie!
I wouldn't bother sending it out, personally. It's on our list of straight razors to avoid:
Brands of Straight Razors to avoid - Straight Razor Place Wiki
Based on comments in this thread from '08:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...get-sharp.html
I was going to say just warn the person you are sending it to that it is a Salter... But Steve already knows how they can be ....
Like Commiecat pointed out we don't recommend that you buy one, but if you have it already, then send it out to Steve with his experience, he stands the best chance on your side of the Pond to get it dialed in...
No offense to any others but if you have done them before it really helps...
Nuts. Guess i should have done some research before buying this brand instead of after buying. I'll send it off and see how it goes. If i can be made to work then i'll be happy, if not then i wont be losing too much sleep over it as it wasn't particularly expensive. I guess the saying "buying cheap, buy twice" is rather apt for straight razors. I'll be sure to check the reviews section before getting a replacement if all fails with this one.
If you're going to get a replacement, check out Steve's range of DOVO razors. I got a Bismarck from him that is an excellent shaver, and other makes like the Best Quality or the Black Star would make excellent shavers.
Good luck and keep us posted!
Slightly off topic, but where do i stand legally if i want to return the razor to the seller ???
It's not been used for shaving, but i have tried to hone it (with no success). Or should i just write it off as a mistake and buy one of the many recommended razors ?
Thanks for all the advice given, this really is a top notch forum. If only i'd found this place before buying anything, i suspect i'd have been a much happier person.
I reckon if you've done anything to it, be it shave with it or hone it, then you probably cant return it. You can really only return it in unused condition I think.
What I'd do is keep hold of it as a practice razor for learning to hone. That way you can blast it to death on the hones and not worry about it, and really get a feel for the razor on the stone and making the X stroke.
Get a shave ready razor as well so you can start shaving. Either the classifieds here or Steves site would be a great way to go, and then you can grab a couple of oldies from eBay in a few months and you'll be much more comfortable with honing at that point..!
Thats what I did, I practiced honing on an old microtome I had from school and started shaving with a DOVO Black Star. Then when I got my first eBay razor I was able to hone it up reasonably well as I'd gotten comfortable with the X stroke and circles by that time.
Good luck and let us know how you get on!
I've taken your advice Stubear.
I've ordered a Dovo Best Quality from Steve's site and will keep the Salter as practice razor for when i get good quality honing stone. Who knows maybe it'll get to be my travel razor if i can hone it properly.
Live and learn i guess. Now that i'm on this site i'll be sure to check it or post before i make and decisions about what to buy.
Thanks again to everyone.
You know,
Don't read a ton into this, because there are differences out there but I have two customers that have been sending me their Salters about every 6 months for the past 2 years or better... Maybe they have two of the only good ones made, but I can get them sharp, and they last these two guys just fine... So heck give yers a try anyway...:)