Thread: Hello

First off hello and my name is David. I have a question that I hope will not open Pandora's Box. I am looking to buy my first straight and am not sure where to begin as far as size and grind. Let me start by saying that all I will need will be the razor because I have my Grandfather's Illinois 835 stop and "old razor hone". I have decided that I do not want a disposable or one with a square point other than that I am completely lost. I have looked here in the classifieds, whippeddog and several online stores. I do not want to invest a lot of money, less than $75, to start with to decide whether or not I will like it. Any guidance would be of great help.

Standard advise is around 5/8" with a round point. You can figure if you want to go down or up in size from there.
SRP classsifieds are a good place to start as well as some of the vendors here on the site.

Good luck,
Michael

Above are great point. I would add that you may want to get yourself and inexpensive starter strop, if you have some sentimental attachment to your grandfather's strop. I know that I nicked my first strop a few times, and one time I put a really nice gouge in the strop. to avoid damage to a family heirloom (if that is was you consider the strop), get an inexpensive starter strop.

Or don't. your choice.

Matt

Originally Posted by mhailey

Above are great point. I would add that you may want to get yourself and inexpensive starter strop, if you have some sentimental attachment to your grandfather's strop. I know that I nicked my first strop a few times, and one time I put a really nice gouge in the strop. to avoid damage to a family heirloom (if that is was you consider the strop), get an inexpensive starter strop.

Or don't. your choice.

Matt

I am having a guy at work build me a new strop and I will his to start with considering he is only charging me $10 to make it. I have used my Grandfathers strop for many years to polish knife edges and broadheads with.

+1 on the previous advice. Make certain that any razor you buy--new of vintage--has been expertly honed before use on your face.

As for your hone...Put it away for now. You won't need it right away if your razor has already been honed before using it. Focus on perfecting your stropping and shaving technique before attempting to hone your razor yourself.

BTW...That Boker you just ordered ought to do justice to your face and beard.

Take care--and smooth shaving...

If you can't find a round tip, ask whoever hones the razor to dull the tip for you. It takes less than a minute, makes the tip fairly safe, isn't visible, and is easily undone during subsequent honing.

Originally Posted by Alembic

Hmmmm - that is an excellent choice. But I thought you wanted to cap it at $75.00 and did not need a strop.

Well SWMBO gave the go ahead and I was able to get the package deal cheaper than I could get just the razor for. It just made sense plus I still the first honing free.