New to SRP and a few questions

Hello everyone. I just signed up today, and have a few questions about this new way of shaving.
I purchased my first straight razor a few days ago at an antique shop. I think it's a Crown & Sword Solingen 1720. It has a black plastic handle and came in a really old box. The price was originally $20, but I talked the owner down to $10.
To me, the blade looks perfectly intact, but seems dull. I contacted two barbers, and a hardware store in my hometown and none of the three are willing to sharpen it. Where can I take it to get it sharpened so that I can actually use it? Also, is this a decent razor? Thanks!

JDCAL29,

Welcome to SRP! In the WIKI there is a list of razors considered to be Good Straight Razor Brands and a list of Brands of Straight Razors to avoid

I learned the hard way when I first started using straights that just because a blade "looked good" to me in the antique store, it wasn't necessarily able to be restored to shave-ready condition.

You want your first straight shave to be honed to shave-ready condition by someone who is a "known" honemeister. You don't want someone from the local hardware store who sharpens knives to hone a straight. You have a lot of options. There are numerous SRP members who hone and/or restore straights and you can send it to them. There are also a lot of SRP members in Minnesota that you may want to contact through PM (private messaging) about who they use to hone for them.

Alternately, you could purchase a new or vintage straight from one of the many vendors who advertise in the classifieds of SRP. Straight Razor Designs is also an excellent place to get straight razors and supplies. Remember, you'll also need a strop.

Posting a picture of your razor would be helpful - many defects that would make it unshave-worthy may show up in pictures.

Don't hesitate to ask questions and please read through the WIKI - it's a wealth of information.

Welcome aboard,

Greg

First of all Welcome to SRP. There are several members here who offer a honing service, so just look for them in the classifieds. Almost all vintage blades make good shavers. Sounds like you did well.
Do us a favor and post a pic of it.

Welcome to SRP!

In the beginner's forum (which this thread is in) is a thread with a Members Map. It's not complete by any means, but there are a lot of markers in MN. Maybe someone with experience will be close by to help you get started.

Sounds like you picked up a good razor (by name) for a song. If it's been taken care of it could be a great shaver, and if not, it could be a fun razor to play around with for honing, stropping practice. All depends on what shape it's in so bring on the pics!

Good luck!

There are many places on line to get it sharpened....I would reccomend Coming Soon... they are a great service for that :)

Hey Guys, thanks for the responses and warm welcome! I'll have some pics up in an hour or so.

Pictures! Tell me what you think.

Good Snag! Ya done good! Now check out the SRP classifieds under member services and get that thang honed! You will love it!

For ten bucks! That looks like a FANTASTIC razor for ten bucks! Can't get tremendous detail off of the pics; like to tell if it's got a smile or a frown. But from what I can see (and I'm only in this a few months of reading and researching) there's no chips, no cracks, no broken scales. Looks like a great razor. Get her honed and start shaving!

Good luck.

Big Jim,
To me, it seemed like a good deal. The woman in the antique shop had two others which had blades that were rusty and had chunks missing and wanted $8 for either claiming that they could be repaired. I got a way better razor and was able to talk her down to $10, rather than $20. I am having Stefan hone it for me, and will keep you all posted on my process with the razor.

Thanks - my name is also Jim

Whereabouts in MN are you at?

If you're anywhere near where I'm at, I'd be willing to hone it for you and help with any questions about shaving or honing that you might have.

(I'm about two hours north of the Metro area - between Brainerd & St. Cloud. If you're closer to the Cities, you might want to send a PM to randydance062449 he's really good about helping out the new guys)

I'm closer to the cities. Thanks though.