Thread: Brand New...

To whom and to all concerned,
Brand new to the site and the world of straight razors. I just bought my first at a flea market, motivated by the expense and wastefulness of disposable razors. I know little, but am dedicated to learning. The first thing I'd like to do before my first shave is to connect with the history of my razor, and of course, sharpen. I've attached some pictures. The box it came in was a Koch and Schafer that said it made in? Wade-Solingen, however as you'll see in the photos the blade is clearly from Sheffield, made/distributed by a company called A. Arnold, I presume. My first question is how does the blade look? Workable if properly honed? How is best to go about sharpening? I have water stones for wood chisels and thought it would be a good way to first work the blade. The handle is celluloid, I'm guessing, from what I've read on this site. And from a layman, everything looks in pretty good condition. Second, can anyone date the blade or the company? I'd like to learn something about it before I start using it.
Looking forward to all responses and eager to begin the process.
Thanks.
Danny

Hi if I want find out about a razor I've bought the first thing I do is google the*
Manufcturer and see what turns up. You may even come accross a link to this site with some info on it.

As for honing you need fine stones 1k to set a bevel 4k to sharpen 8k to polish and 12k upwards as a finnisher. There a guys on here that can get shave ready with 8k *there are a lot of stones out there check the honing section of the forum for more info.

I dont know what you use for your tools but i doubt they will be suitable for a straight razor.
Looking at your photos it looks good,workable and usable, theres nothing like completing your first straight shave its a great feeling of accomplishment( it was for me anyway, i was glad not to cut my throat )

I hope I've helped you a little good luck*

Anthony

Welcome to SRP.

For what it's worth, please send the blade out to get honed. You may well be a master with chisels or knives, but this is a different beast. Also, I would suggest picking someone from our classifieds section, and NOT sending it to "the chef knives kiosk in the mall".

There are many many variables to shaving. You will be doing yourself a huge favour to have your razor properly honed. That way, if nothing else, you will know that the blade is shave ready....and if it tugs or pulls on your first couple shaves....it's not the blade, it's your technique. I find it's best to be in control of your variables.

Good luck.

Great information. Thank you Maxi and mowfow. I will get the razor honed through the classifieds. Am also wondering how often a razor needs to be honed and whether it is reasonable to expect to keep the razor sharp through stropping? Also, any recommendations on what I should be looking for as far as strops are concerned, would be appreciated. I'll make sure to read the beginners manual on the site, but any personal mentoring suggestions garnered from your personal experience would be a great supplement.

Welcome to SRP, Danny.
It looks like a nice blade and a good score.
It seems that you have the right idea to get it honed through the classifieds here.
I can tell you from experience that you need a baseline to compare with.
The learning curve is huge and we look forward to assisting you with your journey into straight shaving.
IMHO the hones that you use for your chisels etc would be too course to hone straight razors.
My advice to you would be to spend time looking at the WIKI - it is time well spent IME.
Most of all - enjoy the ride.
Cheers,
Geoff

Razors can go months between honings, just with stropping on canvas and leather. The Wiki is a very good source for information.

It is likely that you'll put nicks in your first strop (unless you're used to stropping knives). Therefore, a reasonably-priced strop is good for a starter.

Two alternatives that come to mind (there are more):

www.whippeddog.com -- the "Poor Man's Strop Kit" which includes a leather strop and balsa strop with CrOxide and FeOxide pastes

www.ruprazor.com -- the Filly strop

Either of those will keep a razor keen as can be. More money will buy you more strop -- wider, made of better leather.

I agree with Maxi about the value of professional honing. Without it, you'll be wondering:

. . . Is my problem that the blade isn't sharp, or that my technique is faulty ?

Charles

Originally Posted by dmag

Great information. Thank you Maxi and mowfow. I will get the razor honed through the classifieds. Am also wondering how often a razor needs to be honed and whether it is reasonable to expect to keep the razor sharp through stropping? Also, any recommendations on what I should be looking for as far as strops are concerned, would be appreciated. I'll make sure to read the beginners manual on the site, but any personal mentoring suggestions garnered from your personal experience would be a great supplement.

Although you will likely knick your first strop, I'm of the mindset of purchasing a replaceable one immediately. What I mean is this: Straight Razor Designs has a line of fantastic premium strops. Both the leather and fabric components can be removed and changed, since they are held together with chicago-screws. The initial purchase will be higher than an entry level strop, BUT....the price of the replacement leather is almost identical TO the entry level strop. Therefore, you'll be spending roughly the same each way you proceed.

That's my other two cents.....