Thread: Hello! Tips needed!

More or less just wanted to say hello and get some feedback on my orders so far!
Im a 23 yr old Swedish guy who've gotten interested in this shaving business since i went to a barber a couple of months ago on my vacation.

I've ordered all stuff i thought i needed before i found this place, even tho i've only been browsing/reading today i've found alot of helpful stuff in this forum (especially this, the newbies corner )
However, this is what i bought:
Edvin Jagger - 5/8 Cut throat razor
Dovo strop
Red and green paste
Edvin Jagger soap

I've never seen anything written about this Edvin Jagger razor (yet), any thoughts about it? It was the _only_ razor they had in the swedish online shop, it costed ~110 USD, i figured it couldnt be that bad. Keep in mind i made this order before i had a clue about this community/sites from other countries with ALOT more stuff that they could ship worldwide.
Do you guys think i can get this Cut Throat razor into a shave-ready condition with the gear bought? If not: are there any pro-honers in europe (prefferably sweden :P ) that you could recommend me sending my little razor to?

Anyway, dont flame me for my english, nor my shaving skills, this is the first day of my life even thinking about somethingelse than my mach3
(and ya, ofc ill read, watch , do whatever to get some knowledge in shaving with this beast before i even try to shave myself )

Cristal,

Welcome to the forum...
Your English is great. Probaly better
that a lot of native speakers.

As far as the Edvin Jagger razor, I really don't
know anything about them. You will probably
need more than the paste to make the razor
shave ready, and that would go for any new
razor.

Since I've never honed either, I will let the others
give their opinion on this.

As far as shaving goes, I'm sure that you will do just
fine. The rest of us had to learn and you will as well.

Wish I could have offered more, I mainly just wanted to
welcome you. Be patient, other will respond. There
are alot of good guys here just itching to give their
expert advise.


Terry

Welcome,

I think you've got a good shot at getting the razor shaving. Its more about knowledge than equipment though, so either way don't sweat it. If it were me I'd strop it first, then test shave on a small spot. Failing that, then run it under the red paste and then strop again (after cleaning) and test shave again, then failing that run it over green paste, then red, then strop and test shave again. Failing that, repeat until successful. Learn some sharpness testing techniques. I'd use a piece of balsa wood to apply the pastes to (a very small amount) and then if you become successful purchase a paddle strop for application. A barber hone would be a good addition in the near future or find someone locally that can hone it for you.

Purchasing another shave ready razor is a great suggestion you'll get from more than one of us.

Your English is perfect. You'll want to do a lot of reading and ask a lot of questions.

thanks to both of you guys for really fast replies and warm welcome's!


AFDavis11: ok, thanks! perfect answer, and yes, i've already been out scouting for a hone + some razors to practice on and shave-ready razors. One thing now since im still far away from knowing all basics: When i'll work with the paste (on lets say Balsa) ill move the razor on the surface similar to the motion when stropping?

Yup, for pasted paddles move the razor with the edge trailing.

Go for the balsa or a scrap of leather froma shoe repair shop for the pastes. Do not apply them to your good Dovo hanging strop.

The Edwin Jaegger is likely a made to order Dovo product. You may well be able to sharpen this to shave ready on the green and red pastes with some work. I have done many new Dovos using only pastes from 9 micron to 0.5 micron.

Keep us posted on your progress.

Tony

I found Edwin Jagger razors here.

They are made by Dovo.

The two Dovo razors I bought new were ready to shave out-of-the-box. I did strop them 20 strokes on the pasted linen and then leather, as I usually do before a shave. They have improved since I've been shaving with them and stropping them, but they were ready to go when I got them.

You probably got a good bang for the buck. It's a general concensus that the Edwin Jagger Best Badger brush from Crabtree & Evelyn is the best bang for the buck and I had a great experience with it, so I am assuming they will match it with the razor. As it looks like it was made by DOVO, you won't be disappointed. I own one and it's always in the top 3 of my rotation.
In any case you won't get flamed for your English or anything else. This is a very friendly and helpful community, including quite a few of us whose first language isn't English. If you have any additional questions, don't hesitate to ask. We'll help you as much as possible.
Welcome aboard and hope you enjoy your experience at least half as much as I did.

Thanks for all comments guys! Really appreciated!

Originally Posted by FiReSTaRT

In any case you won't get flamed for your English or anything else. This is a very friendly and helpful community, including quite a few of us whose first language isn't English. If you have any additional questions, don't hesitate to ask. We'll help you as much as possible.
Welcome aboard and hope you enjoy your experience at least half as much as I did.

Thanks for the kind words, and yes.. indeed, people are really willing to help + friendly! In other words, i dont regret my choice to sign up and paste of my newb questions
and ofcourse, ill keep on asking if there are any other questions i cant find the answers to myself and when the time comes: The story about my straight razor virginity disappearing!

Greets neighbour. Glad to see that there are other Scandinavians involved. Can't really help you on the honing as I'm a newbie myself. However, I just shaved with a pre-honed straight from Ed (ForestyProf) today and it was good. I did my cheeks with a DE and the neck and chin with the straigt. Didn't cut myself but I have to admit I usually get closer shaves with a DE. Give me a few more tries and I'll do better.

Make sure you have a good shaving brush and some good cream/soap. It makes all the difference in the world.