Hello form DC

Hello folks,

Peter here from Washington DC. A while ago I inherited three straight razors from my grandfather's estate (I have sent them off to be restored), a brush and a strop. While the razors are being refurbished I am trying to learn as much as I can about straight razor shaving.

I have been researching all manner of straight razor shaving and think I have a handle on how to shave (now I just need to practice) but what seems more complicated, and not so easy to figure out, is maintenance of the razors. For example, the strop I inherited is old and I don't know how to tell if it is still usable and I'm not sure how to figure out what the various stones I have received are for. I believe one of them is a barber's finishing hone but the rest are various sizes and I just can't figure out what they do.

Anyway, I am very much looking forward getting my grandfather's razors back in usable condition, both for sentimental reasons and because i very much like the idea and the process of shaving with a straight razor.

I look forward to learning from all of you and am happy to be on this forum.

Best,
Peter

Welcome! You came to the right place . Grandfathers razors huh? Thats super cool. you cant buy that kind of thing. I'm sure they will be your most treasured razors years after you are consumed with R.A.D and have a walk in showcase of straights LOL! I'm to green to answer any of your Q's but I will give you this lil bit. dont go jumpin into the razor honing game just yet. Lots of people here do it for a great low price. It's a whole different animal that takes lots of info. You should learn it( I would hate to lose a family razor in shipping) but take your time. I dont plan to ever hone. If I learn anything else I have to forget 5 things. good luck to you .

Welcome to the forum!

Can you post pictures of the strop and stones? That will give us all a much better idea of what you're talking about, and how to help you.

Thanks for your hospitality savalis1971 and Maxi. I will definitely post some pictures of the stop and stones. Ill try to get them up tonight or tomorrow.

Im looking forward to some input on them.

Welcome to SRP and I hope you find plenty of information here to help you on your shaving journey. I also inherited a couple of razors from my family that belonged to my uncle and grandfather and they have become my favorite razors. Looking forward to pictures so we may help you further! Good Luck.

Rick

My best advice, which was given to me, Is Dont be afraid of your first shave, and go slow! A great thing I picked up at the drug store was a styptic pencil!!

Shave On!,
~Mike

I'll add in there to be careful with the stones, right off the bat. Honing is something acquired over time and NOT something you want to teach yourself with an heirloom razor. Those cannot be replaced. The one you'll first end up using would be that barber hone you mentioned. Of course, we'd like to see pictures of the stones, first, the verify what they are. If you could include a separate object in the pic to give us a frame of reference (like a dollar bill) so we can tell the size, and if there's any stampings on the stones indicating a manufacturer or point of origin, that would help immensely! You're going yourself a great deal of justice having those sent out to be properly refurbished before taking them on, yourself. In time, I'm sure you'll be completely hooked and looking forward to shaving every day!

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Originally Posted by Maxi

Welcome to the forum!

Can you post pictures of the strop and stones? That will give us all a much better idea of what you're talking about, and how to help you.

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I'm not sure if these pics are helpful, but I tried to get photos of the condition of the strop as well as a group picture of the stones and an individual picture of each one next to a dollar bill to give it some perspective. I know that one of the stones is a Sextoblade Razor Hone and the other hone about that size is a Carborandum Sharpening Stone. If other pictures would be helpful, just say the word.

I appreciate anyone looking at these and letting me know what I have. I will gladly send along pictures of the refurbished razors once I receive them.

All junk..I will give you $4.00 for the lot...Send them immediately...Don't read anyone else's posts....They are drunk...I am here to help...

Hello from Northern Virginia.

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Originally Posted by Wintchase

All junk..I will give you $4.00 for the lot...Send them immediately...Don't read anyone else's posts....They are drunk...I am here to help...

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That's very kind, but I wouldn't want to take your money if they are junk. I guess I'll just toss everything and start over :) Thanks for looking.

Welcome to SRP and the game of wet shaving. Hope you got some money to spend.

Welcome, Peter. Happy to see another DMV guy on here. I'm in Old Town myself. Drop a line if you need a hand with anything!

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Originally Posted by LegalBeagle

Welcome, Peter. Happy to see another DMV guy on here. I'm in Old Town myself. Drop a line if you need a hand with anything!

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Thanks, Legal Beagle. How long have you been using a straight razor? Have you found any places in the DC area that you trust to hone a razor, or do you send them to folks on the forum? Im currently using a Merkur DE safety razor, but looking forward to learning the art of the straight razor.

So, after posting these pictures, I noticed there are rooms on the forum dedicated to strops and hones. Should I repost pictures in those rooms? I don't want to violate SRP protocol.

Peter,

Its fine. If you want details on the hones/strops you can repost. I'm in Fairfax if you ever want to stop by and get some help. I can teach you how to hone/strop, etc. We are having the Virginia Get Together on Oct 2. Check out the Get Together section or send me a PM for details if you'd like to learn about honing or restoration.

And welcome to the forum.

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Originally Posted by ppetersan

Thanks, Legal Beagle. How long have you been using a straight razor? Have you found any places in the DC area that you trust to hone a razor, or do you send them to folks on the forum? Im currently using a Merkur DE safety razor, but looking forward to learning the art of the straight razor.

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I started using straights about 15 months ago. The straight razor fan won't find much commercially in DC. As for honing, I do my own. If you need some help with that, let me know. I'm happy to help get you started. I even have a decent starter blade I have loaned out to a few people that I'm willing to let you start with...

Is that a vintage Norton? Those are becoming regarded as nice stones, too. Looks to be a slurry stone with it. For the strop, it looks like it has some nice bolstering and fasteners, but I'm not sure about the material. If you repost the strop with more pictures in the Strops forum, I'm sure someone with more knowledge than myself would be able to lend some info on restoring the leather. I'd almost be inclined to replace the leather but keep the bolstering from it.

Also, the easiest way to violate protocol is to beligerently ask us how much money they're worth. On that note, you can't put a pricetag on family heirlooms.

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Originally Posted by ppetersan

That's very kind, but I wouldn't want to take your money if they are junk. I guess I'll just toss everything and start over :) Thanks for looking.

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Oh well, I tried....:(

That didn't work, so welcome to SRP! I have learned a lot from these fellows since coming aboard. I am not an expert, but I think you have a good legacy set to take over.

Thanks, DerekC. I will repost in the proper forums. and, yes, im guessing it is a vintage Norton. I don't remember my grandfather ever shaving with a straight razor, but my mom remembers this stuff being around since she was a little girl, so it's ~40-50+ years.

I understand it is improper to ask what these things are worth. Since I don't plan on ever selling, I don't really care what they are worth (but am somewhat interested). What I am interested in, however, is the quality of everything and whether they are worth using in the future.

Thanks again for your post.

Wow! That is a very generous offer - and I may just take you up on it. I may also buy an old razor that has no sentimental value to practice on.

I live in NOVA, close to D.C. Cool stuff from the family and thanks for sharing picks. I do recommend a 4 sided paddle strop and paste for two sides. 1.0 diamond and the other .50 chrom ox. Without seeing the Strop first hand, I don't know if it losts its Mojo. Good tools will go a long way to getting great shaves. Those barber hones will come in handy.

Pabster

Thanks to everyone for the warm welcome and for your comments regarding the hones. In case you are interested, I posted pics of the strop and the hones in the proper forums.