Thread: Introduction and a few questions

Hi SRP!

First time poster. I'm from NC and currently live in NoVA, and I've seen a few Fairfax posters while lurking. I'm generally an enthusiast for all things that make me look pretentious, including bow ties, pipe smoking, cigars, safety razor shaving, and now (hopefully) straight-edge shaving.

I've been wet-shaving with a dual edge for about 3 years now, and I love it. I've spent 6 months practicing with a fake straight (with replaceable blades), so I feel comfortable with my shaving technique.

I imagine a recent Woot deal caused a lot of registrations. I've always wanted to try shaving with a straight, but the initial cost put me off. I'm a graduate student, so dropping $300 on a blade is pretty serious. Anyway, I picked up this "kit". It's probably a cheap Pakistani blade, so there may not be much to hope for.

Please, don't post bashing the company or my choice of how to get started.

I've seen plenty of posts here and at B&B about the deal. I don't want to start a flame war, I just want advice on how to make the best out of a bad situation!

So I finally got the strop today. When I first got the razor a few weeks ago, I trade shaving with it, and it pulled terribly. It felt fine on the back of thumbnail, and there was no warping or frowning on the blade, and the blade arrived without honing damage (which was apparently common). I figured it just needed good stropping.

The strop is pretty nice, cowhide and canvas. I lathered both sides, cleaned the blade, and stropped about 40 strokes on canvas and 50 on the smooth leather, letting the back lead and turning on the back instead of the edge. One thing that wasn't clear was whether the blade should be flat or at a slight angle when stropping. Some of the FAQs say flat, a few YouTube videos say angle. So I did the laps such that the blade made a slight hissing sound, angling a bit with full tension on the strop. Laying the blade flat didn't make any sound, which I interpreted as not polishing the edge.

This time, it cut a few strokes which were OK, but not painless. Then it started skipping and dragging on my face, and I put it down to finish with my DE. The DE was very refreshing!

I'm thinking about sending the blade back to get rehoned, but from what I can gather, VintageStraightRazor uses Chef's Mate electric sharpeners to hone and strop the blade. I'm not sure the edge can get any better that way, but before I spend money on a hone (which I may not be able to use correctly), I'd like to know what other actions I can take before looking to other solutions (like a different blade).

Thanks for reading. Happy to be here, and looking forward to advice!

There's no point whatsoever sending that razor shaped object anywhere to be honed, it's unusable for shaving, the steel can not hold an edge at all. I just spent a few days with one of them. Pure crap.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...ons-razor.html

Hi and welcome to SRP. I looked at the link and it does not say who manufactured the razor, so that is a bit of a concern. It should be stamped on the tang though, which is commonly done noting the manufacturer and country of origin.

Originally Posted by jrhorn424

It felt fine on the back of thumbnail, and there was no warping or frowning on the blade, and the blade arrived without honing damage (which was apparently common). I figured it just needed good stropping.

If your razor was in fact "shave ready" it no longer is if you ran the blade across your thumbnail, that test is just used when setting the bevel. Check the classifieds here and in the member services, you'll find quite a few members who offer honing, by hand, at reasonable rates. Send a few of them PM's and I am certain someone will be able to help you out. As for stropping, the blade should be flat on the strop whilst stropping. The tugging and pulling could also indicate your blade angle relative to your face is off by a few degrees. I know that for a seemingly simple way of shaving, there are a lot of variables that go into this hobby to be able to get a close and comfortable shave. If you have not done so already, read the beginners info from the links on the home page of the forum and ask any questions if you don't find answers for them there. Keep us posted and best of luck.

P.S. The classifieds offer some great "shave ready" razors at decent prices should you decide to invest in a different or just another razor.

Hmmm... since their address is in Sandpoint, Idaho perhaps gssixgun could drop by their office and give them some pointers on how to sell _good_ straight razors. *grin*

One thing that wasn't clear was whether the blade should be flat or at a slight angle when stropping. Some of the FAQs say flat, a few YouTube videos say angle. So I did the laps such that the blade made a slight hissing sound, angling a bit with full tension on the strop. Laying the blade flat didn't make any sound, which I interpreted as not polishing the edge.

All straight razors are designed to be honed _flat on the stone_, and to be stropped _flat on the strop_. The thickness of the spine gives the correct honing and stropping angle at the edge.

Stropping a razor with the spine raised will most likely damage the edge. Although, with the razor you used (according to Blix), it might not make much difference.

You can get an inexpensive vintage razor from the Classified on this site, or from Larry at "www.whippeddog.com" . _That_ razor will shave your face.

Charles

I have to agree with the other replies.

Don't throw good money after bad on a razor that just simply will never be any good.

You have a strop, you have a brush, all you need now is a decent razor.

Look through the classifieds here and I virtually guarantee that within a week you will find a good razor that will serve you well for many years. The best part is, it will probably be well under $75, depending on the brand and how much work went into restoring it and it will be truly shave ready.

Many years ago, when I first started riding a motorcycle the subject of helmets came up and my mentor gave me some good words of advice.

"If you feel you have a $20 head, buy a $20 helmet"

Replace head with face and helmet with razor....you get the idea.

Straight razor shaving can be, and should be a pleasurable experience, but only when you have the right tools. The technique and speed will come with time, so just enjoy the process.

Their website dictates that if you use their honing service they will "resurface hone" and "steel" your razor if it needs it.

You can't see me, obviously, but this keyboard of mine has become salty and slick from my ever flowing tears.

For the love of Pete....that is just a monstrosity.

I get angry when I read stuff like that.

** If you want a straight razor shave....then buy yourself a straight razor**

My only comment is "bad news". Run away from that outfit.

Originally Posted by Maxi

Their website dictates that if you use their honing service they will "resurface hone" and "steel" your razor if it needs it.

You can't see me, obviously, but this keyboard of mine has become salty and slick from my ever flowing tears.

For the love of Pete....that is just a monstrosity.

I get angry when I read stuff like that.

** If you want a straight razor shave....then buy yourself a straight razor**

Spending time on Vintage Straight Razor | Straight Razor | Home | VintageStraightRazor.com is not good for your blood pressure.
After spending some "quality time" with one of their sorry excuses of a razor, I think it's a damn shame that some get lured into buying stuff from there.

I like your style--bow ties, pipe smoking, cigars, safety razor shaving, and now straight-edge shaving. Those are all things that I am attracted to as well.

++1 on the advice tendered in the previous posts about your straight razor acquisition.

Don't despair, though. As suggested, you can pick up a honed shave ready razor in the SRP Classifieds for a reasonable amount.

If the razors in the SRP Classifieds don't strike your fancy, pm me. I know of at least one online retailer who sells shave ready vintage straight razors, some of which are reasonably priced for a beginner.