Thread: Imperial Razor 20507 find!

Ed, welcome to SRP.

Seems like you jumped in the pool and the water wasn't what you were expecting. SRP's really a great place with loads of info and good gents who are here to help each other out.

So far as your experience goes: Perfectly doable shave routine. Would it work for most people? Probably not. Is it the best you could attain? I'd personally doubt it. Did it work? Sure seems like it did!

Hard ark's are used with razors. They may not be the most popular, but they're definitely servicable.
Belts are strips of leather, and if yours is clean, smooth, and relatively soft then there's really no difference between that and a strop.
Canned gel is made for shaving, it definitely works, though it may not be the "best" for straight shaving, and is certainly not the cheapest option for the same quality (and better) lather.

Really, so far as money is concerned a straight razor setup to last a lifetime (except for soap) costs about as much as four months of cartridge shaving cost me--that's two razors, a strop, brush, and barber's hone. I spend about $9/yr on soap. The only thing cheaper would be to just grow a beard. (I currently have a beard, but shave my neck daily)

So far as prep goes, there are two schools of thought--heat and soften, cool and contract. Sounds like you went toward the latter, which is fine and what I tend toward.

So all that said, you may have gone contrary to recommendations for first timers, but you definitely were on the same playing field. Good luck with your journey!

Peace,
Jim

If moneys an issue or you don't want to invest in something you don't know if you like yet, there's lots of ways to save money. I made my linen strop from an old pair of jeans by the instructions in the library on SRP. And a paddle strop from a leather guitar strap and a piece of wood. To top it off my shaving soap in a bar of goats milk soap in a regular mug with a little baby oil or cream. Everything there i already had, just thought it was junk. All works great.

Maybe later i'll upgrade, but in the old days very few people had the stuff most of the guys here on SRP has.

Wish you the best.

Thanks for all the input people,it means alot to me.My father and grandfather passed before they could teach me how this all worked.So on docs orders I'm kinda on my own trying to learn how to shave at 43 years old.Tax money is coming so maybe I can buy some things to upgrade.I'm thinking a paddle strop in place of my belt, a brush and soap and maybe a new razor and hone.Not much available in our valley,so is the web site on the header of the forum good for ordering from?

Originally Posted by Edwardd

I keep a full beard,so when I shave it's only my throat or neck if you like.So my first shave with this razor violated all your rules.I shaved my entire neck on the first try I used canned jell and a hot towel.

So what's with all the prep and money?

I am very positive we do not have rules how to shave, we have guidelines to help newbies so they can develop the skill properly as it takes time and it is not automatic success from the first try. For what it's worth I did full shaves from the first try and had very good success.
As far as all prep and money, it is up to every member to decide what to do with their funds, and how much prep to do and so on. Some are minimalistic when it comes to creams soaps preshave splashes etc, some people like to try all kinds of products who are we to judge? Over time people discover what works best for them, some need no prep and some need more prep, it is all individual depending on skin type and beard type.

Originally Posted by Edwardd

Not much available in our valley,so is the web site on the header of the forum good for ordering from?

You in "The" valley? I grew up on "The" river in OR, up the gorge from Portland.

Antique stores can yield some interesting finds, and there are quite a few SRP members in your neck of the woods. So far as reputable dealers online there are quite a few.

The classifieds here offer great deals on all shaving equipment, and sold by the same guys who are giving advice and helping one another out.
There's also a section in the classifieds for vendors who sell everything from hobby forged razors to hones and strops.
Then there's a whole host of websites including but in no way limited to...
Classic Shaving
Straight Razor Designs
Vintage Blades
Gem Star Customs
Whipped Dog - A favorite "bargain" dealer.
and lots lots more.

I've done business with a couple of those listed, but have no stake in any of them.

Just stay away from ebay. If it's new, it's trash. If it's vintage it's a toss up, and if money's tight no sense gambling it a way when good, tested, cheaper alternatives abound.

Best of luck,
Jim

So after searching the Rogue Valley it looks like online is where I will get my gear.The barber suppliers did not know what a straight razor or shaving soap was.I had to refer to Clint Eastwood in the Unforgiven movie to give them a clue!

I realy like Lynn&Don's site so this will most likely be where I start.

Originally Posted by 111Nathaniel

My only warning is: if you continue using a straight razor you'll end up beardless! Eventually.

say it aint so! actually while getting a couple friends into SRs i considered shaving my goatee so i could learn how to shave my chin and upper lip along with them.. but, meh..

Originally Posted by 111Nathaniel

My only warning is: if you continue using a straight razor you'll end up beardless! Eventually.

Nope to many scars on my face from the infection.Beardless will never happen.

Originally Posted by ezpz

say it aint so! actually while getting a couple friends into SRs i considered shaving my goatee so i could learn how to shave my chin and upper lip along with them.. but, meh..

I wear a goatee as well...only for the wife though.

edwardd, i think that as others have posted before its we are all in search of the perfect shave. i tend to look at it as a zen thing, one step leads to another, the journey. but then again i could just be full of poop. but i find that one isnt as good without the other.