sharpening straight razors

so i got a cheapo straight razor the other day its a crowing rooster. I bought it and it wasn't sharp so I sharpened it on my diamond sharpener. I was able to get it to shave are hair easily and I was barely able to get some whiskers shaved with it on my face. I saw this video on youtube saying that you could just use any old leather belt instead of a strop. I laid it flat on a table and put a little jewelers rouge on it and tried to finish my sharpening job but I can't seem to get it to shave my face at all. Is this thing about using a belt instead of a strop really true? so far the best results I have had was just shaving right after using my diamond sharpener but i was still only able to get like five whiskers to come off lol

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Originally Posted by maliveline

so i got a cheapo straight razor the other day its a crowing rooster. I bought it and it wasn't sharp so I sharpened it on my diamond sharpener. I was able to get it to shave are hair easily and I was barely able to get some whiskers shaved with it on my face. I saw this video on youtube saying that you could just use any old leather belt instead of a strop. I laid it flat on a table and put a little jewelers rouge on it and tried to finish my sharpening job but I can't seem to get it to shave my face at all. Is this thing about using a belt instead of a strop really true? so far the best results I have had was just shaving right after using my diamond sharpener but i was still only able to get like five whiskers to come off lol

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If the steel your razor is made from is inferior, then no amount of honing and stropping will get it sharp enough. You have purchased a razor shaped object, it's maybe capable of opening envelopes:D

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Originally Posted by maliveline

so i got a cheapo straight razor the other day its a crowing rooster. I bought it and it wasn't sharp so I sharpened it on my diamond sharpener. I was able to get it to shave are hair easily and I was barely able to get some whiskers shaved with it on my face. I saw this video on youtube saying that you could just use any old leather belt instead of a strop. I laid it flat on a table and put a little jewelers rouge on it and tried to finish my sharpening job but I can't seem to get it to shave my face at all. Is this thing about using a belt instead of a strop really true? so far the best results I have had was just shaving right after using my diamond sharpener but i was still only able to get like five whiskers to come off lol

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I think you should take a look in the wiki for more information.

The rooster is not a good blade to start with. The knife sharpener will never get good results as its grits are to low to get a shaving edge.

A real strop will provide much better results than a belt.

There are several members and vendors that have nice set-ups for very reasonable prices. I would look in the wiki for supporting vendors and throw out a few pms.

Good luck and welcome to the site.

Hi there,

Being frank, the razor you purchased is good for opening envelopes. Not for your face, ever.

I'd get over to the classifieds section if I were you. There are many vendors there who sell quality vintage material at completely reasonable prices. For a new razor, SRD is a good place to start your research.

Good luck.

ya i kinda figured the razor was crap. to be honest i was just curious if using a belt would actually work in substitute of a strop. I'm not sure if i want to drop a bunch of cash on a straight razor though. in theory i was hoping to use one instead of pissing away money on disposable blades but im not really sure if its for me.

As far as the belt thing goes, yes they can be used as a substitute with more or less success depending on the belt, but of course as in most things it is better to have a tool made for the job. I've found a reasonably good piece of leather from about 2 inches wide is sufficient for most uses, so generally cost should not be a stumbling block when it comes to strops.

James.

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Originally Posted by maliveline

ya i kinda figured the razor was crap. to be honest i was just curious if using a belt would actually work in substitute of a strop. I'm not sure if i want to drop a bunch of cash on a straight razor though. in theory i was hoping to use one instead of pissing away money on disposable blades but im not really sure if its for me.

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Learning to use a straight razor requires a level of commitment most people aren't willing to deal with . To get started you will need a shave ready razor , and a half decent strop . Read , and learn as much as you can before you buy anything . That way , you will know what you need to look for . It will take time before you start getting good shaves , and more time before you start getting great shaves . You need to decide if this is what you really want to do .

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned whippeddog.com. I haven't dealt with Larry personally, but he gets great reviews. His shave ready razor and strop deal is $55.00. However you decide to go, 55 bucks is a small investment that you could recover a large portion of if you decided it's not for you. And, if you think about it, thats only a few months worth of the multi-blade cartridges, and you get the close shave and satisfaction of shaving with a straight.

Give it a shot, it's only money!

Larry is class act. Not the prettiest but the most functional razors. The resale value is almost what you paid for it.

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Originally Posted by robellison01

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned whippeddog.com. I haven't dealt with Larry personally, but he gets great reviews. His shave ready razor and strop deal is $55.00. However you decide to go, 55 bucks is a small investment that you could recover a large portion of if you decided it's not for you. And, if you think about it, thats only a few months worth of the multi-blade cartridges, and you get the close shave and satisfaction of shaving with a straight.

Give it a shot, it's only money!

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actually I'm totally feeling like spending money on this project today. If I was going to spend 150 dollars on just a straight razor which one would you guys recommend

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Originally Posted by maliveline

actually I'm totally feeling like spending money on this project today. If I was going to spend 150 dollars on just a straight razor which one would you guys recommend

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After the $150 are you still going to have funds to spare on a strop, hone, shaving accessories?

My beginner tactic was for a shave-ready starter set for $50, then a nice strop. I know I'll eventually end up with a finishing hone and who knows what else. Ends up being close to $150. I'd hate to have spent the whole fund on a razor alone.

I'd strongly recommend that you pick up a less expensive razor as your first. That way you have $ left over for a second razor.

While not STRICTLY necessary to have 2, it does make it a lot easier to have another ready to go when your first is out being honed (When you roll the edge learning to strop for example.... Happens to most of us ;) )

I have money comming out of the ass

All the more reason not to flush it...

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Originally Posted by maliveline

I have money comming out of the ass

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In that case , you may want to check out some Thiers Issard razors .

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Originally Posted by osdset

If the steel your razor is made from is inferior, then no amount of honing and stropping will get it sharp enough. You have purchased a razor shaped object, it's maybe capable of opening envelopes:D

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Is this just a quote that floats around SRP. I'm sure i've seen it before but can't remember LOL.

lol, Funny thread here. Go with what you think you will like man, Cuz in the end its all what you want. You can probably get 3-4 pages of peoples thoughts on what you should buy. But what they would buy might not be what you like. Check out the wiki on this site and do some reading. It will really help you out. keep us posted on what you end up doing. Goodluck

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Originally Posted by dbala

Is this just a quote that floats around SRP. I'm sure i've seen it before but can't remember LOL.

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You've seen it before , and you'll see it again . Unfortunetly , all too often a noob buys a piece of junk off ebay that looks like a straight razor . These are new razors that sell for $5-$20 , and the "damascus" ones usually cost $40-$100 . They all have one thing in common : The grind , heat treat , tempering , and steel are inferior for using as a razor . If by some miracle you do manage to put a shaving edge on one , it won't last long enough to finish the shave .