I was wondering, does anyone recommend using a practice razor?
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I was wondering, does anyone recommend using a practice razor?
What do you mean by practice razor?
Like a dummy razor for practicing stropping or like a cheap razor for practicing honing, or something else?
Its pretty much, an unsharpened blade.
It is common practice for newbies to the honing process to get a cheap razor and a set of hones and practice with it.
If you want to get one please make sure it is in decent condition, you do not want to start with fixing frowns or huge chips or getting a blade with devils spit that looks like swiss cheese.
If they come from a website marketing them as "practice razors" for honing - do a search on the brand name.
If it's what I'm thinking of - it's a blade that's on our "do not buy" list...
Why would you want to pay $15 for a blade that can't take a shaving edge?
You won't learn anything about honing other than what it's like to be frustrated.
I think I know what you asking about. I have a razor on one side of the tang it's marked practice razor,Made in Solingen Germany and on the other side it says international Cutlery Co. The Blade is 5/8 square point it is not sharp there is no bevel. From what I understand is these were used in Barber Schools. These were used before they moved on to a sharp razor. If this is what you have use it until you are ready if thats what you want to do or just go for it. I have never used the one I have I don't remember where it came Fromm
The blade can be honed professionally and turned into a usable razor. I would imagine that the purpose of the razor is to get used to stropping on a dull razor to capture technique.
I'm always grateful for the advice.
A practice razor is good for stropping practice and maybe some very basic honing practice but for actual shaving it's the feedback of the razor that tells you if you are doing a good job.If you had someone there to tell you what you were doing like in a school it would be OK but by yourself you could use one of those and be doing everything wrong and never know it until you thought you had it down right and then switched to a real razor and instantly got the message. By then you will have reinforced all the wrong moves and have to relearn everything.