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Hey, I'm John and I'm pretty fresh to straight razors as I am still a youngster-ish (16). Just wanting some tips on how to take care of my tools here which I got as a gift from my brother (vvti713 or Elton as some of you may know). Am I allowed to use towels to dry them and such? How often should I hone the blade? Just general questions. Oh, and any opinions on what I got for a first straight razor :D
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Welcome to SRP!
yes use the towels to dry things, by all means. as for the set up he did you right proud. there are lots of tips and tricks in the beginner section to get you going. honing is something that should not be done unless the blade is dull so let Elton worry about it for you :) that's what older brother's are for.
enjoy,
jim
Very nice set-up indeed.
I give my blade a quick dry on the towel then after I have finished my post shave routine I use TP to dry the blade a final time and between the scales and around the tang. I find tp can be squished flat enough to get into the tighter spots and seems to absorb any remaining moisture.
If the blade is not being used for a few days or more I will give it a quick strop and then a few drops of oil to make sure to keep rust a bay while it sits
Welcome John. Your brother is the best help you are gonna get. Hands on. Tell him Tom said so! :D
looks like a great starter kit :) welcome to SRP!!!
Thanks for the feedback guys :D
Welcome to SRP, looks like you have a good brother giving you that nice setup. Good luck on your new journey.
Don't think hones for now. Think "Strop til you Drop". You are fortunate to have such a brother and likely your best tutor.
Hi, welcome, looks like a cool setup.
I dry the razor with a towel, but being careful of the edge.
I then strop 10/10 (canvas, leather) then wipe the blade with eucalyptus oil, taking care to get some around the pivot.
Sometimes I dip the pivot end of the razor in the bottle of oil and work the pivot back and forth a little.
I like some patina on some of my razors, but hate to see rust or dirt or marks on the inside of the scales.
16 great age to start SR shaving, I'm started in 22 and regret that I was to old and already had thick and dense stubble.
Looks like you have good starting kit, but I can't see strop on the picture, I think you will need it more then hone for the first time. Also I recommend you to make/purchase brush stand to hold down the bristles, it will prolong the life of the brush
Welcome,get help from the first hand..Your brother. i think he proudly give you some tips and tricks.
For the rest ask,and we help you.
by the way, great tools you have get from your brother. top!!
Welcome to SRP. Your brother set you up with some nice gear. First, ask your brother if the razor was honed by someone that knows how to hone straight razors and shaves with them. If the answer is no, send it to someone for a professional honing. Check the Classifieds forum here on SRP or send me a PM. Next, get a decent strop. An Illinois 827 can be had for from $35 to $45 dollars and will do the job until you are sure you won't cut an expensive strop. When your ready for a good strop check out Straight Razor Designs or other online vendors that sell and hone straight razors for a better strop if it's in your budget. Don't worry about honing for a few months. Learning to shave with a straight razor is challenging enough that learning to hone at the same time can be over the top. You can probably get over a year with your first professionally honed edge if you don't damage it and use chromium oxide paste or diamond sprays on a leather or canvas strop just to refine the edge whan it starts tugging, which would be in a few months. Other tips are to be sure and wipe the blade dry. Ya may not want to use your mother's hand towels though, you may cut them up. Water, shave cream/soap and or finger prints will rust the razor. Be sure to wipe them off. You can practice making shave lather as often as you like until you get good at it. You don't have to shave it off every time. Watch lots of vids and ask us lots of questions. We're her to help you along. When you start shaving, just start with your side burns until you get comfortable holding and moving the razor around. Finish your shave with what ever your using now. Good luck.
Welcome to the dark side......... By the way, I just started, and I'm 41. Good for you!
