Hey everyone!! New to srp!

Newbie here. Didn't really do a whole bunch of research before I started shaving. Got an old henkels twin razor from an uncle, a little smaller than normal razors, smaller than 6/8 for sure. Anyways, went and grabbed a mug, soap, badger brush, strop and fine hone from local barber shop. (not much selection). Got home, put some soap on hone, did that, then stropped it canvas back first then leather, AND GOT TO IT! lol surprisingly it wasn't bad at all. Hasnt been used in prolly 30-40 years. Didn't cut myself, it did a good job. I figure with practice and getting it "shave ready" will prolly give me a much better shave though. Used some lotion moisturizer I had for face cause I don't know what else to use. Anyways, what brough me here is this:

1)Id like to purchase a good, shave ready razor. One that I can learn with, grow into, and use for years.
2)What do I use for an "after shave" per ce, or moisturizer.
3)Good soap? I think what I got is called williams.
4)Got an Illinois strop, is that good?
5) hone is have feels super fine. I just threw bag away today. The label said something like Arkansas hone. Small white stone. Any good?

Id really appreciate any help, or direction. Luckily I didn't have a bad experience lol but if someone can point me in the right direction and lead me to getting a good razor and setup that'd be great. Thanks!! Glad to join the group!

welcome to srp sounds like you got a good razor. I don't know much about the hone. Williams is OK. I like proraso preshave and soap for normal skin (green label) and as for post shave (moisturizer and aftershave balm as well a once a week there face scrub) Baxter of California. you can get free samples of their products but shipping cost $5 something from their web site Baxter of California | Mens Grooming Sets hope this helps you

1. looks like you already have good razor, but you need to send it for honing to someone. You can find someone near you
Member Services - Straight Razor Place Classifieds
Also you can find some great vintage shave ready razor in classifieds.
Or you can purchase new razor from SRD or other vendor (look at vendors section)
2. I use l'Occitane cade aftershave balm, you can also try Proraso pre/after shave.
3. Personally I don't like Williams soap, but it's cheap so it worth to try.
4. Illinois strop must be good
5. I'm never used arkansas stones, but I heard good feedbacks about them

Welcome to SRP!
Good job so far, your uncle was mighty kind. normal sizes for a razor for shaving are 4/8" to 8/8" with most of them in the 5/8" to 6/8" anymore. the Henckels is a great vintage brand.

many of our vendors offer great prehoned razors... prices vary from vintage to new as do the designs $30 to $2k... try the vendors corner, the classifieds or straight razor designs, vintagebladesllc, classic shaving whippeddog are all very popular vendors.

i generally do not use a moisturizer just aftershave or witch hazel, so i really cannot help you there.

williams is ok soap, look fro either poraso or c o bigalow you might be able to find them at bed bath and beyond, i like tabac, floris, trumpers, truefitt & hill, taylors and for creams i like castle forbes, and all the above brands these i all buy online, many of the makers have relatively cheap sample sizes.

Illinois strops are nice and will last a couple of lifetimes if cared for.

hones are interesting some of the arkys work for razors most do not. you could go back to the barber and ask again. you can barber's hone to keep an edge going for years.

as for general help read gssixgun's beginner's tips.

read strop and shave!

enjoy,
jim

Thanks guys for all the info!! Never thought I'd get such good feedback! Glad to hear I got a good razor, I need to post a pic if I can figure it out, I'm guessing it would be like a 4/8? It's very light, and the blade seems really thin. I was kindve interested to try a 6/8, a little bigger, with a little more weight to it. I'll check out the vendors y'all posted and I'll definitely be getting some new soap and aftershave. The Williams doesn't smell good at ALL that's for sure lol. There's not much here in town that offers a lot for straight razors, (rumor is they are illegal for barbers to use, don't think that's true though), but I found an old barber in town that has used a straight razor for 46 years. Unfortunately it's been so long since he's used one he couldn't really give me any tips on honing. But he explained the mircoscopic teeth etc very well. He even still had the razors he learned on!

Anyways, on the box my razor reads:

J.a. Henckels
Twin works solingen Germany.

On the razor it reads:

Tonsorial gem
F.a. Clauberg
New-York
Made in Germany.

Maybe y'all can tell me a little info on it? When I look for my next razor, what should I look for in the vendors? Brand? I know to make sure it's "shave ready". It doesn't have to be vintage or anything. I just wanna make sure I get a good one :)

Oh! And do I need strop paste? Barber supply said I wouldn't need any for the strop I got..

Also if you don't want used razor, but want something special - try to find NOS (New Old Stock) razor

Went to classifieds. The first razor on there by manah seems nice. Any thoughts? Not sure if I went to right place, by I clicked on straight razors. Says its shave ready. Maybe someone knows a little more about it, if it fits my experience level etc.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Imfast101

Thanks guys for all the info!! Never thought I'd get such good feedback! Glad to hear I got a good razor, I need to post a pic if I can figure it out, I'm guessing it would be like a 4/8? .... <snip>... He even still had the razors he learned on!

Anyways, on the box my razor reads:

J.a. Henckels
Twin works solingen Germany.

On the razor it reads:

Tonsorial gem
F.a. Clauberg
New-York
Made in Germany.

Maybe y'all can tell me a little info on it? When I look for my next razor, what should I look for in the vendors? Brand? I know to make sure it's "shave ready". It doesn't have to be vintage or anything. I just wanna make sure I get a good one :)

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So just the box says Henckels? the "tonsorial gem" by Clauberg is a nice little razor that will shave very well. quite often over the years things get put in different boxes... you know like your cds and dvds ... what matters is what is on the item inside.

for brand new razors you will find Boker, Dovo and Thiers-Issard... all three companies make good razors. then there is Hartsteel and dozens of custom makers.
we have a list of "new" razors that will not hold an edge, for love nor money. unfortunately some of them are modern incarnations of once great razor brands and capitalize on the name. just check the wiki before you buy.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Imfast101

Went to classifieds. The first razor on there by manah seems nice. Any thoughts? Not sure if I went to right place, by I clicked on straight razors. Says its shave ready. Maybe someone knows a little more about it, if it fits my experience level etc.

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I know anybody except Manach who can know more about this razor, try to ask him. As for me it's good razor. You can also check his site for more razors
STRAZORS.com - all about classic razors - Home page
If Manach mark it as shave ready - be sure it will be really shave ready

Sorry! I didn't see your response! Ima check those links out for sure. Using my iPhone to do all this and it's proving to be a pain. Thanks for the info, ima jump on computer shortly and start reading. I don't mind spending a little it if I know ima get something good :) I know one thing, straight razor shaves give the smoothest shaves, I was hooked after I had a barber shave me once, my first wasn't that good tho. Left some hairs here and there, and I didn't want to overshave.

Checked out that link, the fine gentlemens one, straight razor designs. I really like the dovo Bismarck. I hear to start off with a 6/8, so that's what I looked for. Seems really nice, and they come shave ready. What you experienced gents think?

It's good razor, also I think (just IMHO) that steel on all modern razor such as Dovo and Thier almost identical, all the difference in handle and in engrave, so after right honing all this razors will give great shaves and all else up to you, how much you can spend and wich prettier to you.
6/8 good size, but you can also look at 5/8, at the beginning you will not fell the difference

I love my 4/8 F.A. Clauberg Tonsorial Gem. It was my first razor and is #1 in my rotation.

really? you like it that much? thats good news then maybe i have a good one. i just really liked the way the bismark looked :P would it be considered an entry level razor? i wouldnt mind spending the money to have a good razor, especially just getting into it, having a nice sharp razor that doesnt require a lot of skill to keep sharp would be nice. i know theres all different kinds of metals each with its own characteristics. Here is some pics of mine i got. you prolly have the same thing. maybe?Attachment 95166Attachment 95167Attachment 95168

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Imfast101

I found an old barber in town that has used a straight razor for 46 years. Unfortunately it's been so long since he's used one he couldn't really give me any tips on honing. But he explained the mircoscopic teeth etc very well.

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The 'microscopic teeth' is wrong misconception that made its way into the barber's manual. Good razors honed well don't really have teeth.

did the pictures work? not sure if anybody saw them!

i guess i shouldve included in that reply, how do i remove what looks like tarnish? it might be little rust spots coming up that i can feel. maybe you can see in that pic. im debating getting that dovo. i really liked the wood handles tho, but the bismarks blade is pretty :) i did some research on the net, looks like i should look for high carbon steel and full hallow. keeps edge longer? sorry for all the questions, i mostly always double check info; but i do appreciate all the help! ima go ahead and send my razor off to straight razor designs, im guessing they are good. when i do that i might just go ahead and buy another, along with some new soap, and maybe some aftershave. i definitely need some, but theres so many choices! and i dont wanna go around smelling like an old man lol

damnit idk why i just dont make one big reply, but a lot of yall said that boker and dovo are pretty much the same, well all three makers that is. does anyone have any preferences over the other? and why? i like the boker arbolito too. seems nice.

Ok I will try to answer with my clumsy English :) razor looks good after light polish and honing you will have great razor - SRD one of the best places to do so. About steel - I prefer carbon steel I think it more soft and forgiving and easier to strop, but stainless will hold edge longer, about hollow ground I still didn't make my personal opinion. If to chose between Dovo and Thier I prefer Thier just because I didn't like gold on the blade and Thier has clean polish blades.

I think that round point easier to use at the start.
As for aftershaves it's very personal, try to find some local store and sniff around everything :)

Sounds like the razor you have is more than fine. Just ship it off to be hones.

Illinois strop, mine was cheap and fine 2nd was creased. Take a moment to read up and inspect your strop, its the main thing to keep the hone away. Speaking of which, I have no clue on your specific hone.

From:
Hall's Pro Edge - Choosing the Right Arkansas Stone Grade
and you description of color and a barber recommendation, you probably have the best arkansas for the job.

Williams was not bad for me to lather, and did not feel bad on my face. But it smells like a chemical factory IMO.

I am sure you will come across lots of recommendations, so I will provide an anti-recommendation. Something of a minimal baseline IMO:

Bath or hot water soak the face.

tiny dab of conditioner rubbed on face

lather

shave

rinse

coldest the faucet gets rinse

Personally the cheap van der hagen luxury shave set has seen me though the first 5 months of learning

Thanks for the info. Did those pictures work? I'm gonna send it off to be honed this week. I guess I should prolly call before I do and see how much it'd cost to polish and clean as well. Since y'all say my razor is good, I may just stick with it for a while. I was debating on buying a new one from SRD and using it to shave, but use the f.a. Clauberg to learn to hone? Ahh so many choices. Tried to shave with it today, definitely getting dull and dragging bad. I hope I'm stropping correctly. I watched a few videos, but there's nothing like experience. I was using the canvas back first, then the leather side.

Imfast,

The photos are fine.

At this point focus on getting your vintage razor lightly restored (ie. blade buffed and polished) and honed. That will insure that it is a sweet shaver for you.

Then practice stropping. After that, get a Chromium Oxide pasted balsa wood strop to maintain the edge.

All of the above should help you keep the edge on that razor from 6-12 months after it has been honed. You won't need a hone or an Arkansas stone until then.

Personally, I would hold off on using the Arkansas stone until you've gotten some experience with straight razor shaving. IMHO your Clauberg is too good a razor to practice honing on.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jhenry

All of the above should help you keep the edge on that razor from 6-12 months after it has been honed. You won't need a hone or an Arkansas stone until then.

Personally, I would hold off on using the Arkansas stone until you've gotten some experience with straight razor shaving. IMHO your Clauberg is too good a razor to practice honing on.

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I'm absolutely agree with jhenry. If you want to practise honing buy some cheap vintage razor off eBay, and also I recommend to purchase cheap pocket microscope.
For example I purchased this one:
eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices
And believe me it open my eyes on my stropping and honing!

Oh, and be prepared to change your handle. imfast with an extrememly sharp razor near the neck sounds unnecessarily dangerous.

Haha thanks guys!! Ima definitely contact SRD about honing and polishing. Great info guys. I'll report back everything I end up with etc.

My handle is so old haha I use it for all kinds of stuff, been around for prolly 10 years haha easy to remember! When I think of a fast straight razor shave, look no further than the 3 stooges haha love those oldies! :P

SRD doesn't polish them :-/ it looks good tho, I'll just get it honed for now I guess.

I heard that the guy who hones for SRD tries to do a light buffing on your razors when he hones them when possible.

Have fun.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Imfast101

SRD doesn't polish them :-/ it looks good tho, I'll just get it honed for now I guess.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lynn

I heard that the guy who hones for SRD tries to do a light buffing on your razors when he hones them when possible.

Have fun.

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Where would you have heard that?:roflmao

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jaswarb

Where would you have heard that?:roflmao

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i'm sure that is just an urban legend.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lynn

I heard that the guy who hones for SRD tries to do a light buffing on your razors when he hones them when possible.

Have fun.

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Sorry I've been away for a few days!! I placed an order the other day with SRD to get it honed. Nice to meet you lynn!! Someone pmed me and gave me a heads up lol you'd be willing to put a little buff to it?? :) I haven't sent it out yet, waiting to be off work when the post office is actually open!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Imfast101

Sorry I've been away for a few days!! I placed an order the other day with SRD to get it honed. Nice to meet you lynn!! Someone pmed me and gave me a heads up lol you'd be willing to put a little buff to it?? :) I haven't sent it out yet, waiting to be off work when the post office is actually open!

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Imfast,

You won't be disappointed. SRD's honemeister is one of the best--and he also does excellent vintage razor restorations.

Here's a sample of some of his work: Vintage Blades LLC::Vintage Straight Razors::German Made

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Imfast101

Newbie here. Didn't really do a whole bunch of research before I started shaving. Got an old henkels twin razor from an uncle, a little smaller than normal razors, smaller than 6/8 for sure. Anyways, went and grabbed a mug, soap, badger brush, strop and fine hone from local barber shop. (not much selection). Got home, put some soap on hone, did that, then stropped it canvas back first then leather, AND GOT TO IT! lol surprisingly it wasn't bad at all. Hasnt been used in prolly 30-40 years. Didn't cut myself, it did a good job. I figure with practice and getting it "shave ready" will prolly give me a much better shave though. Used some lotion moisturizer I had for face cause I don't know what else to use. Anyways, what brough me here is this:

1)Id like to purchase a good, shave ready razor. One that I can learn with, grow into, and use for years.
2)What do I use for an "after shave" per ce, or moisturizer.
3)Good soap? I think what I got is called williams.
4)Got an Illinois strop, is that good?
5) hone is have feels super fine. I just threw bag away today. The label said something like Arkansas hone. Small white stone. Any good?

Id really appreciate any help, or direction. Luckily I didn't have a bad experience lol but if someone can point me in the right direction and lead me to getting a good razor and setup that'd be great. Thanks!! Glad to join the group!

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Welcome to SRP........As you will see, there is a myriad of opinions here..........Always feel free to ask questions...!