Thread: Hello!

I've been toying with the idea of using a straight razor for a month or so, and after finding this site and reading a LOT of information, I decided to give it a go!

I'm new, and my first razor is this F.W Engels. It's in very fine shape, and appears to have not been used much at all. I don't know what type it is, it's not a fancier model. It's straight, stays put when it's opened and I hope that after a 4000/8000 hone and stropping, it'll perform as well as the above-mentioned blades. Glad I picked it up! Anyone know when it was made?







The thing I looked for in FleaBay razors was for a straight edge, mainly, and one that hasn't been worked too much. I have a strop coming, and (most likely,) a poor quality razor from Beauty and Barber. I found out after committing to buy that they aren't recommended, so keeping that in mind, I'll still hone and strop it and try. Might get lucky.

I've also got a Norton 4/8k hone coming, and have read about lapping both sides. I hope not to have to buy a stone from Norton, and that if I do it properly with the right type of sandpaper I'll be OK.


I'm excited to give this a try, but won't dare to attempt a shave until I have properly honed and finished my "new to me" Engels.

Thanks for all of the excellent information!

You'll probably need the Norton 4/8K stone after you strop your razor. Most newbies dull their razor while learning to strop and it'll take a mild touch up on the hone to get the edge back. Go slow, learn the strop first before you touch the blade to the hone. Wait on learning the honing until much later. Work on technique and stropping first. Then stick with the 4/8K stone until you master it before even thinking about a finishing stone. The Norton 4/8K stone is all you'll really need and you'll get a good edge off of it. Give yourself 3 months to get proficient at the straight and 6 months to get good. Above all, have patience and go slow at every step. Patience!!

Thanks for the advice on stropping first. I may practice using the B&B razor until I become proficient at stropping properly.

I've read here that even factory-honed blades require a proper honing to become shave-ready, and figured this "vintage" blade will no doubt need to be honed prior to use.
I can always practice on the B&B first, so if I get some education out of that crummy blade, at least I'll get some good use out of it, hahaha.

If I do it all properly, this Engels should produce a fine shave for many years to come.

I'll add that by "finish" I mean using the 8k stone. I've read here that "usually" it is enough. I know there are some purists here who demand using a 12k or finer stone to finish, but I don't have the funds to pull that off yet.

Don't be too dissappointed - I bought TWO 'titanium' razors before I found this place - and their strop was s^it as well.
You're on the right track now though.
Hang on and enjoy the ride

Originally Posted by Havachat45

Don't be too dissappointed - I bought TWO 'titanium' razors before I found this place - and their strop was s^it as well.
You're on the right track now though.
Hang on and enjoy the ride

Ha, I don't feel so bad. I figure it's part of the learning curve. Thirty or so bucks to learn a valuable lesson.
The B&B strop and razor showed up today, along with the 4/8k stones.

The strop is a POS.

The razor... cheap and crummy. The blade isn't even straight. It's got a frown 2/3 of the way to the toe. Lesson learned. I'll practice my honing on it. As for the strop, I'm going to be looking for a decent one, starting... now.


I stropped my Engels singing blade on the crappy strop, being very careful not to nick the leather and keep the spine in contact. I suppose this is testimony to the quality of this blade, but I was able to shave my sideburn areas, and around my van dyke rather quickly and with only one little nick by the curve of my chin. Still... it's a fine shave!
I'm excited that it only gets better!

I think about disposable razor cartridges and say, "Man! What were we thinking by getting away from quality steel and a fine edge?!?"


I'm impressed, and it takes a lot to impress me.

I've found a lot of good reviews here for Star Shaving's strops, and ordered a 3" bridle strop. The price was nice, and I've read they're good quality.

I'm sure it's a fine strop to start with, and have read a few posts here from guys who started with them and still use them, even though they've bought other strops!

That's a good sign.
On Wednesday, I'm going to prepare my hones and practice on the cheapy B&B blade. Heck, I will practice stropping with it, too... since it has that dip in the edge and will probably never touch my face.

Hi Scott,

Well, you're lucky you've got a matched blade and strop you can practice with. The education from them will be worth their price.

That Engels looks like a very nice blade. I've bought two antique store blades that were very close to shave-ready; sometimes you just get lucky. It's a good sign when the razor has its original box; that says that someone took good care of their stuff, or that it didn't see much action before you got it.

Sounds like you're making good use of the site. We're here for you.

Where are you located?

Best wishes to you

If you want to, send the razor to me and I'll hone it up for you on me. That will buy you some time to practice honing and learning to shave.

Have fun

Lynn's a pretty classy guy!