Thread: A Few Questions

Hello.

I apologize in advance if I ask any "stupid" questions.

1. The Razor

From what I've read Dovo seems to be a reputable company. Is this a "good" razor for a beginner?

Amazon.com: Dovo Best Quality, Full Hollow Carbon Steel, 5/8", Black Handle: Health & Personal Care

2. The Strop

Can anyone recommend a specific strop? I'm clueless.

3. The Hone

Should a beginner hone their own blade. If so, using which specific hone?

I don't want to buy something that I shouldn't.


Many thanks!

Hi, ShantJ, and welcome to SRP! On to your questions.

1. Yes. Dovo has a fine reputation.
2. Poor Man's strop from whippeddog.com.
3. No rookie cutthroat shaver has any business honing. Learn to properly strop first.
See you in the trenches, buddy!

Both are great deals. My first was a Dovo Best Quality from SRD. And Whipped Dog sells shave ready vintage straight razors. I've had very good experience with both.

Shant, Dovos are fine. That 'Best Quality' is a fine blade for the buck. You can enjoy those for learning or years later. The worst one I've honed would give a fine shave.

On Honing. Most of us are incapable of resisting the itch to do our own edges right away. Its not rocket science, but also not an overnight success. When you're learning the shave w/ the str8, you need better edges than you will need when you're more experienced. A professional quality edge will allow you to learn the shave faster and more easily. It also gets you used to how an edge SHOULD feel - so when you do take up honing - you'll know when you're there or getting close. I made the mistake of trying to learn both at the same time. If I could do it again, I'd learn the shave first - then learn to hone. If the cost of getting an edge refreshed intimidates you - I'd be happy to do it for free - just the cost to get the blade back to you. When I learned, I'm sure there were others that could have done that for me, but I seemed to have this stubborn need to do it the hard way. I bled alot as a result.

On Strops, our own beloved Gssixgun had a great post on strops and stropping. The idea to lay it on a hard flat surface was really smart.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/begin...ch-2011-a.html

The Illinois 127/827 are great, the ruprazor 'filly', the star shaving 'big mama'. These 'value' oriented strops are fully capable strops. They may need a bit of extra break-in. I break in a strop by at least 1,000 strokes of the palm of your hand (1 stroke = one trip up and one trip back). I'll often wipe my hand on my forehead for the extra oil.

'Hope you enjoy your first shaves. Keep asking questions. You'll find the guys here are wonderful at helping new shavers. They were incredibly patient and kind to me. Let me know If I can be of help.

I ordered a "Poor Man Strop" from whippeddog.com and got it pretty quick, with-in the week.

Pics of your gear are always welcome!

It arrived!

It's a "ELL-BEE" according to the markings.



I used it and didn't bleed, so I'm off to a good start, I think.

After shaving and drying, should I coat it in the oil that it came with, or in Vaseline?

Shant, it looks like a DFB (damn fine blade).

If Larry sent oil w/ the razor, I'd use it. I've tried a number of methods, but I'm kinda warming up to the vaseline idea. Easy, single wipe w/ a dab on the finger. Presently, I either start w/ mineral oil, and melt some bee's wax into it to keep it in place. As it turns out - vaseline is just mineral oil and wax also - though not likely the costly bee's wax. Since you mentioned just vaseline, I'm remembering using it to lube finely finished machine parts. 'Can't see why it wouldn't be fine for a razor.

'Very glad to hear the first shave was good. Mine was, uh, colorful. There's a reason I'm called 'pinklather'. Welcome to the clan. You'll soon be getting the best shaves of your life. Should you need a hand w/ your edges, pm me. Pick up cost of postage and a bubble-pack envelope. The honing is free.

CONGRATS!!

Thanks!

By the way, I only did a touch-up. An actual shave may very well be "colorful."