Thread: New Guy looking to learn the ropes

hey everybody, names Jon Wright. I have wanted to learn to use a straight razor for a long time and found a cool old one at an antique shop and figured id give it a shot. I have been doing a little reading on here and it looks like there are a few people that can get my old razor shave ready. I have watched several videos and used a few of the techniques with just my standard razor and was amazed at how good of a shave i got. lots of people say this is the best shave you can get, so i figure its worth the practice to get it right. i really like learning new skills. Plus its pretty much the manliest way to shave.

The razor i found is a 1000 Max Mergenbaum Köln. i paid 25 bucks for it. maybe i got ripped off i dont really know..i think its german but i dont know anything else about it. The only other one i have seen was on here and it was a 107 and then everybody said "never heard of it". So yea, i am totally new. i dont really know anything about the different sizes of razors or the benifits of the round vrs the square edge. i dont know any of the terms or parts of a razor. I am probably going to have to send it out to one of you guys to get it cleaned up and ready to use.I dont have a hone or a strop yet either. so i am just getting started. any way i will be browsing the forums and doing research. if you have any advice on who to send it to let me know. here are a few picture of what i have.

Welcome!
It looks like you got a good razor.
Look through the classifieds/vendors for someone close to you and then, if you're nervous of your choice, see what kind of reputation they have on here.

I am new here also I have two shaving weeks under my belt. As best as I can deduce from your photos you have a very nice vintage razor that will need little clean up at all once honed it should shave like a champ.

If you have not checked out the Wiki it will be the answer to many of your questions, Straight Razor Place Wiki - Straight Razor Place Wiki

As far as whom to send it to you can start your search here, Member Services - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

Welcome to the Club and Enjoy!!!

Hello and welcome to SRP!

Although I have also not heard of that razor, from the picture it looks to be in good shape and should be a good razor to learn on, being a hollow grind. I definitely do not think you overpaid for that.

It is hard to tell from the picture but I would hazard that it is a 9/16, full hollow. The round point makes it a bit less prone to nicking earlobes or other such areas, so again it is a perfect blade to learn on. You will definitely need to pick up a strop, but I would hold off on the hone(s) for a while as they are an unnecessary expenditure at this stage of the game. If you wanted to do anything at this point along the sharpening lines, you'd probably be better off getting a second strop and something like an abrasive paste to put on it. Even that, however, is probably getting a little ahead of ourselves but perhaps not.

There is a lot of information in the Wiki area - I think we call it the library nowadays. There's a link to it along the top menu bar. Check out the beginner's guide and such things. You can be lost for days in there, but a lot of it is useful. You'll find out for yourself I'm sure.

As to who to send it to for honing, there are a plethora of professional honers and even more amateur ones here. Probably the best approach is to check out the "Member Services" section of the Classifieds area, and find a person located nearish to you. Of course, do your research on them but basically anyone advertising in there probably knows their business.

Good luck.

James.

cool well thats good to know i didnt buy a piece of crap. i had to see if it was even a little sharp so i tested it on my arm. it cuts. but it needs a good going over. thanks for the tip. i will check it out. if you or anybody else know anything about this razor please let me know.

Nice razor! Appears to be in minty condition also. It's very much worth what you paid for it and then some.
Get it honed up and buy a cheap strop (you'll nick it to pieces learning how to use it). A warning though, this hobby is addictive.
Use it in good health.

I'm new myself but since you bought a used razor before sending it off you should try it. I might be sharp. You going to need a strop anyway. Might as well buy a strop and strop it and try shaving with it.

Welcome to the forum! While I see some really good value in trying to shave with it just like it is, I think you should have it honed professionally. Being new, you really don't have a good concept of how sharp it oughta be. Then after you have it honed, don't "test" it on anything except your lathered face. While I don't have anyone hone my blades currently, I've had plenty of them honed in the past. If you'd like a couple suggestions, you can PM me, and I'll tell you who I used and what I thought. Keep in mind...everything seems pretty darn sharp when you're new. lol.