Thread: New to straight razors. How long before I should try and hone a new ready to use razo

Dovo's are good razors I hear. I've never actually had one because...they are too expensive! HA! There are less expensive options, one of which is whippeddogstraights.com. His razors come shave ready, and can be fairly inexpensive as well. Not a lot of prize winners for pretty there, but definitely good shaving razors. Very helpful guy too.

Originally Posted by mderenal

That certainly got my attention and is making me rethink my plans.

Your face will thank you. Mine survived - just so it could get revenge for what I put it through.

Originally Posted by ccase39

Any idea of any professional honers? I just shaved a second time and I see what pinklather was talking about. It was a lot duller than it was the first time and pulled a lot more. I will hate to wait for my razor to come back from being professionally honed. Any recommendations on a second razor that is cheap but decent quality to use as a backup while my razor is shipped off? We don't have a professional honer in my town. I prefer to use Amazon if you can find one there to recommend.

A second razor is not going to do you any good unless it has been properly honed. You will be facing the same problems you are now with your current razor. The fact that your present razor did indeed cut your hair, even if it was "duller" feeling, means there is every chance it will hone up under a knowledgeable person's hands. I saw a later post where you indicated you were going to try honing it yourself because what the heck, it couldn't get worse. Believe me, you CAN and WILL make it a lot worse if you do not know what you are doing.

For what it is worth, I would highly recommend you cool your jets a little and take things slower. You need to spend some time watching videos, visiting the Wiki and reading posts. I have spent 4 months doing so and have still not set a blade to a hone. But I am perfectionist and that is just me.

My last piece of advice is to find a "Mentor". There are many on this site. PM one you think you can get along with and I am certain he will agree to assist you. Just my 2 cents.

Randy

Originally Posted by WhiteLion

A second razor is not going to do you any good unless it has been properly honed. You will be facing the same problems you are now with your current razor. The fact that your present razor did indeed cut your hair, even if it was "duller" feeling, means there is every chance it will hone up under a knowledgeable person's hands. I saw a later post where you indicated you were going to try honing it yourself because what the heck, it couldn't get worse. Believe me, you CAN and WILL make it a lot worse if you do not know what you are doing.

For what it is worth, I would highly recommend you cool your jets a little and take things slower. You need to spend some time watching videos, visiting the Wiki and reading posts. I have spent 4 months doing so and have still not set a blade to a hone. But I am perfectionist and that is just me.

My last piece of advice is to find a "Mentor". There are many on this site. PM one you think you can get along with and I am certain he will agree to assist you. Just my 2 cents.

Randy

Thanks Randy, yes I do tend to dive head first into things. I don't think I will try my hand at honing for a long while yet. I do hone knives as part of my career but this is totally differentI have decided to send my Henkel to someone on this site that is a professional. Ill stick with learning proper technique for a while. Especially in the stropping dept.

You could always get a cheapo razor off eBay to mess around with ... Gives your mind something to do while looking at the videos. I would NOT try to shave with it, just keep it to "play" with. I guess I have dyslexia because I started out with honing and doing a restoration. Now I'm about to send my best looking razor to Lynn to get it professionally honed. I tried to shave about 1" of my cheek and then I had to fight the tears back because it pulled so much. I cannot wait to perfect my technique with my straight. But in the mean time it's nice to have something to battle "idle hands".