A newbie with an old razor :)

I just wanted to stop in and say hello. I just recently aquired my Great Grandfathers old straight razor. It says J.A. Henckel Zwillingswerk 30 on the blade. I've been reading a few web site and looking at a few video's and im already hooked. I wanted to try so bad that I bought some Palmolive shaving cream (in a tube) and some Pinauld after shave :) I knew that this blade would be sooo dull after so many years of neglect but I couldn't help myself. I got an old belt and stroped it about 20 times. I knew I probably wasn't doing anything but it was fun anyway. I washed and lathered up and just HAD to try it. I was only going to do my sideburns just to see what it felt like, but I couldn't stop!! I shaved my whole face with this dull razor. I actually had whisker debris on the razor!!! It even sounds cool ! I relathered and finished up with my mach 3 (Big disapointment now). I think I need to find a hone and a real strop now. BTW this site is pretty great!

Welcome aboard. The razor is a great start, especially since it comes from an ancestor. I wish I could have had the same. If I were you, I'd avoid shaving with a dull razor as it can be dangerous. Check out the help files and don't be to ask questions. That's what we're here for.

That razor is a special prize. Henckels are great razors and it is part of your heritage. I'd recommend trying the hone out with a practic razor before taking the Henckel to it. There's lot's to digest about honing around here so make sure you check the Help Archives, use the search feature and ask as many questions as you can. A lot of silly mistakes can get made if you overlook something. We'll do our best to give you a few different answers for you to consider. :D

X

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Originally Posted by xman

We'll do our best to give you a few different answers for you to consider.

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And some of them might even be right :D

Welcome aboard me hearty, Anyway it is lovely that you got a razor from a relative and that it is part of your family's history, if it was me i would get it honed by a "Honemeister" from here and you can do that by going to HERE and following the instructions on the website, then you will send it to Lynn from this very forum, it should come back ready to use, otherwise if you learn how to do it yourself you could do more damage to the straight than good, also i would only use it on special occasions like Xmas, Birthday etc.. Becuase it would be nice to hand that down to your grandson in time to come. By that way that advice on this forum is top notch, i have attached some of my Shaving Links to get you started just have a look around :gth
MY BOOKMARKS DOWNLOAD HERE

Welcome to this crazy obsessive world. IMHO, the first thing you should do is buy Lynn's DVD: The World of Straight Razors. Its a very solid introduction to various aspects of straight shaving. See the Sticky in the Buy/Sell forum.

Jordan

Thanks for all the replies guys! I do believe I will take your advice and get my razor honed professionally the first time. I will probably use the razor much less after I buy a second one, but for now the appeal is to learn to shave using "Paw's" razor.

So, after getting it honed do I need anything else besides a leather strop (besides the brushes, creams, etc)? Oh and I'll probably be getting the dvd from him too.

Welcome aboard!!!

If you have a honemeister get your Paw's razor shave-ready, you will be able to keep it that way for quite a while with a pasted strop. I just got my double-sided bench strop from Tony Miller at the well shaved gentleman
( http://www.thewellshavedgentleman.com/ ) and it REALLY helps put the fine edge back on a blade that has a few shaves on it. I got .5 and .25 micron diamond paste on the strop and it works like magic!!!

I wish that I had a razor from my Grandpa, but he used a double blade safety razor (although he DID introduce me to the mug and brush!!!).

BTW, did you say something about a 2nd razor? Odds are that there will be plenty more than that...just be prepared!!!

One thing to remember is to be patient. I have been at this for a couple of months and have been taking my time, and am seeing some very good results.

Good Luck!!!

- Mike