Sort of a new guy...

So Im only sort of a new guy to straight razor shaving. For the last few years I have been alternating between a Merkur safety razor and a disposable blade straight. Im looking at getting my first "real" straight but not entirely sure I want to shell out $300 for the one I want right away. I see straight razors as the "gentlemans" way to shave and a bit of an antiquated lost art. I almost romanticize it with the ideas of men long ago using them and so I do love the old used straights.

I've actually been looking at an old Shumate Barbers straight that I adore. Its a full hollow-ground 5/8 blade that is in surprisingly good condition. Now obviously I dont think its too old of a razor, but it does have some age to it. The blade is good with only minor discoloration or "patina" from age. There are no nicks in the blade and the spine doesnt appear to be too worn from honing, so I do believe that it still has some life left in it. Im considering buying it and getting it back into shave ready condition.

So being that this will be my first "real" straight, I figured I would sign up on here and see what kind of information I could learn. Maybe pick up some tips and tricks along the way.

My name is Michael by the way.

Just be sure that you get a "shave ready" razor. Stay away from eBay and get one here or off of the dealers found here. You might pay more but it's worth it.

I know I dont have to, but thats about the price of the one that I really want. Unfortunately for my wallet, I tend to have very expensive tastes. I also figure that if I will eventually have to buy a good set of hones and learn to properly hone a blade, I might as well get a cheaper razor and learn the proper way from the beginning. If I start with an older razor that cant be full honed all the way to where it needs to be for whatever reason, or I mess it up, then I wont feel too bad about it as I would a new good quality Dovo or Thiers Issard.

There is this one other sites where you can get some razors for something around $50 or maybe lower. Its perfect to learn. As suggested by many to me, as I am fairly new to this as well, forget about honing in during the initial period!

So i went for this one, by that time i will keep collecting the honing stone one by one.

Believe me... it was a real tough thing to curb myself and get this one, I can beat a woman at shopping! :)

Well I've read that with most people, they end up re-honing the blade every 20-30 shaves. Granted I dont shave every day, but if that is the case, I would end up re-honing every 6-8 weeks on one razor. Even with a free honing, I'll only get less than half a year before I end up having to learn how to do it. Im fairly good at stropping as I do that to my knives anyway. Plus restoring a vintage straight would be one hell of a fun project.

Also I see that you're from Garland. I live just south of Ft Worth. Just thought that was pretty cool.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TexasShaver

Well I've read that with most people, they end up re-honing the blade every 20-30 shaves. Granted I dont shave every day, but if that is the case, I would end up re-honing every 6-8 weeks on one razor. Even with a free honing, I'll only get less than half a year before I end up having to learn how to do it. Im fairly good at stropping as I do that to my knives anyway. Plus restoring a vintage straight would be one hell of a fun project.

Also I see that you're from Garland. I live just south of Ft Worth. Just thought that was pretty cool.

---

I don't think a well honed razor needs sharpening every 20-30 shaves. That would have to be either a) one heck of a beard, or b) one of those Pakistani razors we keep reading about.

A lot us probably hone a bit more than necessary but that is just a common side effect of RAD and HAD.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TexasShaver

Well I've read that with most people, they end up re-honing the blade every 20-30 shaves. Granted I dont shave every day, but if that is the case, I would end up re-honing every 6-8 weeks on one razor. Even with a free honing, I'll only get less than half a year before I end up having to learn how to do it. Im fairly good at stropping as I do that to my knives anyway. Plus restoring a vintage straight would be one hell of a fun project.

Also I see that you're from Garland. I live just south of Ft Worth. Just thought that was pretty cool.

---

From what i have read, honing is something you need to do (if you have a top quality blade) once in 6-8 months or maybe more than that! Others can correct me if i am wrong on this.

So you are from South FW! That is cool! Maybe we can meet sometime! There is one nice person called shooter, who said he can mentor, if you think that is something that is you are looking for in initial period, you can contact him! Dont tell him i told you! :p

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hellstorm2004

From what i have read, honing is something you need to do (if you have a top quality blade) once in 6-8 months or maybe more than that! Others can correct me if i am wrong on this.

So you are from South FW! That is cool! Maybe we can meet sometime! There is one nice person called shooter, who said he can mentor, if you think that is something that is you are looking for in initial period, you can contact him! Dont tell him i told you! :p

---

Oh... you might be right. I don't know. When I started, I honed too often. But then I still do lol! But who cares lol? I love honing and unless I live to 200, i'll doubt i'll remove so much metal as to render my blade useless :).

That's all to say - have fun and do as you like - there are no rules other than the ones you impose on yourself lol. I hone when my face tells me to hone. It's really that simple for me :). I have no rhyme or reason other than the old face test.

If you are attracted to the vintage razors I strongly suggest you try Whipped Dog Straight Razor Shaving Equipment . The owner is excellent with questions and the razors are very reasonable. Usually around 40-50 bucks. All come professionally honed too. I have at least 4 from him and every one of them are damn fine shavers.

Ccase, could you perhaps post a couple of the pictures of the straights you have bought from Whipped Dog. Im a little nervous about buying something sight unseen as the webpage instructs. The prices seem reasonable for a vintage straight, even if it were to need new scales or something like that.

Also how do you order from the site, if thats the route I choose to go. Do you just email him and tell him what you're looking for then he email you back with a price, or what?

Not to double post or anything, but what is Larry's username on here? I actually just found out that he is no more than about 20 minutes from my house!! Is it best to email him directly or does he frequent the site?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TexasShaver

Not to double post or anything, but what is Larry's username on here? I actually just found out that he is no more than about 20 minutes from my house!! Is it best to email him directly or does he frequent the site?

---

Wow! Lucky break! i'll let others answer but it sounds like you hit the jackpot lol!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TexasShaver

Not to double post or anything, but what is Larry's username on here? I actually just found out that he is no more than about 20 minutes from my house!! Is it best to email him directly or does he frequent the site?

---

I think the best bet is generally to email Larry. Also, there's a note on his website that he's in 'slow dog mode' for the duration of December, so be patient in awaiting a response. :)

By all logic (as opposed to pure desire), what you need is:

. . . One razor that is sharp to begin with;

. . . One leather / cloth strop;

. . . One "finishing hone" -- a fine barber hone, or a 12K - 16K full-size hone, or
. . . . . . an 8K hone and a Cr-oxide pasted strop.

With that setup, you can keep the blade sharp forever (or until it wears down, which will take decades).

If you decide to buy a full set of hones, nobody will argue with you -- we're all crazy, here. But don't think you need them, until you start bringing old razors back from the dead.

I think it's a good idea that your first razor shouldn't be too expensive. You'll read lots of stories, here, about banging razors into faucets, dropping razors that shatter on the floor, and so on. As you gain experience, those things happen less often.

Ultimately, of course, it's your money, and you get to spend it.

. Charles