Thread: 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.