Thread: Oh how I've been fooled

So i am the kind of guy that wishes the days where men had class and almost all that men did required an extent of skill of some sort were not all but gone. So I thought "I would love to start shaving with a cut-throat razor" though i did not want to buy one and have to hone or strop it without knowing and on top of that also learn how to shave with it as well. So i invested in a very reasonably priced shavette that i found at a local barber shop, that way instead of worrying about stropping and honing i could just practice my technique and replace the razor blade when it went dull.

Finally once I had the technique down and no longer cut my self to ribbons after a few weeks or so, I said "okay now its time to get my self a legitimate straight edge razor and strop" (I already have the shaving soap and badger hair brush) so i looked online on ebay and found an awesome looking Damascus steel straight edge razor at only 60$!! WOW!!! I jumped at the opportunity without realizing the lack of comments or reviews on the product. For about a week I've been looking forward to this razor arriving, not shaving so that I can use my awesome razor that was coming into the mail soon, and when it does, it is not shave ready =[. So i strop it a handful of times as ive been looking at a plethora of videos on how to do so, and yet, the edge is still not shave ready =[. Yet still! I do not give up, i tell my self "Maybe im doing it wrong or maybe it needs to be honed to a higher degree. Maybe i should find someone who knows what they're doing and have them hone it for me." As i finally find someone who hones razors as a hobby in my town and makes a few dollars on the side by charging people that need it done as well, I am given worst news that somewhere deep inside of me i already knew. The man who honed my razor tells me "I'll be honest with you, im not gonna charge you because, though i was able to put some sort of edge on this blade, it will not last. This is not a straight edge razor, you're better off finding a different one."

I only hope that beginners see this story before making the same mistake i have. Do your research, if buying online be sure the seller is legitimate. With these razors it seems you absolutely get what you pay for. Well I'm off to search for a legitimate straight edge razor. I still will not give up!!!


P.S. Thank you to all who commented on my other post as it gave me the second opinion and now assures me that i should not spend more money on the razor i just bought! I only wish I found you guys sooner SRP!!!!!

Welcome to SRP,
sorry to hear your starting experiences. Many had similar starts, me included, so don't feel bad. There's loads of info here to get you sorted in all aspects of shaving, there's the good news.

Have fun!

Welcome to the forum and may your next effort be that much more informed. It's a cut-throat world out there, but not enough people who can tell a good cut-throat from a money grubbin' cut-throat. Take Hart. We all Gotta learn somewhere. Keep yer chin up (Bengall) tiger. Other people are going through some tough times too, why just last week I saw a Wade'n' Butcher suffering from recent floods here, but I wish I had a Gold Dollar for every time we hear of someone getting a shonky deal on damascus steel.

Yep, that was the best I could do on the spur of the moment. Sad it truly is, I know.


Mick

its disturbing how times have changed from when razors were made for the sole purpose of a man's shave with good steel, rather than the motive of preying on unsuspecting beginners to fill up the pockets. well iosephus, it seems you have turned your horrid experience into a valuable one by learning from it i hope if anyone considering to start wet shaving strolls across this forum they read this thread, a very valuable beginner's experience.
hal.

Originally Posted by iosephus

So i am the kind of guy that wishes the days where men had class and almost all that men did required an extent of skill of some sort were not all but gone.


P.S. Thank you to all who commented on my other post as it gave me the second opinion and now assures me that i should not spend more money on the razor i just bought! I only wish I found you guys sooner SRP!!!!!

Fire me a PM with yer address

One of my good customers sent me a couple of hand me down razors, just the other day, destined for an occasion like this..
I'll get it one on the hones and have her shave ready for you, get ya started on the proper path, with a shave ready razor made of real steel

Later on when you catch RAD like the rest of us idiots you can pass it forward to another New Guy...