I just discovered SRP... too late?

A few weeks ago I took an interest in shaving with a straight razor... I can't say for sure what attracted me about straight razors. I've been using a "nice" electric Norelco for almost a year, but was never satisfied with the results. Perhaps it was the promise of a much closer, longer lasting shave that attracted me to straight razors. The idea of actually enjoying my shave by practicing a skill (skill to shave?! Such a novel idea to me...) and relaxing was also quite appealing.

However, I fear I may have lost myself in my interest and jumped in too soon! As soon as I arrived at college I hopped on to eBay and started scouting for deals. I'd done some minor research and figured that I would probably require a straight razor, a strop, shaving soap, and a brush. I'd also read somewhere that most razors don't come shave ready, so I began looking for a cheap-esque razor honing stone. The two auctions that I bid on (and won) were:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...6135&rd=1&rd=1 (the straight razor, hone, brush, soap set)

and

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...0683&rd=1&rd=1 (the hone)

However, a day or so after winning these auctions I discovered Straight Razor Place and began reading the Newbie section of the forums. One of the first things I read was that zeepk razors certainly aren't known for their quality...

Any how, this prompts me to ask a few questions. Firstly, how horrible are zeepk razors? If there's no chance of me getting a good shave from this razor, I'd rather put down the money for a "real" straight razor. However, if these razors are at least tolerable for a "newbie," I'd be willing to give it a shot until I could more readily afford a better razor.

Also, if the zeepk is unacceptable, is there any chance of me getting some use out of the other items in the razor bundle? I'm hoping that my $30 isn't going entirely to waste... If I can get some use out of the strop, or even the brush, I'm going to feel a lot better.

Was the hone an idiotic purchase for a newbie to make?

I'm doing okay on money right now, thanks to working between semesters, but I'm still a college student. Any advice on how to get a workable razor and accessories for a decent price?

Thanks in advance to anyone who takes the time to help a newb in need, and I'm certainly glad to be here! I just wish I'd discovered Straight Razor Place a week or two earlier.

Well, I can tell that being in college is certainly adding to your education. The Zeepk razors, as I understand it, won't hold an edge. And they get worse from there. As far as the hone, I'm not a hone expert, but I do know that Tilly (redtrader99) is well respected and I have purchased a few hones from her. Some of the more knowledgeable gents will chime in more about hones, but don't loose interest in shaving with a straight and overall proper shaving. Shaving is something you'll do for a lifetime, so it might as well be enjoyable.

RT

Trouble I have with any hone that doesn't tell the grit is the fact that it doesn't tell the grit :).

Unfortunately you got bit with your razor and strop. Don't feel bad though, a lot of fellows here have done the same thing or similar. You can get info HERE on razors strops, etc.

The shave set, well the less said the better. The brush will probably be usable for shaving, and the leather from the strop might patch a hole in your boot while the linen will replace a broken pack strap, but the razor make a better doorstop than letter opener and isn't worth trying to shave with.

As far as the hone goes, the Frictionite hone is described on Tilly's site as being similar to the Lithide hones that get pretty good reviews around here as a finishing stone. I don't have one yet but I have been tempted by them, if I didn't have a good finishing hone already I would own one by now. It should serve you well once you sand the rough edges off and lap it flat. You can lap it with some 1000 grit wet dry sandpaper on a smooth surface from any auto parts store.

The brush and strop will get you by until you can acquire better equipment. You will need/want better stuff though.

Plenty of guys on the board will sell you a shave-ready razor for a decent price. You can post a "WTB" -- Want To Buy -- thread in the Buy/Sell/Trade Forum to kick start the search. If you know what you're looking for (somewhat) already, then include that info in the post (e.g., round point, 5/8, etc.)

The Frictionite hone will probably be alright for touch-up honing, so you need to make sure you receive shave-ready razors. Otherwise, you'll want to invest in the larger hones (Norton, Shapton, various other Asian & European waterstones) mentioned around here.

Your sad tale is unfortunately common. The hone should be fine - tilly (redtrader99) is one of the places we tend to send newbies looking for hones. But the razor and strop are worthless. I disagree with the previous poster - they make ok letter openers and pretty lousy doorstops (unless you beat it into a more doorstoppy shape, which sadly is unlikely to reduce it's suitability for shaving).

Count your blessings.. I actually SHAVED with one of those junkers before finding the SRP :eek: Fortunately the exfoliating action of wet shaving is reducing the scarring :cool:

The guys are giving you good information here. A posting in the FS/FT Forum should get you some responses. Also watch that forum for some wonderful restos from time to time, but one usually has to be pretty quick to catch these gems.

There's lots to talk about when you start this obsession so don't be afraid to ask any questions. Doing some preliminary reading in the Help Files' Permanent Archives will really help you out as well.

X

Thanks for the replies!

I was afraid that the razor set was going to be totally worthless, but at least the hone is worthwhile. I can take a $30 loss as a lesson learned and move on.

After reading a few random posts I found Tony Miller's site (The Well Shaved Gentleman) and learned that they sell razor sets! Tony Miller seems almost to be a demi-god in the razor community. How strongly would you all recommend one of these sets? Should I go with the hanging strop?

You'll never hear a bad word about Tony or his products. In fact you'll tons of raves for good reasons.

If you've got a hanging strop now you might consider the pasted paddle for keeping your razor in trim. Those barber hones are still amystery to me. Later you can treat hourself to an Heirloom hanging strop if you want. Whatever you decide to get from Tony, I'm certain you'll be pleased with the choice.

X

Tony's strops are top notch.

That said, I'd be willing to bet that everything you bought is quite servicable except the razor. If you're as poor as I was as a college student, you may want to live with the cheap strop and brush for a while. The old hone you got will probably last your lifetime without need of replacement.

You'll probably nick your strop a few times while you're learning and it will save you some tears if you nick a cheap strop rather than Tony's best.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by FiReSTaRT

Count your blessings.. I actually SHAVED with one of those junkers before finding the SRP :eek: Fortunately the exfoliating action of wet shaving is reducing the scarring :cool:

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I did the same thing, only my razor was a little sneakier. It was a disguised version of one of those Zeepks--same steel, different brand name.

Be very suspicious of any "brand new" razor that sells for less than about $50.

I started out with a cheap strop, too. My Tony Miller hanging strop was a huge step up, but using the cheap one gave me a lot of practice. I only have one small nick in my nice strop. :)

You'll probably need to get some mink oil or other leather conditioner to treat the leather right away. Search the forum for tips on breaking in a strop. This inexpensive leather will probably be dry and would benefit immensely from some conditioning.

Good luck, and welcome to this manly club.
Josh

the good news is that you got yourself a practice hone and a practice strop so taht you can use your zeepk razor on both of those to practice with without worry'n that you'll damage it up terrible. stropping and honing both need practice as they are not motions that people are used to doing before they start shaving. so practice!

2 ways to go: package deal it... or piece meal it:

1 - tony miller will sell you a full package. top to bottom that is a great set but its more then you spent and as a college student it may be difficult to buy. birthday coming?? but his stuff is great and you can rest assured on the quality.

2 - piece meal it. i'd suggest a razor from a member here selling a shave ready one on the forums. joshearl been selling some cheaper ones 30-40$ range. many others are also selling. for that price range they won't be the best lookers with exotic wood scales or pearl etc etc..but they will function great nonetheless. as for a strop you can get one of tony's lower cost hangers for 30$. the leather and workmanship is still great and that will last you a long time doing a fine job. lastly you have the hone that you can use for touch ups.. alternatively and some people find it easier to use a pasted paddle/ pasted bench hone for touch ups.. either way thats another 20'ish. you could always go with the 4sided pasted paddle from tony and have 1 side unpasted for stropping and the other pasted for touch ups. so many combos to choose from :) but yes, the starting cost of straight shaving is more then other shaving..but thats all the equipment you'll need for a long long time.

best of luck to you. take your time jumping in. if you have to buy some of it now and another piece in a couple weeks it will be worth the wait.

~J

No birthday coming up, but I've still got some spare money from Christmas :)

I'm seriously considering the Tony Miller set with a hanging strop, since the hone should be good enough for a touch up when I need it. I could then get some use from the Zeepk by learning to strop on it.

That seems like a sound plan to me, but I'd appreciate any additional input.

My basic kit is a Tony Miller strop a good razor and a barbers hone to keep it refreshed. I wouldn't let the ZEEPAK touch the good leather though. I don't think it would hurt it but it's kind of sacrilegious.

Seriously I'd take a look at the ZEEPAK strop when it comes and see if it is smooth, I mean really smooth, if so, I'd skip the set and just get a nice shave ready shaver from one of the guys here. Then you can use your extra cash for some really nice soaps, or wait a while and see if you want a better strop then.

At least you now have a razor and strop to practice with so when you get yourself a good quality setup you'll be less likely to ruin an edge from poor stropping technique. Oh, by the way, Welcome aboard!

Kurt

To be fair the strop probably will work good enough for now. I've used a cheap (badly known) brand strop for almost a year and have only just upgraded to something more solid. It's worked just fine for me. Plus now I won't nick my nicer strop. As much as I like Tony I'd say go with what you have for now apart from the razor. If the strop ends up being no good you can always upgrade.

Thanks for all the help! I'm gonna wait on my strop to get here and if it's serviceable I'll just pick myself up a razor from Tony's website.

I'm glad I found this website and I hope I can be an active member of the community. Thanks again, everyone.