What Next?

A(nother) totally n00b question -
I just started this. i have 1 razor, 1 leather/canvas strop.

I have enough money at this time for a second razor, OR a 4K/8K stone, but not both.
Also, my cat found a large piece of felt that had been hiding under the couch.

So my question to you sympathetic experts is whether I should go with the second razor now, build a felt strop and purchase a bit of paste, or go with a stone for maintaining the current razor?

I am leaning toward the pasted felt strop and second razor (so if (when) I screw one up, I can send it to be done correctly and still have one left to shave with), but I want to make sure that it is a good idea.

My long term goal is to become self sufficient at maintenance, including setting a bevel, but that is far down the road. For now, I just need the regular maintenance.

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Originally Posted by BDRebel

A(nother) totally n00b question -
I just started this. i have 1 razor, 1 leather/canvas strop.

I have enough money at this time for a second razor, OR a 4K/8K stone, but not both.
Also, my cat found a large piece of felt that had been hiding under the couch.

So my question to you sympathetic experts is whether I should go with the second razor now, build a felt strop and purchase a bit of paste, or go with a stone for maintaining the current razor?

I am leaning toward the pasted felt strop and second razor (so if (when) I screw one up, I can send it to be done correctly and still have one left to shave with), but I want to make sure that it is a good idea.

My long term goal is to become self sufficient at maintenance, including setting a bevel, but that is far down the road. For now, I just need the regular maintenance.

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Skip the stones for now...

Carve away $50 to cover the cost of a few professional hones and add a second razor with the balance. I agree on becoming self-sufficient, but the benefit of having a known good edge and a second razor is huge, especially while learning. I believe that removing the variable of whether you have a quality edge or not, allows you concentrate on the rest of the many things we newbs have to juggle. Pay a pro for the first few hones.

Maybe the next progression would be a third razor and stones.

Once you get proficient with shaving chromium oxide will keep you going for a long time. Go to srd and get the chromeox crayon and your next blade, Lynn throws in a certificate for a free second honing, so you just saved yourself 15 bucks there.

I vote for second razor. Then, when you finally get the stones, you have something to judge your edge with. Double O

I agree that you should go for the 2nd razor for now. If you want to save money on the razor, then try the Classified ads here at SRP and get a restored vintage razor. Some of the sellers even throw in a free honing or two for the buyer.

Wow, that was quick!
Thanks for the advice. I am looking at SRD and the Classifieds now. I will also look at the "how to build a pasted strop" section -- I know it's here somewhere -- I was looking at it the other day.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BDRebel

Wow, that was quick!
Thanks for the advice. I am looking at SRD and the Classifieds now. I will also look at the "how to build a pasted strop" section -- I know it's here somewhere -- I was looking at it the other day.

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It's a sticky post (name in red, and shows at the top) in the stropping forum.