Thread: Shout out to all the SRP gurus

Shout out to all the SRP gurus


Let me just start by saying thanks for the inspiration. To all the guys and gals on here that have posted the answers to questions I never had to ask. Thank you. You guys are awesome.


About me, I'm a complete newb, as in had my first disposable straight razor shave about 3 weeks ago. And looking forward to my first real shave from the razor pictured below as soon as I am either able to find a honemeister or get past the HHT on my own. So why did I stop in? Because for years I have pondered straight razors and even started the occasional google search but never got past my doubts and concerns about a culture I had not even a glimpse into. That was until a little over 3 weeks ago when I discovered SRP! You guys are awesome. And I just wanted to say thanks for the inspiration. In the last 3 weeks I have spent hours on the site reading and absorbing. I acquired a disposable setup to dip my toes in, went antique shopping with all the SRP tips and purchased my first straight razor. It's a project to be sure but SRP seems to have nearly all the info I have needed so far.


Thanks again for keeping this classic man-card-qualifier alive!!



Here is a peek at what your inspiration has lead me to do. Please bear in mind I have never done any kind of antique restoration at all so I'm both a newb to razors, and a newb to the idea of making things like this with my hands. That being said, Constructive criticism on this project is most welcome.



I picked up this razor for $15.00 hoping it would turn out to be good steel.


It looks like some joker had attempted to fix a loose pin by jamming something into it and splitting it down the middle. Damaged the scale while they were at it too.



So the blade was flopping side to side and closing on the inside of one of the scales and nicking it, presumable dulling that section of the blade every use. So I figured there was a lot here for me to learn. Last night I tired to remove the pin, and had my first screw up. The scales did not survive the jammed pin and my clumsiness. So I decided to try my hand at making some scales from a scrap piece of 2x4 that happened to catch my eye when looking around. Then I gave the steel a 1st round polishing to remove some of the unwanted stains and put the thing together using a temporary fastener till I get around to ordering the brass.

This is what I came up with so far.



Rough yes, but at least now I'm not hung up on the razor not being functional so I can dive right into honing practice. That is as soon as I get up the nerve.

Side question, Has anyone ever done a first pass cut/polish and then the next morning some of the marks you swear you took off were back? Does that happen or was it the Whiskey making me overly proud of my polishing in the dark night hours?




What do you guys think? Any thoughts, concerns, or obvious blunders right out of the gate?

Once again Thanks to all the people that have posted so much good info on SRP. I can honestly say I would not be doing this project if I had not found SRP!

Welcome to the forum!
Great job with the razor so far.
And yes...it's always the Whiskey!!!

Pete <:-}

I've done alot of metal sanding and buffing in a previous job. You would be amazed at what just the right light angle will show you. Bear in mind that it doesn't have to look like a million bucks to shave well either. ERN blades are good too. And scales from a 2x4, probably not the first, but the first I have seen and they look damn fine. I like the rougher look, as long as it won't put splinters in your hand while stropping! Good luck and welcome to your new internet home!

P.S. whiskey is definitely not out of the equation either

Originally Posted by petercp4e

Welcome to the forum!
Great job with the razor so far.
And yes...it's always the Whiskey!!!

Pete <:-}

Thanks, and thanks, Whiskey makes everything look better.

Originally Posted by dinnermint

I've done alot of metal sanding and buffing in a previous job. You would be amazed at what just the right light angle will show you. Bear in mind that it doesn't have to look like a million bucks to shave well either. ERN blades are good too. And scales from a 2x4, probably not the first, but the first I have seen and they look damn fine. I like the rougher look, as long as it won't put splinters in your hand while stropping! Good luck and welcome to your new internet home!

P.S. whiskey is definitely not out of the equation either

Rookie arrogance then. Next polish run I'll save my sense of satisfaction till the next day inspection. Next stop is shave ready, only after that will I revisit the polishing. But its gonna bug me that I missed so many spots.

Originally Posted by Steve1150

Thanks, and thanks, Whiskey makes everything look better.

EVERYTHING! Welcome and not bad. What do you have to hone it with?

Just send it out and get your first one right, that way you will have a target, right now shave ready is just a phrase till you know what it really is. Tc

+1 on sending it out. Well worth the money for a good start.

Originally Posted by Steve1150

Rookie arrogance then. Next polish run I'll save my sense of satisfaction till the next day inspection. Next stop is shave ready, only after that will I revisit the polishing. But its gonna bug me that I missed so many spots.

Do NOT make it shave ready and then polish it.
Just make sure out has the bevel set correctly then polish away.
Only get it shave ready AFTER all the polishing work is done.
( Lot easier to cut yourself if shave ready when polishing)

Originally Posted by Hacker7

EVERYTHING! Welcome and not bad. What do you have to hone it with?

Almost nothing. I have a 400 and a 600 DMT for setting the bevel. I will obviously be making a purchase, but I'm currently debating DMT vs Norton. There are a lot of people swearing by the Norton 4k/8k water stone, but I've never been a fan of the periodic lapping. I've also been wondering if you can skip the 8k and jump from a 4k onto a pasted paddle strop to finish the polish.

Any thoughts?