Gentlemen,

This is my first post on this forum. I'm completely green to straight razor shaving, and would like to learn the ropes. My major drawback at the moment is lack of funding. So far, I believe I've acquired the essentials, but please correct me if i'm wrong.

After searching Perth for cutthroat razors, the only distributer i could find stocked Dovos, but nothing under $150. For me, that's quite a lot, I'm into this to save money! With hones being $125, strops also over $100 (I didn't even look at brushes), i find it difficult to get into the art.

That being said, on a whim I went to an antique store, and found a 1934 German Sword razor which appears to be in good condition. With no experience however, I can't say for sure, but it certainly felt sharp to the thumb, and there were no nicks or anything on the bevel. I bought the razor for $30, the woman gave me an antique brush, and a $30 strop, and I went home to give it a go.

Unfortunately, the razor wasn't near sharp enough to shave with (felt like such a n00b!) so I went on a quest for a cheap hone. Store after store, I couldnt' find anything near fine enough, except for a $200 stone from the knife store, so I went online, and read that one could get an acceptable shave with 1000 grit. Finally, at the army surplus store, I was able to find a 1000 grit stone, so I came home, watched all the instructional videos i could, and gave it ago. Unfortunately, it's STILL nowhere near sharp enough to shave with!

What can I do? Did I just waste my money? I really want to get into the art of shaving, but I can't afford to spend hundreds upon hundreds of dollars getting set up.

Thanks for your help,
Duane