Introducing myself..

Hello ladies and gentlemen. My name is Ilija, I'm 25 and live in Toronto. Recently I decided to start shaving old-school but I wanted to pick up some info that may prevent having to get stitches or severely irritated skin. Now I might as well use this topic to ask you to point me to good topics on these forums dealing with:
1) Honing and stroping technique (including info on which paste to use).
2) Shaving without needing reconstructive facial surgery afterwards.
Oh and if you could reccomend a good wet hone that I can get my hands on in the Greater Toronto Area :) Thanks.

Howdy,

You really need to check out the Help Files section on this site. There are lots of files and information on shaving, honing, stropping, etc... myself, I use a Norton combination 4K/8K stone, and so do lots of others here. Of course, opinions vary, so read up in the Honing section on the different types.

THere are diagrams and videos demonstrating shaving, and lots of info on products, and where to buy. Read some of that, and you'll find folks here are very happy to answer questions.

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Hello ladies and gentlemen.

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Hi Ilija.

Given that this is a straight razor forum, i doubt that you will find any ladies here, unless some of them realy like dangerous things...

Best of luck shaving:)

cheers,
Nenad

I checked out the help files and found the Razor Central Manual particularly useful. I'll still go to a barber and have him give me a shave and a few pointers since nothing beats live instruction. Fortunately I live in an old neighborhood, with old houses and even older people (very popular with the movie industry lol) so there are several old-school barbers within walking distance.

Nenade, you never know.. Some ladies might be shaving their arms/legs with an open razor, may work in hair salons or shave a male friend/relative. Therefore, it's quite possible for a few ladies to be in these forums :)

I met a female barber in Vancouver. Great haircut. Nice Gal.

X

Hello and welcome! :) It seems that most of your questions have been adressed.
Be sure to buy the 3" wide Norton 4000/8000 combination hone. That width is the easiest to use. Ray at www.classicshaving.com has these hones. He is a forum member and has many good articles on straight razor shaving on his website.

Have fun reading the help files, :)

All you hone-junkies, don't forget your dealer, Tilly ... a.k.a. A. Till a.k.a. redtradder99 .... A lady

Yeah, I'm definately need to hone my new blade. I attempted my first shave with my new baby, but it was butter-knife dull. I didn't suffer any nicks or cuts, but I didn't remove much hair either. I guess I'll have to finish the job with my electric lol. While waiting for the supplier to get the hones that I order, I'll get myself an oldie from an antique shop to practice on. I just wish I knew what a real sharp blade was like. :P

I wish I had the talent to help. With me honing is still hit and miss. Let me tell you though when you get it right it is truly a great thing. :oops:

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Originally Posted by FiReSTaRT

I just wish I knew what a real sharp blade was like. :P

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Lots of guys here will hone a razor for you if you just pay the shipping cost to and from. Also, ClassicShaving.com offers a service for a small fee and hand sharpens the razors for you. I think Lynn (the founder of this site) is the actual person that sharpens the razor.

I know I'm not the best on this site with the hone, but my razors save very well. I'll hone it yours for you if you want, or you can see if one of the more experienced guys offers. If you end up being interested, email me offline.

Thanks for the offer buddy. When my hones arrive, I'll attempt to hone them myself, based on the instructions off this site. After I do it, if my face ends up half-amputated or very raw, I'll take you up on it. I may be a crazy do it yourselfer but I still have a bit of pragmaticism in me ;)