Thread: Help finding a honemeister in Minnesota

Hi,

I recently received my great-grandfather's straight razor and wanted to learn to shave with it. However, it seems a bit dull (I tried the hanging hair test, and my thumb nail), not that I'm an expert. So, I am in need of someone to sharpen it for me ( I don't want to have to shell out 80$ for a hone, and the time to learn myself right now). Does anyone know where I could get it honed in the Minneapolis or surrounding area? Also, I would prefer not to have to mail it anywhere, because I figure it will cost more.

Thanks,
Zac

You can send it to one of these guys around here for about $3. $20 for the work and $3 return trip.

Hello,

I live in St. Paul Minnesota and would be willing to give you a hand with that razor. You can email me, address below, or send me a PM and I will give you my phone number.

Talk with you later,

Originally Posted by randydance062449

Hello,

I live in St. Paul Minnesota and would be willing to give you a hand with that razor. You can email me, address below, or send me a PM and I will give you my phone number.

Talk with you later,

Hi Randy

I'm a danish straight razor newbee who without a doubt could use a few tricks and advices on how to maintain my razor. And it just so happens that I'l be visiting Minneapolis the first week of September (attending a conference there).

Would it be possible for me to impose on you during my stay and maybe receive a little tutoring on maintaining my razor? It would be a great help to me, as Denmark is almost devoid of straight razor afficionados and I have so far been unsuccesful in finding any local honemeisters. I will be in town from the 28th of August until the 8th of September.

Also, I was hoping to purchase some straight razor accessories like strops, latherbowls etc. as these is also quite scarce here. Would you know any shops in Minneapolis/St.Paul that might be relevant for me to visit in this regard?

With kind regards
Johnny Nielsen

My first (and so far only) straight razor: Dovo Solingen Razor - 5/8" Half Round carbon steel - imitation mother of pearl handle

Originally Posted by Nyanga

I'm a danish straight razor newbee who without a doubt could use a few tricks and advices on how to maintain my razor. And it just so happens that I'l be visiting Minneapolis the first week of September.

Would it be possible for me to impose on you during my stay and maybe receive a little tutoring on maintaining my razor?

Randy's a straight razor "destination" now.

I can see the new Minnesooota license plates now - "Land of 1000 lakes and Randy the honemeister"

Originally Posted by Pyment

Randy's a straight razor "destination" now.

I can see the new Minnesooota license plates now - "Land of 1000 lakes and Randy the honemeister"

hmm, I'm a little unsure as to what you mean by your post.. care to elaborate?

Originally Posted by Nyanga

hmm, I'm a little unsure as to what you mean by your post.. care to elaborate?

I'm sure he'll comment himself, he was just making a joke that Randy will now be an attraction for the State in which he lives, which has the nickname "Land of 10000 Lakes."

After all, People are traveling half way across the world to get some of his expertise.

BTW, there was a Danish bakery just a block from my parents house. I used to stop and get some fresh crullers and get a quart of milk and eat them on the way to school. Danish Bakery is good stuff. Kringle too.

Hey guys, I have this covered. He sent me an email so now it is all set up for next week.

Well guys, here is a past due update.

I met with the gentleman from Denmark. His name is Johnny Nielsen. He recently graduated with a Masters degree in Bio-medical Engineering. His masters thesis was submitted to an international competition for the best student paper in bio-medical engineering. His was selected as best from all of Europe! As a result he was invited to present his paper to the International Bio-medical engineering convention here in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

I picked up Johnny at his hotel and brought him over to my place. Turbine712 ( Bill Wilcox), Dresden ( Dennis Danich) and Bruce (Bruce Aune) all stopped over and visited with him.

Johnny needed a strop in the worst way so we went to the Marvy Co. where we picked up a Illinois 361 for $47 and some other stuff. He was very plased with the low prices.
marvy is the company that makes all the Barber poles!
We showed him different razors and hones, strop, paddle strops etc. then we honed his razor for him and set him up with some abrasive pasted paddle strops and a vintage Belgian natural 2 sided hone that I had lying around.

The second time he came over Johnny and me also spent about 3 hours on the hones teaching him how to use a hone and also how to properly use the strop.

He now has a fair introduction to the world of straight razors!

I hope we hear from him again,

Here are some pics

Johnny, me, Turbine712 ( Bill Wilcox)



Dresden ( Dennis Danich) and Johnny