Thread: Spare Razor Question

no better motivation to hone your honing skill than by having only 1 razor that you maintain yourself.

experience is an excellent teacher, but not a very forgiving one.

if you already have a well honed razor, then the 12k should be good. It will take more strokes, so there is more chance of you screwing the edge up. But you probably will not be able to overhone with it. But with the 12k you are screwed if you somehow damage the edge by whacking it on something hard (including that 12k).

Don't be afraid to use your second hand to steady the toe of the razor. My honing improved a lot after I started doing that.

Originally Posted by Slartibartfast

I would personally have a second razor. You do not have to spend $100+, I have seen some decent vintage shave ready razors for $30-$50 here.


You got to know when to hone 'em, know when to fold 'em,
Know when to walk away and know when to run.
You never shave your face when you're honin' at the table.
There'll be time enough for shavin' when the honin's done.

You got to know when to hone 'em, know when to own 'em, (My thoughts)

To address the OP'S query, I'm what many would consider a minimalist, and I own two straights (and, godammit, as of today a DE as well...Bloody RAD getting to me). I bought the second one new for $99 Australian. It's a Geisen and Forsthoff Timor brand that seems to be little known and trusted on this forum. However, I know they're made in their country of origin (Germany), and even something, even if it's poorly made, made in Germany, it's going to be good quality in comparison to something poorly made in China, such as a Gold Dollar Razors. Gold dollar seem to be the minimum recommendation from some here. I would rather the Timor over a cheaper Chinese gamble off ebay.
My experience with the Timor has been that it is almost as good as my Dovo. Now, if one needs work I still have the other. As well as a DE I suppose, but I haven't had a go at using that yet, since it only arrived today.
As for honing and in your case I suppose, touching up a razor on a 12k stone. Don't be scared, keep the blade flat, use a light touch and go for it. Read a few how to's first to get the idea. I had no real difficulty honing my own, but I did have my local honing Guru come around to ease my mind (Thanks Jimbo) on my honing technique. Well that's my two bob's worth anyway.
Wishing you many enjoyable shaves,


Mick

I started with a dovo best quality from SRD, shortly after added a henkels from cedarfurnitureman. Having two helps givce me piece of mind, since stropping can mess up an edge, the faucet can mess up an edge, the sink can..., well I think you get the picture. There are many ways to ruin an edge and if you dont have enough stones to go from bevel setting to finish, you are going to be waiting for a week or two from time to time, while it gets honed by someone else. I like shaving too much for that. Shortly after I started, and after reading tons of posts on this board, I decided to try some different "favorite" brand razors. I have since gotten a dubl duck satinedge, a no name soligen, a couple bokers, a torrey, a paula off ebay, and a few others but only one of those I have gotten ready to shave so far, that being the dubl duck. I also have 3 japanese straights, only one that is shave ready though. Then I decided to go back to another shave ready from lynn and don, a robeson shuredge. I have yet to try any sheffields but I am sure it will only be a matter of time. It is variety which makes the world go round.
IMO two razors would be a bare minimum, since I hate self imposed pressure, having one that you can shave with while practicing honing on another, will definitely lower stress levels, while also giving a benchmark.

All the replies are great. Thank you very much. I'm getting many different view points and some very good ideas. I forgot about having the second razor for a benchmark, definitely something to consider. We'll see how patient I am. I may just give it a go and keep it light and even. Everything to do with shaving with a straight is always much harder than it sounds though....

For now I'll keep shaving with the one I have and working on technique, especially skin stretching.

Thanks again,

Ken