Thread: I have no experience with straight razors. Need help.

I would warn you off starting threads about sharpening systems, most of the experienced guys will say they would NEVER use one on a razor, traditional hones are the way to go, with good justification for their arguument, Then it will just descend from there I would check out the link bob gave you, and.some of the other sharpening system threads.
For $30-$60 you should be able to get something shave ready from the classifieds here, maybe not right now I dont know, but they come up reasonably often. It may not be pretty but it will work.
All the best ed.

Originally Posted by JoeLowett

The reason for getting a shave ready razor is as a control. I don't doubt your ability to get a peice of steel sharp- I do however suspect useless you have shaved with a straight before you have no idea honing a straight is as much about "smooth and polished" a as it is about being sharp.

I say this with all respect to your previous skill but when was the last time you were sharpening a knife and said man this bad boys sharp, now let make it smooth!

The whole thing is to have a baseline- honing a razor to silly sharp may not get you a great shave if your bevels not smooth.

Its kind of like saying I want the sky to be as blue as the ocean- but you live in the desert and never saw a picture of water in your life.... How do you know when your there if you don't know what to look for?

Btw good luck! Base on OP you have acquisition disorder- and RAD is a tough on to avoid.

I appreciate this post as much as any. I know exactly what you are saying about not knowing what I want because I've never experienced it. The term razor sharp is used in the knife world very liverally. I think we all know this or I hope we do. I've gotten knives plenty sharp enough to shave whiskers but I can't say it was a comfortable experience at all. I'm jumping into this with full knowledge of my ignorance and eager to learn. I also know this learning and the practice that accompanies it will not come over night. I do appreciate the advice and suggestions I've gotten so far.

Welcome. Read the forums and various posts and you will soon get a general picture. Ask specific questions and you will get better answers. The search engine will help you find most answers. Start shave ready. You sound like me and almost sharp isnt going to cut it. Good luck

Originally Posted by eddy79

Welcome. Read the forums and various posts and you will soon get a general picture. Ask specific questions and you will get better answers. The search engine will help you find most answers. Start shave ready. You sound like me and almost sharp isnt going to cut it. Good luck

Almost sharp isn't going to cut it. You're right. I decided to start shaving again. I've had a beard for a few years. I don't have any shaving gear any more except a couple of the disposable razors. That means I need to buy everything. For the past few years I've been chasing the ultimate sharp edge on knives with a mirror polished bevel. I've been whittling hairs for a while and am still looking for sharper. Having the challenge of sharpening a straight razor was the deal maker in deciding to use a straight razor for shaving. Another thing is shaving this way has always been intriguing and something I have respected in anyone who chooses this route. The fact that the word "safety" is seldom used in these conversations means you guys are the last thrill seekers.

Asking questions about shaving is hard because I'm so stupid in this area I don't know what to ask. The only question I've actually had about the shaving process is how to limit blood flow. I'd like to keep it to a minimum. I'm going to get the DVD I found last night in the "classifieds". As I see it and you guys have recommended several times I need to start with a shave ready razor so I'll know what a good shave feels (and sounds) like and also I need to know what to shoot for in my honing. I also I need knowledge on soap, lather, pre-shave preparation, post-shave stuff, the list goes on. I had no idea how involved this issue of removing facial hair can get. I may have days I want to let the beard grow back.

Wait! I do have one question. Being from the knife world I want to know what blade steels are used in razors. Same as knives just with a different blade shape? Carbon steel? Stainless steel? Both? Someone here asked the question "which razors hold the edge longer?" All of the answers were razors from given companies. NOT the name of the steel used. This surprised me. Do companies only use one steel? Is there a choice in blade steel like there may be a choice of handle material? I'm sure all this is covered in a thread on "how to select a razor" which I haven't read yet. How sharp a particular steel can get and how long it holds the edge are the two most important things for me. Then comes corrosion resistance. This is somewhat minor to me because we can fight corrosion with any number of products available. But, I don't scrape my face with my pocket knife so some anti-corrosion products may not be as good for a face scraping tool. I do want to know about this. Straight razors always get wet compared to most of my pocket knives which don't always get wet. Blade steel used in kitchen cutlery seems like a good comparison. I will learn.

Thanks for the help everybody.

Jack

Originally Posted by BobH

Jack

You had to ask about the edge pro so this should enlighten you a bit http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...intensive.html .

Bob

Atleast He didn't do what I did and bring up the guy (I am not mentioning names) who shaves with a spoon.

Go on say the name.
Check in the workshop forum or the forge subforum and you will find those with answers to metal 's. Soap, brush, razor and strop is basic kit but the sky the limit. All do pretty and want to buy it all. As i said before use the search in the wiki and type a keyword and it will bring up all the threads with it in. Heaps of info there. You could read for months. I did. Problem is too much good stuff and want it all. Welcome to the addiction.

Originally Posted by eddy79

Go on say the name.
Check in the workshop forum or the forge subforum and you will find those with answers to metal 's. Soap, brush, razor and strop is basic kit but the sky the limit. All do pretty and want to buy it all. As i said before use the search in the wiki and type a keyword and it will bring up all the threads with it in. Heaps of info there. You could read for months. I did. Problem is too much good stuff and want it all. Welcome to the addiction.

I really don't want to say it, haha. The one time I mentioned it I linked the video, not the spoon one but the one where the guy sharpens a razor, and people kept talking about it and his reply to Glen. Then Glen stepped in and I was like "Oh crap I pissed some important people off apparently".

Originally Posted by jackknifeh

Almost sharp isn't going to cut it. You're right. I decided to start shaving again. I've had a beard for a few years. I don't have any shaving gear any more except a couple of the disposable razors. That means I need to buy everything. For the past few years I've been chasing the ultimate sharp edge on knives with a mirror polished bevel. I've been whittling hairs for a while and am still looking for sharper. Having the challenge of sharpening a straight razor was the deal maker in deciding to use a straight razor for shaving. Another thing is shaving this way has always been intriguing and something I have respected in anyone who chooses this route. The fact that the word "safety" is seldom used in these conversations means you guys are the last thrill seekers.

Asking questions about shaving is hard because I'm so stupid in this area I don't know what to ask. The only question I've actually had about the shaving process is how to limit blood flow. I'd like to keep it to a minimum. I'm going to get the DVD I found last night in the "classifieds". As I see it and you guys have recommended several times I need to start with a shave ready razor so I'll know what a good shave feels (and sounds) like and also I need to know what to shoot for in my honing. I also I need knowledge on soap, lather, pre-shave preparation, post-shave stuff, the list goes on. I had no idea how involved this issue of removing facial hair can get. I may have days I want to let the beard grow back.

Wait! I do have one question. Being from the knife world I want to know what blade steels are used in razors. Same as knives just with a different blade shape? Carbon steel? Stainless steel? Both? Someone here asked the question "which razors hold the edge longer?" All of the answers were razors from given companies. NOT the name of the steel used. This surprised me. Do companies only use one steel? Is there a choice in blade steel like there may be a choice of handle material? I'm sure all this is covered in a thread on "how to select a razor" which I haven't read yet. How sharp a particular steel can get and how long it holds the edge are the two most important things for me. Then comes corrosion resistance. This is somewhat minor to me because we can fight corrosion with any number of products available. But, I don't scrape my face with my pocket knife so some anti-corrosion products may not be as good for a face scraping tool. I do want to know about this. Straight razors always get wet compared to most of my pocket knives which don't always get wet. Blade steel used in kitchen cutlery seems like a good comparison. I will learn.

Thanks for the help everybody.

Jack

Most Vintage razor companies were pretty secretive about their steels but basically they were Tool Steel... The new production and Custom guys use a few different ones that are available out there..


Here is a Vid I did recently about what makes up a test shave, this is a good place to start when it comes to the question of sharpness... It is made clear in the Vid and that thread that if you can't do that simple test successfully there is NO reason to hurt your face by continuing...

http://straightrazorpalace.com/video...-test-vid.html

The differences between SR honing and all other sharpening is the "smooth factor", often times you will read the "Sharp is easy, Sharp and Smooth takes a little talent"
The one other thing to keep in mind is that the Geometric Profile of the SR has to be retained, certain sharpening techniques have a tendency to frown the edge, this is not good...

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Most Vintage razor companies were pretty secretive about their steels but basically they were Tool Steel... The new production and Custom guys use a few different ones that are available out there..


Here is a Vid I did recently about what makes up a test shave, this is a good place to start when it comes to the question of sharpness... It is made clear in the Vid and that thread that if you can't do that simple test successfully there is NO reason to hurt your face by continuing...

http://straightrazorpalace.com/video...-test-vid.html

The differences between SR honing and all other sharpening is the "smooth factor", often times you will read the "Sharp is easy, Sharp and Smooth takes a little talent"
The one other thing to keep in mind is that the Geometric Profile of the SR has to be retained, certain sharpening techniques have a tendency to frown the edge, this is not good...

I think I understand what you mean by smooth. I'll explain what I think of and you tell me if I'm on the right track. When sharpening a knife, kitchen knives primarily you want a toothy edge for slicing a tomato because the micro serrations cut through the skin easily and immediately. However when the edge is smooth, no matter how sharp it is the edge will try to slide along the skin and you may need to press harder to break through the skin. I'm no chef but I understand "real" chefs hate this because it can bruise the tomato (or whatever), make the food taste bad and they will get fired from their cushy chef job. I can imagine shaving with a "toothy" edge would be like using a microscopic hacksaw blade. So, smooth is essential to keep blood inside the body and provide a comfortable shave. Please tell me I won't want to shave again right after I shave just because I enjoy it. Right now I have a 30x and 60x loupe to look at the edge. I plan to get a small microscope to connect to the pc soon. I think the one I'm looking at goes up to 400x. I'll be able to take pictures of the edge at different grit progression. I've been wanting this for knife sharpening but I think I will benefit more for razor sharpening. For knives this level of sharp is really not necessary, it's just fun. From what I have seen the razor honing is many times more delicate, requiring more skill and accuracy by the honer as well as higher grit tools of good quality. A good finishing grit for any normal pocket knife is 2k. 8k is for the knife sharpening obsessive guy (me). This is the starting point for razors and has me excited. I think I have the hones and strops I'll need but time will tell. I'm not rich and need to watch what I spend but I do love buying "fun" things and waiting for the mailman. In fact I'm waiting today for an ultra-fine ceramic stone. I may take the lawn chair and sit by the mailbox. Does anyone else do this? Maybe I'm the only one.

Jack

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Here is a Vid I did recently about what makes up a test shave, this is a good place to start when it comes to the question of sharpness... It is made clear in the Vid and that thread that if you can't do that simple test successfully there is NO reason to hurt your face by continuing...

http://straightrazorpalace.com/video...-test-vid.html

Just watched this. Great info. I am worried that enjoying watching someone (a man ) shave will end in needing therapy.

Jack