Hello everyone,

I haven't shaved in serval years but recently decided to get rid of the beard. I will be needing all new shaving stuff. I don't even have cheap disposable razors. Then the ideal struck me to try using a straight razor. I've gotten "into" pocket knives and sharpening in the past few years and the sharpening aspect of it is as interesting to me as the knives themselves. So sharpening a straight razor is as compelling a reason to give this a try as just shaving with one. I've gotten very proficient at sharpening knives but when someone mentions sharpening a straight razor it seems to be a different conversation. I don't mean just getting it "sharp enough". I want to be able to get the edge people enjoy shaving with.

I ordered a cheap (<$20) razor off eBay. I have been told I will not enjoy shaving with this thing. Maybe I can use it to practice the sharpening aspect. A friend mailed me a razor of his that no longer has a handle. I'll be making a handle for it. I don't know the brand but I'm sure it's a decent one. I don't have any soap or anything else. I figured I'd just use regular shaving cream. Does special soap make a big difference?

As you see I need a lot of information that I had no idea was necessary. Any help is appreciated. I'm hoping this stays a way of shaving that I enjoy and a new sharpening skill to learn AND THAT'S ABOUT IT! lol I don't want it to become an obsession. I have 10 to 15 pocket knives I USE but it took buying 50 or more to find a "set" of every day carry knives I like. I don't want to buy 50 straight razors and hundreds of $ worth of sharpening stones/strops over the next few years. However, that is the path I seem to take when something grabs my interest. We'll see. lol

Thanks for any assistance. I think I need more than I know.

Jack