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

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

G'Day Jack and a warm welcome to you.
As a suggestion, I would read the library section in detail.
I spent days in this area when I first got the bug and it is very much worth the time and effort.
Be aware, too, that knives and razors are VERY different animals and, as such require very different honing methods.
Finally, you might like to edit your profile to let us know where you are.
You never know - there may be an experienced shaver right around the corner who could help.

Wellcome Jack
All you need to know is on SRP,you will be innundated shortly

Welcome to the forum. There is a lot of info on the site that you should read first like this Beginner's guide to straight razor shaving - Straight Razor Place Wiki .

From what I can see there is not a lot of correlation between sharpening a knife and a straight except getting a sharp blade. The hones used to sharpen a straight are different as is the technique.

If by regular shaving cream you mean what is commonly referred to here as "crap in a can", I would not do it. A decent brush and cream/soap/shave stick do not cost a lot and are better. You will also need a strop to help maintain the edge.

Again lots of info on that in the various sections on here. Read up on them and I am sure you will have more specific questions to ask that people will be more than happy to answer.

Bob

Welcome Jack to the ride of a life time. I was going to add my two or more cents to your questions and when I saw who the first responders were you hit information plus paydirt. So all I can say is to echo, let us know where you are and mentors and shavers and honers will probably come out of the woodwork. That is unless you are 100 miles north of the Arctic Circle. Enjoy the Forum.

WOW. Thanks for the quick replies guys. I'll be doing some reading it looks like. It's even more obvious to me now that I've stumbled into a new category of cutting tools. An example is "hone" seems to replace the word "sharpen" when referring to getting the edge usable. I sharpen a knife to get it usable but when I want it truely sharp I hone it. A straight razor should never get "dull". Not even close. Hence, frequent stropping or touching up on a stone. I'll be asking specifics about stones and strops soon. I have some quality tools for knives and hoped they would be all I need for razors. But then I hoped "crap in a can" would be ok too. LOL I've been able to get my knives sharp enough to "whittle a hair" for quite a while but I read an article about the "Hanging Hair Test" sharpness test. Obviously a different level of "sharp". Learned a little bit about a strand of hair also. Next I'll want to become a hair dresser (OH NO!). lol

Jack

Welcome aboard! As stated above, start with reding the Wiki. It is actually very detailed and a great start. I'm still finding new information (and expect to be finding new things for quite some time). As a knife guru, I expect you will be picking up on the honing and maintenace aspect fairly quickly.

Welcome to SRP and The concept of ENJOYING the shave! The previous posts are all VERY good advice. Also you are correct in the thinking that "sharpening" a knife and "honing" a razor are two entirely different animals. I am relatively new to this game as well, I started in January but I can tell you I have picked up on almost every aspect fairly quickly including honing. I am located in NOLA and I make the trip to pensacola every now and again and also have friends in Crestview. so if you'd like to get together sometime I'm pretty sure we could work that out. The one thing no one here has mentioned is that you really should get a SHAVE READY razor honed by one of the Pro honemeisters here to have an Idea of what Shave ready sharp actually is. Anyway just remember what our founder always says... HAVE FUN!!

Ok guys, first off let me say thanks for the help so far. I know I'm barely touching the surface but I did take my first step. I got my first razor in the mail today. It is truely a learning experience. After shipping I paid $19 for this gem. The edge on this "thing" is completely dull even in pocket knife standards. It won't even slice paper. I assume quality razors come ready to shave. Is this correct? Some knife companies advertise their knives are sharp but it depends on the buyer's standard of what sharp is that determines the satisfaction. Also, I was expecting the blade to be a lot thinner than it is. The edge bevel angle resembles a pocket knife edge. I'd guess the angle is around 45 - 50 degrees inclusive (25 deg per side). This is unacceptable for a knife in my opion and rediculous for a straight razor. Is my thinking correct? The best thing about this razor is I can start my honing practice now. I would start shaving but I want to keep the blood inside my skin. lol My friend has mailed me a better razor so I believe it will be closer to what I need. He used to use it so it may need a touch up but at least it should be in the shape a razor should be in I think.

Are edge angles measured on straight razors or are they just as thin as possible. I've read the angle is created by keeping the spine on the stone or strop while stroking and this controls the angle. Is this true?

Jack

Just measured the thickness of the blade just above the edge bevel. It is 1mm thick. That is twice as thick as two of my pocket knives. If I get info on what the edge is supposed to look like, how thin the blade should be and edge angle I will re-profile the edge so at least it might cut string. Since I think I've started at the bottom things can only go up. Looking on the bright side and all. lol As often as I've tried spending as little as possible and ending up with junk you'd think I would have learned by now. Now that HAVE learned, I'll never do that again. Yeah, right. lol

Jack