Thread: Maine Checking in.

Hello,

I have only recently thought about using a straight razor. I have been using an old Mercur with mug puck n brush for years, but i think its time to take the plunge. I have two straights but I'm not sure the condition they need to be in, in order to work the way they should. I'll take a look in the honing section in a bit. Anyway, I hope to learn alot.

Regards~
Ben

You might consider sending your razors off to be honed by a professional.

Welcome Churchwarden to SRP, the only forum on earth that welcome one and all interested in the art and skill of straight razor shaving. Even though you have been a DE user and have a good sense of what it takes to have a good shave let me suggest that you post asking for the whereabouts of any mentors in your area, They can advise you on getting the proper honing of your two razors. It can't be stressed enough, honing a knife is NOTHING like honing a razor - apples and oranges! Learn the qualities of a good shave - the art, and then as interested, learn howto hone - the skill. Learn from a lot of the members that jumped in the deep end of the pool when water wings might have been needed (I speak from experience). Again, welcome and enjoy the generally serious and oft times humerous ride on the SRP roller coaster.

Hello welcome to the forum. I haven't been here too long(the forum) but I'm from Maine too (Rockland). I've only been shaving with the straight for about 3 weeks now so probably not too much advice from me. I would recommend as Leatherstockings said to get your razor professionally honed. About a month ago I found a nice J.R. Torrey razor in an antique place in Friendship; sent it out to get honed up and it shaves great. Oh, and get a strop too.

Hi and welcome, as suggested check out the library as it outlines the basics surrounding sr shaving, razors ,strops, etc. You need to get the razor professionally sharpened as at this stage you don't know what shave ready is for a straight razor and wont be able to accurately judge it for a while. As Razorfeld mentioned a mentor could help with this and lesson the learning curve dramatically. Good luck