Thread: Beginner from MI

Hello

I just received my first Straight razor as a gift from my father. He bought it used with a set of 4 other straight razors. I am super excited to give it a shot. The model is the Curtis Campbell by the Wilbert Cutlery Co out of Chicago. I've been told that I need to buy a 4000/8000 waterstone along with a strop and brush..... Any and all help is greatly appreciated. Attached are some pictures of my razor. Thank you

I have a Wilbert, it is a fine shaver. Wilbert is a Sears and Roebuck Co brand name. Read the wikis on SRP. A strop is an immediate need to keep the edge in top notch condition. If it isn't shave ready you need to have a pro or mentor hone it for you before you attack your first shave. I assume you already have a brush and soap/cream. Unless you are thinking of learning to hone your own razors somewhere down the line I would suggest to first get a barbers hone or a Naniwa 12k water stone for re-freshening the edge when it is needed. Proper stropping technique can forestall the need for re-freshening and/or re honing for a goodly amount of time.

Above all, read the wikis, watch the videos and ask lots of questions of the SRP membership.

Welcome to SRP Drew. You should send that razor out and get it honed by a pro. Even if you get a 4/8k you have no idea what sharp is,
unless your father is a straight user. I am kind of curious where the other 3 razors went :<0) You do need a strop for every use and don't underestimate how important prep can be. As in, get a brush and some good soap too, it will help a lot. Ease into it and pay attention. Lots of good reading in here as Razorfeld said. Not that 1 question won't get you fifty answers around here.

Hey drew, no time like the present. When I switched from DE to the deep-end I shaved at night in case I got a weeper. I didn't relish the thought of blood spots on my jaw or shirt collar when I went to a workplace filled with a bunch of guys who took great pleasure in busting chops.

It's a little strange to have the feeling of a fresh shaved face before rack time so I shaved a few hours before I went to sleep. Having a little stubble for a few days was worth it to me. I did that routine until I could go 5 consecutive days without a nick, then I gave myself an extra 10 minutes shave time in the morning to just enjoy the whole experience. Enjoy!

Hi and welcome. As said get the razor pro honed as without knowing what shave ready is how can you be sure your razor is shave ready. Also as said check out the library for all the starter info and the other basics of Sr shaving. Any questions feel free to ask.

While I am not a pro honer I do a good job on my own. If you are anywhere near Jackson I would be more than happy to meet up and hone it for you and answer any questions that I am able to.

Welcome Drew from another brand new enthusiast, and congratulations on your gift! I am waiting for my first SR and strop to arrive and am jonesing to get started! I also will be looking for new/used Norton 4k/8k and Shapton 16000 glass stone. Good luck to us both!

I already have RAD and have not even had my first shave let alone handled my first razor LOL I will be content, to start with, when I have 2 round points and 1 square point to outline my goatee. I will be in SR heaven when I have a high end SR in my rotation, all the stones I need, and an SRD 3" English bridle with D rings. Enjoy the journey

Hello Drew and welcome!