lurker finally a member as of today! SoCal

Hello all. I've lurked here for a few months off and on as my interest in straight razoring has continued to grow. I've gleaned enough information to finally make the decision to finally step up and get started. The initial investment has been the main factor holding me back but this weekend I finally came across a few blades that my buddy had from his grandfather who was a barber. I grabbed 5 razors that looked like they had promise based on the vast knowledge posted in the database. I dont get to keep all 5 but I do get to keep a couple and cut my teeth (or throat!) On them after I get them dialed in. Ill try and post detailed pics of each one but right now Im doing this via smartphone so it may be too cumbersome.

Regardless, I'll be here continuing to school myself and hopefuloy pass along some relevant information to others as I learn.

Great site everyone, it's going to be fun learning this new skill. NAES

Welcome from Southern California. Be on the lookout for a meet we're having this summer. Enjoy! Will be looking forward to some pics...

Welcome Naes,

You hit the motherload of info & help. It'll turn shaving from an annoying chore to an indulgent pleasure.

On the Blades, send them out for pro-quality edges. 'Much easier to learn w/ excellent (not just passable) edges.

'Hope to hear more as you go along.

Welcome from SoCal! You will enjoy this forum.

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Wow! Thanks all already for the quick responses! Perhaps this forum is even more active than I thought!

BTW, if any of these razors are highly sought after, please let me know as I do not want to learn on the Ferrari of razors, I would prefer a Honda!


So lets get started shall we? Razor #1 is called a Spike. On the back it shows Oleans, New York. Its is flat on the spine and the edge is fairly flat with minor curvature. No pitting that i can feel with my fingernail and nothing major close to the blade edge. Looking down the spine or edge there is no twist. No cracks that I can see. The blade closes smoothly and doesnt touch the sides as it closes.

Ok, first pic set was a little out of order. Lets see if this is better.

Razor #2 is another Spike. Same model, same handle, etc. If I recall there were quite a few Spikes in the lot so gramps must have been a fan. Blade is much more discolored and clouded/stained. Some of those marks can be felt with my fingernail which tells me there may be some issues with trying to save it and make it usable. Particularly along the blade edge. But I grabbed it thinking a matched pair of razors would be good for side by side comparisons as I begin using them

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#3 is another Spike. Blade looks very similar but the handle clearly has changed. I dont know if this makes it older or newer or what. Blade and handle definitely look more well used. Edge has a ridge of discoloration thats is barely felt with my fingernail. Im worried it might create a bunch of micro-pits that will prevent the edge from ever seeing its true potential. But I will defer to you all and any bladesmith you can refer me to locally or semi locally.


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Hello, and welcome to SRP !!:chapeau

Not just straight razors....we fish,fur trap,shoot longbows,drink scotch,drink tea,smoke cigars and pipes,shoot black powder guns,ice fish...you wanna talk about it...it's all right here...oh yeah ..WELCOME to the CLUB !!!

OK here we go with blade #4. Im pretty stoked on this razor and hope it will be a good one to use. Feels great in my hand. I like the blade width and the overall design. Purely going on instinct with this one though. My only reservation is that the spine has a slight curve in it and it appears that the blade edge does too which might make stropping and the rest a little more difficult to keep consistent until I get some skills under my belt.

Blade shank says "That man Pitts". San Francisco, Ca. The flip side says J.A.Henckels Twin Works. Solingen, Germany.



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This last on I grabbed strictly for its cool, artsy-fartsy factor. Blade once was super highly polished as evidenced by some of the residual awesomeness left on it. It might be saveable and usable but my hopes arent through the moon on this one. Overall design is pretty kickass.

blade is acid etched as follows.
Joseph Rodgers & Sons
No 1
Star & Cross Razor

the shaft is stamped
cotlens(sp?) To their majesties
No 6 Norfolk St
Sheffield

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Inverted I know. Sorry all!
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I like one and four myself. Four might have a less aggressive rounder point, which is desirable when starting - but both would be great I think :).

Though we don't value razors here, I think they both have the potential to be Ferrari's. Start with a Ferrari if you can says I.

Welcome to the site! Welcome to the hobby!


**Edit** oh I like that last one too :).

Thanks again all for the warm welcomes! Ill be cruising through all the other forums and working my way around. Ill keep you all posted on my shaving progress.

NAES

Welcome naes. It looks like you found some pretty cool stuff. I personally like the Gold Spike you posted pics of. Union Cutlery is a great American razor co., one of my favs!

Check this out.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/custo...n-cutlery.html

OMFG! Im in absolute awe!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wyobarbershop

Welcome naes. It looks like you found some pretty cool stuff. I personally like the Gold Spike you posted pics of. Union Cutlery is a great American razor co., one of my favs!

Check this out.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/custo...n-cutlery.html

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Welcome naes ! Those are all nice blades and should clean up easy enough. I am in O.C. with a few others if your in this neighborhood stop by sometime. I am very close to the Duck Pond :<0)

Hi there and welcome. All those razors look good to me and with patience should clean up. If it were me I'd send at least one out to be honed. You could always do that after trying your hand at restoring up to the point where it needs honing. As others have mentioned your first shaves should be with a razor the has been honed by someone who knows what they are doing, otherwise your first experience may put you off.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 10Pups

Welcome naes ! Those are all nice blades and should clean up easy enough. I am in O.C. with a few others if your in this neighborhood stop by sometime. I am very close to the Duck Pond :<0)

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Yep all those ducks are BBS.

Hi and welcome. Looks like gramps knew a decent razor when he saw it. Cant see anything that would stop any of them cleaning up to good shavers.

Thanks again all for the encouragement and knowledgable replies. I will be putting it all to good use. New strop on the way and a brush too. Both USA made but i forget the brands offhand. I know Ill kill the strop practicing but it was cheap. Next up will be soaps. Ill start off cheap and figure out what feel and scent I like best.

The Joseph Rodgers will say Cutlers to their majesties

Welcome naes!

Don't go too cheap on the soap. Some of the cheaper ones are the hardest to lather. Bad lather equals painful shave.

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Originally Posted by nessmuck

Not just straight razors....we fish,fur trap,shoot longbows,drink scotch,drink tea,smoke cigars and pipes,shoot black powder guns,ice fish...you wanna talk about it...it's all right here...oh yeah ..WELCOME to the CLUB !!!

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Your post made me grow a beard.... Instantly [emoji1]...

Welcome Shaun! Hope everything goes well with your first shaves...

WP34

Great hanging out Mike. I started a thead in the Gallery with pics describing my experience

Ditto Naes...drop me a PM if you ever have any questions or needs.

WP34

Just an update on my progress. Ive been shaving with about 6 or 7 different blades in my rotation. So far the spikes have consistently done the best work for me. They are light, nimble and have a feel both in the hand and against the face that is unmatched by my others thus far. Whay I really love is shaving a 5 day grow. Slices through all those hairs with finesse, ease and absolutely painless! If I tried this with a modern Quattro blade, it would clog and be very painful to use. I still need the Quattro for a quick cleanup after im done using the straight. Im still amazed that I can whip that blade around my face and come out looking like a new man!

thanks again to all those who have helped and encouraged me along the way.

NAES

Good to hear NAES! Glad to hear you're getting full use of your rotation.Eventually even using the Quattro for a little final clean-up will be a distant memory. Patience and practice...

:tu

WP34

Keep it up! See you at the meet!