Heya from Minnesota, eh :)

Hello fellow straight shavers! I've been lurking here and over at B&B for several months now, and finally have decided to join this great community. :D

Im a lab tech living in central MN, born and raised, and play music, tinker with microbiology, and do random craftwork on my free time. I'm a fanatic about anything old school, (and i mean older-than-dirt school) always learning how they did things before stores, factories, fridges and fuel/elecricity.

Ive been using a straight for about 2-3 months now, and ive so far seen it as much more enjoyable, with my terrible duo of coarse beard and sensitive skin, than my grandpa's Gillette adjustable DE, which I've been using for almost a year. I have a Vintage Blades 6/8 carbon steel with acrylic scales, basically went for cheap when I planned to start, assuming I'd damage it while I'm riding that learning curve. That blade's edge, and my strop as im sure you guys would imagine, after almost 3 months of newbie use without a honing has seen some gruesome battles, lol. It had a small chip in the edge when i first got it, but i was too excited to start so i decided not to send it back for a rehoning.
But honing is exactly what my concern is now, since with my still improving skill ive hit a point where the shaves are no longer becoming more comfortable, and it sometimes feels like its pulling my face off. I figure what better month than no shave november to bear to part with my only straight for a few days to have somomeone who actually has experience hone it? I do plan to learn how to myself, but the money for all the stones is not in my budget quite yet. Yet....
So if theres anyone here with decent honing experience in the cloudy town area, Id love to have access to your services.

Anywho... hi again, you guys have already helped me with a lot of info about the world of straights, looking forward to joining this community :)

Welcome. There is a ton of information in the library, but I'm guessing a former lurker knows how to navigate the site just fine. I think getting your razor honed is a good idea. There is a section of the classifieds named member services, you will find people who hone there. A mentor might be a good idea too.

Welcome!
There are quite a few Mentors and shave folks in MN. All good folks! 32t and Rodb are closest to you in the North suburbs. Randydancer in St Paul and Utopian in Rochester.
You might PM one of them to see what can be accomplished. They do like coffee and good food to meet up as a way to get acquainted.

But, best of all you have a good start on a long and pleasant hobby / lifestyle!
~Richard

Welcome!!
If you get to the Twin Cities, Randydance062449 has get togethers with new users and covers honing, stropping etc. I'm usually there as well

Hi and welcome aboard

If you can find the time to make the drive to St Paul, you will greatly benefit from spending some time with Randy. He can help you with anything related to straight razors.

As you stated that honing is problematic, you will greatly benefit from Randy's help. If you are have any difficulty with honing, it will be very well worth your time to make the trip.

Wow, such warming welcomes, considering this is the internet, lol...
I'll definitely have to hit up randy sometime soon, albeit a visit would be quite some time out (with a screaming metal deathtrap that i purchased for under $400 as transportation and working overnights :P) as well as looking through the classifieds.
I've been eyeballing a chinese 12k and the typical norton 4/8k to practice honing when I next get paid, but definitely would like to have an experienced job first as a quality reference. But being that i have to (sadly) wait all month to use it, it gives me another question: does a blade lose its edge over time when not in use? I know that keeping it dry and out of little hands makes the biggest impact, but its always better to ask and look like a fool than to keep it to yourself and remain foolish :)

Hey and welcome

Welcome rupert. :)

Welcome to SRP :)

Since your a newb to this I will hone your razor for you no charge. I will send you my mailing address via PM.
Hold off on getting the Norton's etc until after you have met with one of us here in Minnesota.
Maybe RodB will come over and help me get it honed up! :) ( he is good at this :) )

does a blade lose its edge over time when not in use?


If it is for a short amount of time (months) the answer is usually no. If it is for a long time ( years) then the edge starts to oxidize and loses its sharpness.

Hope this helps,

Wow, I'm gracious of the free offer, thanks a lot. :) I'll try to send it out this weekend, when I'm actually awake during normal business hours, lol.
I've been trying to make a weekend trip to my grandpa's down in hugo for a while now, I'll definitely try to stop by and see some experience at work when I get down there :D