Thread: Hello from Minnesota

Hey everyone, I'm Mike from Baxter, MN. Look forward to all future discussions and getting help from all the veterans on here! Been wet shaving for a little over a year, with just jumping from DEs to SRs two months ago and I LOVE IT!!!!!!! I'm just getting into restoration and honing as those areas aren't completely foreign to me as I have restored and sharpened hunting knives for years as a hobby. Don't hunt anymore so I decided to take these skills to straight razors. Although I don't do scales as I don't have a workshop for that. Again, look forward to being a part of the forums!

Welcome. Enjoy good advice and friendly banter.

Welcome!!!

There are a lot of us in Minnesota.

That's great to hear!! I hope to meet some more wet shavers as I don't know any others in the Brainerd/Baxter area. I'm trying to get my brothers introduced to this. Got them DE starter kits with some PPF soaps for Xmas and they seem to be enjoying it. It's a new obsession that I thought would leave by now, but 14 months later I'm still gather soaps, brushes and razors as my finances will allow.

If I remember right there's a few up by you

I'm sure I'll come across them with time. Especially if they're on here.

Welcome to SRP MNWetShaver. Even though you have knife sharpening skills I would caution you to not, at this time, try honing your straight razors. It is as different as apples and oranges. Concentrate on getting good straight razor shaves first, get to know fellow shavers near you and find a Mentor or Senior Member with several years experience to show you how different honing a razor is from sharpening a knife or tool.

Here are two SRP members that are willing to show you what you need to know about razors and honing.

HNSB (Brainerd, St. Cloud, etc...)
randydance062449 (Minneapolis / St. Paul)

Additionally there are videos by gssixgun and Lynn on honing that are the 'bible' of honing. As well, the Library has excellent material on all aspects of this craft/art/hobby. And above all, ask questions (there are no dumb questions if you are seeking a realistic answer), the membership will be happy to share their expertise with you.

Thanks for the input Razorfeld!! I think I've watched Glen and Lynn's videos hundreds of times, done mountains of research, have gotten in touch with other honers before joining SRP, and am headed to a get together next Saturday to meet some other members on here and go over honing techniques and skills before I pull the trigger on ordering a set of stones. Straight razor shaving, though, absolutely love it. With the help of (again) Lynn's videos, some other videos, discussions with other straight razors, it's gone great. I wouldn't be jumping to honing if I was having any troubles with stropping. But, it's going to be through continued mentoring through individuals I get to know here and meet in the community that will help me build and refine skills in shaving, refreshing and honing.

Hi Mike & welcome to SRP. it is THE place to learn all your straight razor needs. There is so much to learn here & you will love it more as time goes on. The most important thing to know is stropping so I hope you have accomplished that well. You can also look in the library if you already haven't done so on that issue. I like the fact you like restoring which is one of my favorite things to do. I really love to bring old ones back to their original life if possible. Making scales isn't that hard. A couple of the main things you need are a belt sander & a scroll saw. A few files & sandpaper are also needed but you can get those at a low cost. Also a good peening hammer & a good punch for pins are needed but again if you shop around, you can find the cheaper tools at different places. Can't forget the drill either for drilling pin holes. Oh and a small anvil is needed also. I almost forgot that. You can learn to make your own scales in the Library here & if you have any questions, please pm me or just ask on the forum. For now just keep on going the way you are. You're going to be okay.
Good luck.

Stropping is good. Slow, but that's ok. Lol. Scales are something I'll venture into once I get a bigger place. Preferably with a garage with those power tools. Don't need that mess in my kitchen. Lol. I've got a guy that will do scales in the meantime, if the razor needs scales. I'm kind of hoping the W&B I just ordered won't, and maybe just re-pinning. Something I will tackle. Founs a great set of a small anvil, 4oz ball peen hammer and flush cutter I just ordered.