Thread: New member from SC, questions about recent Red Imp purchase.

He'll everyone,

Im new to straight shaving and just picked up my first straight. At first I was going to buy a half hollow Dovo Best quality, but I fell in love with this Red Imp 132 Wedge while browsing ebay. It's made by Case and looks to be in great shape. Owner said its shave ready and mint. Paid over $100 for it so I'm hoping it was a good purchase.


I heard rounded edges and half hollow are better for beginners, but this one just called to me. Was wondering what you guys think of using wedges vs half and full hollows.

I also picked up a Red Imp strop to go with it. It's in need of some care but I'm hoping it's still usable. It's hard to tell from the photos and I'm still waiting for it too arrive. Any tips on restoring a vintage strop? Thanks for the help, looking forward to having my first straight shave in the next few days.

Welcome to SRP RyanZombi: Your Red Imp is a fine shaving razor when honed to a "true shave ready edge". If your razor hasn't been sharpened in a while, it may take more than just a good leather strop to get it "shave ready". Using a wash cloth and saddle soap clean your strop. Allow it to air dry completely. Apply just a few drops of neats foot oil to both sides of your strop. Rub the oil into the leather. This should re-condition the strop and give you many more years of useful service.

The SRP library has a wealth of information to help you get started. Also search for the Lynn Abrams Introduction to Straight Razor Shaving On Youtube. A good visual guide to help you learn the proper technique for straight razor shaving.

Welcome aboard,,,
Very nice looking razor & strop,,,
Soon some strop guys will find your post & give you some advice on how to restore it.
Thank you for taking the time to share your equipment,,,

I purchased a barbers hone because it was pretty cheap compared to a new whetstone. still planing on getting a Norton 4K/8K.

Give it a test shave , but more than likely you will need to send it out to be honed properly so that you can learn how to shave with it , and have the best chance for success , read a bunch from the library and really learn how to strop. It is one of the most important aspect of keeping your razor shaving. Get a decent brush and soap then learn to build your lather, go slow and in time then when you can shave start tackling the honing part. Tc

Welcome to SRP

welcome to SRP
if you do a quick search there are a bunch of threads on reconditioning your strop .
the Red Imp is a wonderful razor , I owned the 132 & 133 , the wedge was my fav of the 2 ..

Well consensus is learn to shave well with a straight first then you can tell where's its shave ready I would suggest checking in the forum there are plenty of honers in here and could be a meeting group or one on one instructor in your area.. just my two cents

Razor honing is a skill and like all skills it will take time to learn. You will end up doing it many times before you get it right. Start with something cheap but ok that you are not worried about ruining and not the razor you want to use. Definitely meet up with someone if you are able. Good luck

Hi RyanZombi & welcome to SRP. Sorry I'm late to the party. I actually saw that razor on eBay the other day & it looked as though it is new but you will know. I looked at it in the close ups & it looked like it had never been on a hone. I have a Red Imp 132 & it's a very nice razor. You made a good choice for a first straight. The strop looks like it is in pretty good condition too. I would follow feltspanky's advice or I'd have said the same thing. I think I saw that strop too & just looking at it, I think it's going to be ok. You made a good decision there too. You can practice with a butter knife & an old wide leather belt instead of using the razor on the strop right away. Get plenty of stropping practice because it's easy to cut a strop with your razor if you accidentally go the wrong way. Just take your time & you'll be ok. You'll find everything you need to know in the Library like other's may have already mentioned.
Congrats on your razor & strop, you did very well!
Good luck!