Thread: Getting started in Houston

Gentlemen,

I'm hooked! Straight razors have always been an interest of mine and I have made one purchase and been given another. The purchase is a J.A. Henkels, and the gift is a George Wostenholm. Using the search on the board reveals both are beginner pieces. Also I have found a shop here in Houston that will hone/sharpen. I'm still learning the proper names for the parts of the razor.

Hope you get lucky. Most places say they can sharpen a razor even though they are knife guys , if they don't shave with them it's doubtful they know shave ready , but I hope the best and welcome , after they do it and if they screw it up send it out or look up a mentor in your area there are a few then get it properly honed so you stand a better chance. Read a lot about starting and learn the strop most of all. Good luck. Tc

You are in Houston> Take advantage of a large body of straight razor users. You have, at your fingertips the advice and honing help of Sharptonn, an SRP Mentor, more than willing to help. I've had experience with the knife (I can do razors also) sharpeners. Those razors are now filed under useless. PM him and get some one on one sessions with him. Condenses months of just reading and watching videos.

To paraphrase the Scott's grass seed guy in their commercials, "Write him, write him now."

Good luck, you have a couple of fine razors there with great potential.

Welcome to the SRP Forum!

Congrats on your new razors. Those should provide a nice shave. Now clean those things up and use them. Here is some additional information, if you need it.

Here is a link to the SRP Beginners Guide to Straight Shaving. This will help you with the things you need to know before you begin your experience with a straight razor.

Here is a link to the SRP Library. This will help you with pretty much anything relating to shaving with a straight razor.

Here is a link that will help you find other SRP members in your area, just insert your location and hit search now. Note that the user name listing in red is a mentor, if you should need any personal help.

Welcome to the world of straight razor shaving!

Hi and welcome. I would echo the advice to stay away from the knife shops. Good luck with your journey and any questions feel free to ask

Hi, and welcome to the forum!!

Welcome to the right way to shave!

I have given this advice many times before but you are going to get it as well...

When you go to that shop, ask them EXACTLY what they use to sharpen razors--not knives, razors. If they say it involves ANY kind of motorized equipment, slap them and leave the shop.

If they say that they do not use any kind of powered equipment, ask them if the honer shaves with a straight razor. If they say no, thank them politely and leave the shop.

Razor sharpening is not the same as knife sharpening. The often used phrase is not correct--sharp is NOT sharp.

Welcome to the forum. Those are some good looking razors you have to start with. Best of luck and enjoy the process.