Thread: Discouraged Newbie

So you've jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire.

I strongly suggest slowing down on the purchases until you learn a bit more so that you stop wasting money. If the Red Deer strop is anything like the Red Deer razor, then you could have just bought a Krieger strop. The WD razor is going to be another crapshoot.

Don't buy a 1k hone yet.

You first need to learn how to shave with a decent razor, which you can probably find in the Classifieds on this forum. Then you need to be able to maintain that razor first with a decent strop (which your red deer probably is not) and then with the Norton 8k. Only when you can hone adequately enough to maintain, rather than destroy, your edge with the 8k should you consider getting a 1k, which you would only need to set bevels on non-shave-ready razors.

Hi golieath. Welcome to SRP.

Some good advice given. Slowly, slowly, catchy monkey. First thing Id do is read everything in the library, twice! Theres everything you need to know in there about using and maintaining a straight razor. This will also help with buying stuff thats probably only going to end up in the bin.

Youve said that your first shave was good so thats a great start. Now you need to address razor maintenance. Starting off with a shave ready razor is imperative to not become discouraged. Talk to your barber friend and spend some time with him going through stropping to make sure your technique is sound, this along with your 8k for maintenance should keep you going for a good while.

So if you build a new house, do you insist on doing the pro work yourself? Wiring, plumbing, and gas lines? Why not leave the most difficult part of wet shaving; honing, to the pros for now and learn the easier parts of SR shaving so you can enjoy the experience.

Hi Golieath

Pixel nailed it. Start over.
Here is a link to find members/mentors in your area. It is a good bet to gets some hands-on from a local.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/memberlist.php?do=search

The brand is actually called Kriegar (not Krieger). The list of razors to avoid is here: Brands of Straight Razors to Avoid - Straight Razor Place Library. [Interesting. Giesen & Forsthoff are on the list, but none of the "brands" which they produce...]

I find the recommendation to look for a replacement on eBay slightly frivolous. These days, you will either get real junk, amateur "restorations", or overpriced fanboy items there, unless you really, really know what to look for. If you must, try this search string here: Frequently Asked Questions - Straight Razor Place Library

And yes, buy from the Classifieds. Unless you fancy a new production razor, it is the single most reliable source for used razors.

All of the above, great advice. Patience grasshopper!


Mike

Originally Posted by RobinK

The brand is actually called Kriegar (not Krieger). The list of razors to avoid is here: Brands of Straight Razors to Avoid - Straight Razor Place Library. [Interesting. Giesen & Forsthoff are on the list, but none of the "brands" which they produce...]

I find the recommendation to look for a replacement on eBay slightly frivolous. These days, you will either get real junk, amateur "restorations", or overpriced fanboy items there, unless you really, really know what to look for. If you must, try this search string here: Frequently Asked Questions - Straight Razor Place Library

And yes, buy from the Classifieds. Unless you fancy a new production razor, it is the single most reliable source for used razors.

I find this to be a very true statement , maybe for those who actually read the advise and info in the library you would not start buying from the bay or all the other crap before you learn to shave, and I believe there's tons of info about learning to shave before honing, as said you can say your a DIY guy but no one does everything for theirselves, this can be argued a lot, because as Dave said , lots of things you don't do yourself Hone your own when you learn the basics , otherwise you won't know what sharp really is ,, Long way to say , slow down , quit buying for now the 4/8k Norton is all you need to work on a good razor after you learn to shave, now as to a strop it's more important than the hone ,, it takes leAther to properly maintain. Good luck. Tc

Hi and welcome. You have a shave ready razor coming so for maintenance you need a good strop. The strop plays a bigger part of straight shaving than you can possibly understand right now. The edge of a good strop is different than that off a crap one and will last longer. There's enough information hete to keep you reading day and night so search through and you will find everything you need. Honing a whipped dog razor may prove to be difficult depending on the wear etc it has. Good luck and remember we are always a question away so don't hesitate to ask if you are unsure of anything

Lots of good advice here. You will have more success mastering one at a time, instead of both at once. Get a quality shave ready blade and you will progress much quicker.

Speed up by slowing down.