Hello From a Texan!

My name is Jon, and I've been using a straight(technically a shavette...) for a couple of months. I am looking to upgrade in the VERY near future, possibly today thanks to user "coryschmidt"'s post in the Classifieds.

I'm currently serving a religious proselyting mission in Ogden, Utah for my church, and am on a VERY tight budget, so a used blade was my only real option. Cost over time was my primary reason for upgrading from a cartridge razor, plus I was already using a bowl and brush kit my dad sent me for Christmas. That alone gave a much closer shave than spray or squeeze cream.

I'm also looking at making a linen strop out of some canvas that I have, again due to cost, and I have two prototypes in progress. I'll post pictures when I can.

I'm not able to get to a computer too much, as I'm pretty busy with missionary work. I will check back as often as I can.



My Faith

Hi and welcome. You will need a leather strop as well. Canvas is optional but leather is a must. Combined with a finishing stone or a barber hone and you should be set for some time. If you haven't already check out the library for all the starter info and the other basics of Sr shaving. Any questions feel free to ask.

Welcome to SRP!! Sounds like you are off to a great start!! There should be plenty of Antique Stores/Junk Shops around Ogden/SLC that you may be able to find some other gear for very little... Definitely worth the time looking around for a decent Strop or Barber's Hone and you may even find other Razors in the mix. :)

Best of luck and enjoy those shaves!!

Shawn
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So I ordered a couple of things on Amazon (NO razors yet, I promise!) and would like opinions on my purchases.

Strop

Hone

What does the community think?

Strop doesn't give much information. Wait and see as long as it is smooth and defect free it should be alright. Diamond hones are not recommended and if used would only be at bevel setting stages. It will not be a hone used to maintain the edge. You could use it as a lapping plate for a water stone. A finishing stone is in the 8k to 12k range.

Welcome to the forum! I know its fun to just start buying equipment, but just as you are holding off on purchasing razors, please take your time to peruse and research other sections of the forum such as the Hones and Honing section.

Looking at the link for the hones you choose, those appear to be more suited for "quick and dirty" sharpening of chisels rather than straight razors. A very cheap and easy route to honing, (maintaining an good edge), is to use high grit sand paper such as 3M's fiber optic polishing paper whose "grits" are in the microns. A used Barber hone, if you can come across one, would also be good and probably last you a lifetime.

As far as the strop you've ordered, it should work for you if keep the leather supple and your blade is sharp. It's a little bit more narrow than what I'm used to, (and shorter), but should serve you well as a beginner's strop as nicks can occur when learning to strop.

Good luck, and enjoy your time out of state,

-mikeo

Welcome to the forum. I can relate to your budget concerns right now! The library and search bar can help answer a lot of your questions.

I'll add that while the strop you ordered may work okay, personally I wish I had invested an extra $20 dollars or so and ordered something like a Tony Miller Vanilla (beginner) strop.

Good razor hones are expensive. The one you ordered isn't really for razors. At that price, I doubt it is even very good for knives. Unless you are very experienced at razor honing, the cost of all the stones you would need set the bevel and finish a razor will add up quick.

I would buy a shave ready razor, or buy one in GOOD condition and send it to a member here that offers honing services. If you get a razor honed well you can keep a good shaving edge for some time with just a strop and if you have a finishing stone you may be able to 'refresh' it with that.

You touch on topics that each have their own thread. I would spend some time reading on the forum before you make any more purchases. Sometimes the purchases you make to save money can cost you more in the long run. I know!