Say Hey!

My grandfather used to use SR and I loved to go in and watch the whole process as a kid. I couldn't wait to learn to shave! He would get the brush out lather it up and we would shave. Well he would and he'd use the other side to shave me lol. Unfortunately he passed away before I was old enough to learn from him. He was and will always be a master in my eyes.
Fastforward 30 some odd years I'm forty now and decided it was time for me to honor my grandfather and learn to shave like a real man. I'm so glad I found this site before my razor came in. I'm a let's get this done type of guy. I'm glad Lynn has made me want to slow down a little bit.
I bought a Dovo on Amazon it looks like a beautiful razor 5/8 so I didn't go big, as I would normally do. I bought everything that I've read I need. My strop won't be in till next Friday, not sure if I should try out my SR before I get it. I also got a honing kit a Norton. Should I buy a cheap razor to learn to hone on?
Anyways I'm from SoCal hoping to not donate to much blood advice would be appreciated.
Thanks,
MikeTig

Hi Mike & welcome to SRP. There's a wealth of information on here along with many very knowledgable members so ask away. It would be an excellent idea to use a cheaper razor to practice honing on until you get your honing where you want it. I'm sure you know how to maneuver around the site, just start clicking on the topics at the top mainly the Library.
Good Luck!

Welcome! I would advise that you have the razor professionally honed before use because they don't come that way from the factory. Learn to shave and maintain your razor before learning to hone. it's not always as easy as they make it look.

Just bought a 14.99 not ready to shave on Amazon. If I ruin it no big deal thanks for the advice.
Mike

Hey, Mike. Welcome to Straight Razor Place!

+1 on what Tintin said. Get that Dovo pro-honed while you waiting for your strop. Use Lynn, Gssixgun or one of the many others who offer that service in the Classifieds section. When you get it back, wipe off the oil and shave without stropping. It will be ready to shave. On honing, I'd hold off until you first know how to shave, so you'll be able to tell when your razor needs it, and whether you are doing a good job of honing.

I'd also add you should cure yourself of buying shaving things on Amazon. There are a lot of great shaving product vendors, some of whom advertise on SRP, who carry good products at the same prices as Amazon, AND you can be sure you're getting something of quality. Amazon, while convenient, can be misleading.

Good luck and welcome.

Hi and welcome. Good luck with your shaves and any questions feel free to ask.

Definitely wait for the strop. While your razor is being professionally honed (how did you get a Dovo for $15?), you could practice stropping with a butter knife. Watch a bunch of Lynn's videos.

I'm 2 weeks in after transitioning from a safety razor. Expect a learning curve. Do you have a brush and cream or soap? Canned cream or gel are not ideal.

The issue with trying to get the razor shave ready on your own is that you won't know how a properly honed razor shaves. Once you get that down, you'll be better able to tell if you honed properly or if you messed up. Getting a cheap razor to practice on is a great idea (my cheapo honing practice razor is coming tomorrow).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Miketig

Just bought a 14.99 not ready to shave on Amazon. If I ruin it no big deal thanks for the advice.
Mike

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Only problem is a $14.99 from Amazon isn't likely to get shave ready for you to assess your honing.
It will give your muscle memory some practice tho.

At first you could try to maintain your shaver's edge with a finisher before attempting more advanced skills.

Oh ! & maybe get a second razor that is shave ready via a pro. High chance you wipe your edge. Early days yet.

Lol didn't get the Dovo for 15$ that is my cheap practice razor. I bought it because it isn't shave ready so I can practice on it.

I'm going to send in my Dovo to get professionally honed even if it's going to be a killer getting a new toy and sending it away. I live in southern California are there any places to get it honed around the SoCal area?

Thanks again for all the info,
Mike

Ok here's what I've got so far.
Dovo SR ebony handle 5/8
A practice razor to try to learn to hone
Taylor of old sandalwood shaving cream bowl and a tube to see what one I like best.
Taylor of old after shave too. I figured I'd try there products since they had good reviews.
30 degree 3" black latigo leather SR strop
Norton water stone starter kit 200/1000
4000/8000 grit
Shaving bowl by Apollo stainless steel w/ lid
Ambroley best badger shaving brush.

If I've missed anything please let me know I've tried to be as prepared as possible.

Miketig, welcome to the forum. You sound well and truly hooked. I've said it before and probably will again - slow and steady wins this race. Don't try to take too much on to begin with. You have a decent razor in your Dovo. Send it out to be pro honed. That will give you a reference as to what a truly shave ready razor shaves like. You can practice your own honing with your cheap razor. You won't get a great edge on your 8k either. You'll need a 10 or 12k to finish on. Stropping is everything. Practice your technique or you'll ruin the edge on the Dovo once it's honed. You've then got the steep learning curve to contend with of actually shaving with it. You won't get great shaves to begin with. Be patient. Persevere. It'll all come together eventually. The very best of luck.

This is all good advice here. For a practice razor, give yourself a $15 budget and go on eBay. Look for an antique without chips in the edge. At worst, you get to practice. At best, you turn it into a great razor. When you can shave comfortably off your 8000 after stropping, that's when you'll benefit from a higher grit stone. I like the Naniwa SS 12k, but there are many options, and all will be worthless until you can get a shaving edge off your 8k. Welcome to the obsession! I mean - hobby, yes, it's just a hobby. :)