Thread: Truckin' on the road

Originally Posted by Longhaultanker

Just got home from my Calif. run. Wow, I was surprised to see all those posts telling/suggesting I get a pro honed razor all because I said my GD208 was still my sharpest. I might suggest a re-read of my original post. Yes, all my razors were inspected by Will at classicshaving.com. I carried my kit to their shop and we went over every aspect of straight razor shaving, including a demonstration of my stropping. Will offered tips and suggestions, which in fact I was looking for. As I said, validation was received that I was on the right road. As to honing, I didnt just buy one or two stones, but a full set of Sharpton Glass stones, namely 1k, 2k, 4k, 8k, 16k, and 30k, on the way. I am anxious to learn and practice all I can. That's why I stopped at CS in Palm Springs, and watch all those videos on YouTube. Truck drivers don't have a lot to do at night but read a book or surf internet. I bought my two Dovos from CS. Will was only too glad to receive this simple truck driver. My TIs, from 2 vendors at Amazon.com. When I called with questions I was brushed off. I sensed an elitism I hope I don't find here. Let's have fun with this great hobby and help each other get better.

Easy, Big guy! We always diss the poor old GD's. How we roll! Utopian is a good guy here, yet speaks his mind. Admirable (mostly!). I can see you are a trucker. My dad was a driver his whole life. Still kicking at 90.
Made him quit at 86 yrs old!
2 grand on honing stuff? Oh MY!

BTW....did you know you are driving upside down?

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Easy, Big guy! We always diss the poor old GD's. How we roll! Utopian is a good guy here, yet speaks his mind. Admirable (mostly!). I can see you are a trucker. My dad was a driver his whole life. Still kicking at 90.
Made him quit at 86 yrs old!
2 grand on honing stuff? Oh MY!

BTW....did you know you are driving upside down?

Tom, you're a hoot brother!

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Easy, Big guy! We always diss the poor old GD's. How we roll! Utopian is a good guy here, yet speaks his mind. Admirable (mostly!). I can see you are a trucker. My dad was a driver his whole life. Still kicking at 90.
Made him quit at 86 yrs old!
2 grand on honing stuff? Oh MY!

BTW....did you know you are driving upside down?

Yeah, the $2000 was over the last 6 months and includes all the stones, Dovo Bismarck 6/8k, Dovo Bergischer Lowe 5/8, Thiers Issard Eagle 5/8, TI Bijou de France 7/8 square point, a red latigo strop, and a few other odds and ends. Wife gave me permission tonight to get the Wacker Old Sheffield 7/8 with barber's notch.

I tried to fix the pix, but didn't see rotate tool. Trust me, I uploaded it normal but got twisted.

On dissing the GD, I get it, but seems strange to me, even elitist that we encourage the hobby of straight razor shaving, point beginners to youtube for all the videos, tell him get some stones, but start honing with a $300 $400 razor. Doesn't make sense. Get the stones and a GD razor and grind away. No harm, no foul. Why should it sound odd that my GD is still my sharpest razor? I ground that snot out of it over the first month. Practice makes perfect. Obviously I didn't treat my expensive razors with the same vigor.

Hat tip to your dad.

Originally Posted by Longhaultanker

Let's have fun with this great hobby and help each other get better.

Yup, that's pretty much what we are about. The fact that Will checked out your razors eliminates my concern about whether or not your razors were in good shape. If you stick around here, you will see many reasons why the pro-honing issue is brought up over and over, and that is because we get a regular stream of beginners who get frustrated and want to give up because they are trying, and failing, to shave with bad razors or bad edges.

I hope your avatar is not accurate. I figure that you should be driving with the wheels on the road!

Thanks, Man! The GD's are a suck for a learning tool, IMO. Not worth a damn as-shaving. EVEN as it get's shaving. So much more is out there. JMHO.
Be Safe out there!

Originally Posted by Utopian

Yup, that's pretty much what we are about. The fact that Will checked out your razors eliminates my concern about whether or not your razors were in good shape. If you stick around here, you will see many reasons why the pro-honing issue is brought up over and over, and that is because we get a regular stream of beginners who get frustrated and want to give up because they are trying, and failing, to shave with bad razors or bad edges.

I hope your avatar is not accurate. I figure that you should be driving with the wheels on the road!

There He is!

It seems our trucker friend here is going to turn out to be a great member!

Originally Posted by Longhaultanker

Just got home from my Calif. run. Wow, I was surprised to see all those posts telling/suggesting I get a pro honed razor all because I said my GD208 was still my sharpest. I might suggest a re-read of my original post. Yes, all my razors were inspected by Will at classicshaving.com. I carried my kit to their shop and we went over every aspect of straight razor shaving, including a demonstration of my stropping. Will offered tips and suggestions, which in fact I was looking for. As I said, validation was received that I was on the right road. As to honing, I didnt just buy one or two stones, but a full set of Sharpton Glass stones, namely 1k, 2k, 4k, 8k, 16k, and 30k, on the way. I am anxious to learn and practice all I can. That's why I stopped at CS in Palm Springs, and watch all those videos on YouTube. Truck drivers don't have a lot to do at night but read a book or surf internet. I bought my two Dovos from CS. Will was only too glad to receive this simple truck driver. My TIs, from 2 vendors at Amazon.com. When I called with questions I was brushed off. I sensed an elitism I hope I don't find here. Let's have fun with this great hobby and help each other get better.

Originally Posted by engine46

It seems our trucker friend here is going to turn out to be a great member!

I'm all in on this straight razor hobby. I've sold 3 guns and promised my wife I'd give up my gun hobby for the razor hobby. Here's why... I already have more guns and ammo than I know what to do with. I haven't been range shooting or hunting in years. I currently have 2 new guns never shot in 18 months. BUT beautiful straight razors, gold washed, etched, carved, barber's notches, Spanish points, square points, etc. that I can hold in my hand EVERY night, a blade that I've hone razor perfection... now that's the art of manliness. I have two grandsons 7, 4, and a granddaughter 9. They watch me hone, shave, and the 2 older even thumb pad test, under my close supervision. The two older can even break down a pistol for cleaning. Why? Because I taught them.

Man do the gold dollars cop it round here. Why? Because many come with geometry problems, poor grinding, stabalizers that prevent proper honing and metal that may never take a decent edge. You will see it mentioned again and again in beginner's threads to head to the classifieds for a cheap($40 - 50) to learn on or the many many common no name vintage razors available as they are good steel and well manufactured. You got lucky with yours unfortunately many do not and it fouls the experience for them. Good to hear you are enjoying such a great start.