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Hi Folks,
My name is Danny. I'm 44 y.o and all my life was dreaming to enter into the straight shaving. Last couple of weeks spending my time on reading articles all over the net and especially on SRP.
I'm about to order my first set from SRD. Still have a concern regarding belt or paddle strop. Anyway, will be glad to have yours advice or even meet mentor from my area.
Cheers
Welcome to the forum Danny. I think there are a couple of members from the Peg on this forum.
Bob
Welcome to the forum. There are a lot of sharing people here. As far as bench or hanging goes make sure there is replacement leather available and all will be good. Also we tend to be a little hard on gear to start so don't spend too much for your first one. Small nicks are easy to fix too.
Welcome from one winnipegger to another! If you are looking for a local source for a cheaper starter strop look up "eddies sharpening". I have heard mixed results on his sharpening services but he sells strops and other goods. I haven't checked out what he has personally, but has contacted him regarding some strop and I know hes got 2" and 2.5" strops for less than $60.
Knowing from experience and other stories, you may chew up your first strop so spending a bit less might not be bad until you get a good handle on the technique.
Welcome!
Welcome Danny!
As another 44-year-old who grew up in your fine city, it's possible our paths may have crossed in the past. What part of town are you from?
Good luck, and ask loads of questions. The are plenty of us here to help you along.
Cheers,
Kris
Another Winnipeg'er!
Welcome to SRP!
And yes, the SRD Modular paddle strop would be a great first strop. I've made my own over the years, but I might spring for a pre-made one. The paddle will be fine for plain leather stropping and also as a pasted strop to keep your razor up to snuff. The hones can come later if you decide to go that route, or you may wish to send the razors out for honing and just maintain with your pasted strop and or a small barbers hone or some such.
Hanging strop.... Used correctly, they are great, but to start, a paddle strop helps avoid rolling the edge by accident, not to mention a pad is cheaper than replacing a hanging strop if you make an error and cut into the strop. I've done it several times on my first hangers, thankfully a little contact cement let me fix it, but it all depends...
As far as those hanging strops go, SRD strops are a great value and a quality product, from what I hear. I'm looking at one myself, and I already have 4 hanging strops.
By the way, what end of Winnipeg are you in? I'm in the Westwood/Crestview area, West end of Winnipeg.
Regards
Christian
Welcome to SRP Danny!
Ask questions the fine folks here will point you in the right direction.
You will love straight razor shaving. Take it slow and progress as needed.
Wow....lots of Winnipegers in the group.......
:beer1:
Hello Danny and welcome.
Wow!!!! I so impressed yours worm welcome and prompt advices. Thank everyone for good wishes. Hope to be integrated in the family.
Cangooner,Quote:
Originally Posted by Cangooner
thank you for your reply. For sure our paths never crossed. I'm new in the town.
Probably I'll hear your and RezDog's advice. Will go to the paddle with replacement option.Quote:
Originally Posted by kaptain_zero
I'm from south-east (Royal Wood)
Cheers!
Well then, welcome to my hometown! :)Quote:
Originally Posted by bekk
Hi and welcome. It's not as daunting as it seems when starting once you get going. Go slow and it will go fine. Any questions feel free to ask as you can tell plenty of help here
Welcome to the forum bekk. With so many members here from your part of the world, you should be able to meet up and get some one on one mentoring. That's invaluable. Good luck.
Hi Danny & welcome aboard. It sounds like you have been doing some research already. The SRD paddle strop is a good thing to go with, but if you already have a set coming, use the strop for now. You can always try the paddle strop later if you like. I have always wanted the Lynn Abrams paddle strop kit since it has all the necessary things needed to get started. Just take your time & be patient & you will be okay. Great to have you here & any questions, just ask.
Good luck my friend.
Thank you engine46.Quote:
Originally Posted by engine46
Yep. I've completed my research and shopping cart almost completed. Just couple of concerns. Maybe you or some experience member will guide me:
My shopping cart:
a. Ralf Aust 5/8" full hollow ground round points.
b. Modular Paddle (coming with 15 Carat .5 Diamond Spray)
c. Oil Strop Conditioner
(I got brush and soap already)
Please look at it, maybe I'm missing anything, that is very critical. All item will be ordered on SRD.
1. I understand, that after 7-10 shaves the blade have to be touched up on pasted strop or stone. I won't think to use a stone at the moment. Looks me too complicated. My question if I good to go with 15 Carat .5 Diamond Spray or should I use Chromium Oxide Paste .5 micron?
2. I'm maintaining some beard (goatee style) and it's looks me very challenging to trim edges with SR.
Any Idea?
I'll appreciate for any advice.
The R. A. 5/8 should be a nice razor. Getting it from SRD means it's ready to go and that's great.
Modular Paddle is nice, 0.5 diamond spray is nice too... should keep your razor in top shape for quite a while.
Oil Strop Conditioner..... Not sure what this is, your Paddle strop should not need any conditioner for the forseeable future, and if it does, neatsfoot oil is sufficient or perhaps Fromm strop dressing (I've got a bottle of it that will last longer than I'll be alive at this point).
I think you're good to go..... the aquistion dissorders will come soon enough, and being there are more than one of us in WInnipeg, we can always help each other out. I'm starting to think a meetup at some coffee shop once in a while, might be the way to go!?!??
As for the 7 - 10 shave touchup, it all depends on you, your beard and your desires/needs. Some can keep an edge going forever, others (I'm one) need to touch up the edge every few shaves as anything but fresh/sharp is a tad dull.... I don't "have to" touch the edge up that often, but I'm happiest with *my* shaves when the razor is fresh off the hones/pasted strop. If you keep the edge well stropped and only touch up when you need to, it should last for quite some time before needing a hone.
Note, I hesitate to give times as everyone is different. My beard grows thin but at a shallow angle.... with the grain, anything goes.... against the grain, unless wicked sharp, the blade comes to a screeching halt.
I will say though... I just got some diamond paste (0.5) and tried it out... Whoa, way faster than my Chrome Ox pasted strop... but then, I've not refreshed the Chrome Ox on my strop in several years, perhaps I should?
Diamond paste does not seem to make as smooth an edge as CrOx, but it's plenty good for me!
Your shopping cart is fine and you can skip the strop conditioner for now. Save your money as you will want a second razor if you stick with it. When you find your first razor isn't quite sharp enough, it's always nice to just grab the next one to finish the shave and keep you going until the first one gets tweaked back up to snuff. I tend to always take two razors with me when I shave... if the first one starts to pull, I just switch to the second, freshly honed/stropped razor and the first one gets tossed into the honing "pile".
Regards
Christian
Thank you Christian for so comprehensive reply.
No more doubts about "new lifestyle". Hopefully will succeed!!!
+1 to the advice from Christian above. And if you can, do take him up on the offer to meet up. I wish I had been able to get in-person advice from someone when I started down this road as I'm sure it would have saved quite a bit of frustration and more than a little bloodshed. :)
As for your trimming edges question, with time you'll probably find that the straight is *much* better than anything else for maintaining beard/goatee edges. But at first, make sure you don't rush into that until you are comfortable using the straight and have some muscle memory built up from using the thing. Trimming edges can sometimes demand some weird approach angles, so it probably isn't something you'll want to rush into. At least along the sides. For the bit under your chin, it should present less of a challenge as it's in an accessible location and shouldn't need any acrobatics or gymnastics to reach.
The advantage of the straight for trimming is that you have one blade and you can see exactly what that one blade will trim away.
Thank you Cangooner,Quote:
Originally Posted by Cangooner
Just was wondering, if it comfortable to shave along the beard edges with around point razor.
As with most everything with straight razors, this will be a qualified answer. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by bekk
Yes, it is comfortable and very effective *but* it is comfortable and effective once you get into the hang of it. Round points are great for starting out with because they are a little less likely to cut you. Square or spike points have a habit of taking a hard line on reminding you to pay attention. If you really drop your attention, a round point will certainly get your attention in a bad way, just as any straight razor will, but it will generally be more forgiving. Incidentally if you do get a square or spike point and find that the point is causing you grief, there are easy ways to mute the point, i.e. dull the very end of the edge without altering the shape of the blade.
EDIT: I realized after posting that if this was on Sesame Street, this post would have been brought to you by the word 'attention' :)
[emoji41] Got it, Cangooner!!!
I'll go gently, "low and slow" like pulled pork on my pellet smoker.
Pellet smoker? PELLET SMOKER?!?!?!:dropjaw:
Aw well, serves me right for buying all this shaving stuff.
I'll take Danny out and show him a few things......
Regards
Kaptain "Wait... maybe I can trade some junk....err... nice razors for that pelletsmoker" Zero :thinking:
I'm a bit late to join the party - welcome to the forum. This place helped me get started a few years ago! Lots of good people and good advice here!
Cheers,
Danm
Pellet smoker, could be your next project!! Trust me! :rock:Quote:
Originally Posted by kaptain_zero
I'll give you a taste of real country style BBQ.
Danm,Quote:
Originally Posted by Danm
Thank for you welcome.
Honestly, I was surprised how the other members willing to help and guide. Never expected that! So amazing!!!
Welcome to the forum
Thank you kalerof :beer1:Quote:
Originally Posted by kalerolf