Thread: new an tech impaired

Been scrapin my face clean with my dads old razor for almost a year now, I sure like it, that being said I don't think I've ever really shaved with a sharp straight. My dad never got honing down so he couldn't teach me. One look at his stones made it pretty clear what his problem was. I think they were his granddads and they are rough. I could sure use some help buying a good stone set and stropp, which is what brings me here. I want to learn to hone my own but I'm not to proud to send my razor to a pro for the first couple times, if only to find out what a sharp razor feels like. The problem I'm up against is my lack of Computron savvy. I'm a blacksmith an if it don't move with a hammer I'm lost, so if I make any obvious mistakes please feel free to correct me. I'm gonna spend some time poking around here lookin for pointers, any help or encouragement is welcome. Thanks for setting this up for us new guys

Welcome rowdyripley. First, please adjust your bio to show where you are. That can help us and you find members, mentors and mods that are near you and can help you on your learning curve. Don't worry about being to proud on the honing. We never suggest and tell a new member that they must learn to hone their own. That is the last thing in the basic learning curve to worry about. It is not like honing knives or tools. It starts where the others leave off. A truly shave ready razor is like nothing else you have ever experienced.
First on your agenda is getting a decent razor and inexpensive strop (cause you'll probably cut the first one to shreds learning to strop a razor properly.) The SRP classifieds or SRD is a good place to look in you want a shave ready razor. The classifieds for a decent vintage, usually under a $100. SRD for a new razor. They do a sets for the beginners to contemplate. Getting a decent lather built, understanding your beard growth pattern and proper stropping technique is enough to occupy you for quite a few months. Down the road razor maintenance and honing can be attended to. In the meantime read in the Library, watch the videos and ask a lot of questions. There is no such thing as a stupid question. We never get tired of answering basic questions because it just reminds us of what is essential to good shaving.

Welcome! Most people are probably going to tell you to go ahead and get the basics down before learning how to hone your razor. I been using a straight for a year and a half and I still send my straight out to get honed. On the other hand you will definitely need a good strop. Do your research on here ask lots of questions and you will find everything you need to get a great strop. Personally I couldn't use a straight edge razor that hadn't been sharpened in a year. Just thinking about it gives me major razor burn as well as lots of cuts and stratches. You need to send that razor out to be honed! If it's your dads and it's a heirloom razor, you might want to post some pictures of it on here so people can see what kind of shape it's in and tell you exactly what you need. I'm sure others will fill in what I missed. Good luck!

Greg

Greg

Welcome to the forum. This is the first forum I ever joined and it did take me a little while to figure out how to post pictures and respond with quotes and all the other things that the tech savvy find easy. It is not so difficult that i could not figure it out. Also you can ask specific tech questions and get pretty good step by step answers. Some of the more savvy even post with screen shots. Getting your blade up to par and a decent strop should be the first step. also the whole location thing can be important when trying to find or give help. There are a lot of meets all over the place and they are they greatest place to learn. I'm certain you will not find it too difficult here.

Welcome. Before you do anything else, especially buy any kit, I would suggest that you read Straight Razor Place Library:Books/Beginners Guide - Straight Razor Place Library and Straight Razor Magazine: Buying shaving equipment. I am quite sure you will find that the advice given in the two articles will save you time, money, and bloodshed.

Like others have said, please set your location. Someone local to you might be able to give you some one on one help.

A pro honing and a strop would be the best places to start. After that a barber hone or finishing stone should see you shaving a fair while before you need worry about stones and honing progressions or setting a bevel which will give you plenty of time to do the research and learn about what needs to ne done while just getting your shaves right. Good luck and any questions feel free to ask.

Howdy rowdy! Lol I kill me, anyway everyone is new at something at least once so remember there is never a stupid question only stupid answers. So far my experience on this forum has been wonderful, very helpful and friendly people willing to share knowledge and not horde it ! Best of luck to you : )

Howdy Rowdy, you made it to the right place to learn, Please, take your time at least for the first two months Before you go out to buy all the things that you think you will need, it WILL pay off in savings because you will get insight to what you really can use and be comfortable with, unless you have a fat bank account, then go for it.
Glad to have you here, some of us, quite a few like to beat on hot steel, some make fantastic Razors besides knives. Enjoy yourself.

I'm trying to fill in my bio but I can't seem to get it to work, all I get when I go there is a blank screen, its probably my technoineptitude showing. I also can't view any of yours. I'm currently in southern Utah, I work in wilderness therapy and weld and smith for fun. I've been to almost every barber within 50 miles looking for someone who knows razors and got blank expressions. It would be cool if I could find someone local or even in my state who hones.