Thread: Hi from Florida

I am a 71 year old man who is about to foray into straight razor shaving. probably 5 or more years ago I switched from Mach5s to DE shaving with a Gillette Slim and Feather blades. I was very tempted at that time to try straight razors but was overwhelmed with the choices and decisions.


So here I am again on the verge of getting a straight razor and all that entails. I feel somewhat more confident as I discovered the classifieds here at SRP and am considering several of the razors for sale there. Such as these:


Joseph Allen&sons NON XLL Sheffield 6/8


George Wostenholm & Sons Celebrated IXL Frame Back


Croghan Cutlery 5/8" Barbers Notch


My biggest concern is making a poor choice and not being able to learn how to sharpen these razors properly, but I assume through the tutorials available one can master these skills.


Terry

Second thoughts a few hours later. As I continue to study straight razors I am beginning to remember why I passed the first time. The issues with honing and sharpening these are pretty significant. For instance I watched a video using the Norton wetstone combination 4000/8000 grit which seemed to be the way to go for an individual. But then I kept reading reviews stating issues with the flatness of these stones out of the box and having to resurface them which sounded like quite a project.

So It would seem one could easily end up needing $200 minimum of honing stones and diamond pastes and similar items and strops for maintaining the edge on the straight razor.

I don't know. My $26 slim and 25 cent Feather blades are sounding better and better. Also I get the impression I shouldn't expect that much of an improvement in shaves.

I have learned one thing over time, it doesn't pay to take shortcuts or buy cheap tools. Another words either get good equipment or just pass if it is an option of which straight razor shaving is certainly an option. It is amazing how we can get things into our minds that we think we can't live without and then become a slave to maintaining them and using them.

All good razors...
Honing does take time, but you can always send one out to be honed by a pro, being you should have at least two.
Glad to have you aboard as well.

Good luck on your journey. I would send out the razor for honing. Explore the SRP library and other files it's loaded with good info. I prefer a 6/8 I like a little weight. Based on condition of the blade these razors will all give you a good shave.

Terry
Where in Florida are you? I am in Pompano Beach. Maybe there is someone near you that can mentor you.
Leonard

Hi and welcome. A honing mentor would be the best bet just by taking all the guess work out. Good luck and any questions feel free to ask

I live in Lake Placid near Sebring.

Hi all,
I live in Melbourne , Fl

Don't worry about honing yet just learn how to strop and shave , too many things on you plate and you spend too much time getting good with the razor , after you learn the stropping and how to shave you won't need to hone but rarely. Buy something from the classifieds here and it will be shave ready if sold that way. Then hook up with a mentor or send it out when it needs work , saves you a lot of money in the beginning, I've been shaving with a straight for 2 1/2 years every day , I still don't hone and I,m doing fine just send them out and what do you knife they come back with as good an edge as you want and it last for months.
It all depends what your doing , shaving or restoring? Tc

Forgot to mention that lee sells a very good shaving cdthat you might want to invest in.
Good luck.

I think I am going to take tcrideshd's advice. I am trying to get the cart before the horse. Think I will buy one of these razors and a strop and see if an old geezer like me can shave with a straight razor. Terry