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.