Thread: Greetings from Michigan!

Hello all, stopping in to say hello, been lurking for a bit now, but may post a bit here and there.

Warning: I am not always succinct.

Wanted to get into straight razor shaving for awhile now - looking at some old emails, my wife tried picking up some items in time for our anniversary in the fall of 2006 but something was backordered, and she ended up getting me some goodies in the spring of '07.

Unfortunately, she didn't get everything I needed at the time, (like a shave ready razor for one, a strop for two...) and between a new job (apprenticeship), moving, onset of kids, a nice big ding in the blade within a year as well when it fell, and so on, the shaving just never happened.

I've had some sort of fur on my face with a clippered off to stubble approach for the rest for several years, but the razor and brush in the stand and nice monogrammed mug all collecting dust have been bugging me. So sometime about a month ago (maybe a bit longer) I figured it was time to correct that (also, Dad and the Christmas Amazon gift card may have helped).

Started trying to look up some knowledge - hmmm, *did not* find SRP right off, however. So, some mistakes have been made, which are pretty clear, but dogged perseverance appears to be finally triumphing

Started off with some hones and a strop. Got the King 250/1000, the 800/4000, the King Nagura and the Chicago 127 strop. Of the hones, the 250/1000 is narrow, the 250 side feels like concrete, and it's just not pleasant. The 1000 has a nice feel, as does the 800 on the other stone. The strop I took some 320 sandpaper to and rubbed in some neatsfoot oil a few times, and in all honesty I really like it (don't know much, but hey!).

Managed to get the chip ground away it seemed like, and started trying to get a decent edge on the razor. OH YEAH - the razor. A Dovo Stainless, with Olivewood handle (41 5875). With the 4000, it got to...ehhhh. Tried some shaves but it certainly seemed to be missing the wow factor.

Added a few more things, some were better than others Bought a really cheap strop pair plus some of the crox...the woodcraft stuff...yeah, so that 6 year old thread I hadn't seen yet might've warned me off...um whoops. That strop makes the 127 look REALLY good though! Sanded it down and ran some oil into it anyway, then smoothed out the back side as well before applying green stuff like cake frosting.

Also picked up the Japanese version of the Shapton ceramic 8K, because it was cheaper, and the DMT8C. Both of them, I likey. Finally flattened out my other hones, noticed the big fat frown in my blade as well, and generally did some more horrible things to it. Just think of bad newbie honing tricks gone wrong and you should have the idea. Had tried shaving after getting the 8K (well, already knew from the arm hair test) and it was a no-go.

So, today, I went back to the beginning, AGAIN - oh wait. Also, had a cheap 40/60 light up jeweler's loupe arrive today. Looking at the blade, had a slight frown again and mostly on one side, an odd bevel arrangement. Rather than multiple bevels stacked up, it was like one faded in midway down the blade and took over.

Anyway, threw on tape, went down to DMT, worked at it. Worked at it some more. AND SOME MORE. Then the 800...then some quality time with the 1000. And a bit more sweet cuddling time with the 1000. Was making my arms look diseased with the patches missing at this point. Off to the 4000 for a long romantic visit with some music playing while I let the kids run free and drive the wife crazy. Finally it was time to spend a bit of time at the 8K Shapton.

After that, I scraped scraped brushed brushed sanded sanded the el cheapo strop (with the pseudo crox on it) and gave it a little bit of time on there because I've been resigned to buying something shave ready at this point anyway. Then a good appreciative stretch on the linen, followed by a nice deep tissue massage, err good times on the 127.

Took a nice hot shower, got some soap lathered up, and time to see the truth of the matter:

HOLY, ERR, STUFF

IT WORKED

Still have yet to do a complete shave, but I consider this my first shave with anything even remotely shave ready. (Did cheeks, jawline - have a regular moustache/goatee - and some of the neck, face was wtg/atg.)

So I guess I'll stick with this thing!

Welcome, sounds like you took the long way to get here! We are glad to help out, this is a friendly group. We would like to see some pictures of the gear you talked about in your post
As for the shave, take it slow and don't be in a rush to do your whole face. Make sure you read all the beginner info and I would also watch some videos.
Have fun!

Originally Posted by Ernie1980

As for the shave, take it slow and don't be in a rush to do your whole face. Make sure you read all the beginner info and I would also watch some videos.
Have fun!

That part isn't a worry. Get around the neck and my eyes are O_O Will work on getting a picture of everything altogether here soon.

Have read a lot of the info...maybe late, but eventually. *sigh*

Hi and welcome. Sounds like you are on the right track. Would be good to get a truly shave ready razor for comparison and as a benchmark for your honing. Any questions feel free to ask

Classifieds normally have some nice shave ready vintages for good price. Welcome and enjoy. Library here is a great resource for finding the questions you want to ask.

Welcome to the SRP.
We are all here to help.
You can see where I am at.
Some times hands on face to face can cut way down on the learning curve.
We do have Michigan meets so you can get to know other guys who are in the same boat.
Oh and check out Maggards. They are in Adrian. Brad and his wife Casie are 2 of the nicest people you will meet.
They have a proper store with all you could ever want or need. Brad can and will give you hands on tips if you go there.
Wet shaving isnt speed shaving. Enjoy the shave. We are here to help get you to WOW shaves.
Jonathan

Thanks for the welcomes. Maybe I can get down to Maggard's this summer - up in the Detroit area (Farmington Hills). Need to head that way anyway.

Keeping an eye out for budget acquisitions - did just get a Pike strop/hone for $15 on eBay. That will be going in the travel kit after I clean it up.

-glen

Welcome to SRP!

I would get that dovo honed by a guy that knows how to do it and practice honing some e-bay razors you can pick up cheap. Sounds like your in it for the "do it yourself " factor which many of us understand very well. But get to shaving with a proper edge so you know what your goal is. Honing is 1 thing and taking out frowns and fixing wacky bevels is another. Keeping a nice edge by properly stropping is a challenge in itself in the beginning :<0) Not trying to discourage you , just saying.

Jerry <<< transplanted from Ann Arbor/South Lyon

Originally Posted by psiu

Thanks for the welcomes. Maybe I can get down to Maggard's this summer - up in the Detroit area (Farmington Hills). Need to head that way anyway.

Keeping an eye out for budget acquisitions - did just get a Pike strop/hone for $15 on eBay. That will be going in the travel kit after I clean it up.

-glen

There is a little shop on Grand River called Shaver and Time. They professionally hone razors for $20. Look them up . Drop it off pick it up in a week.
Its right on the boundary of Farmington Hills down from Providence Hospital