Thread: Lost on a stormy sea without a paddle or compass

I have absolutely no idea if I am getting this right. I received a helper today to calm the sea a bit. Please excuse me if I am in the wrong sea. I am 71 and have been using a straight razor for 20 years plus, maybe 30, I cannot recall exactly, but I believe I was in my early thirties when I began. I am retired from a 35 year stint in education; Masters in learning disabilities.
I am interested in engagement of dialogue. I am not here to argue any points. I only attempt to give my thoughts on matters of interest.
Currently my cursor is not working well, have to double strike keys to get a word out.
I own no new razors. All of mine have come from antique dealers. When I visit razor sites they are far outside my pocket, ergo the reason for antiques. I run seven to ten razors, so sharpening is limited. The reason being is that I have a beard, so I don't have much acreage to cover. I grew my beard just after the Viet Nam Era Conflict. I went to a straight razor because of the cost of safety razors, especially today. I guess that will be it for now. Glock27 out.

Welcome ot SRP.

Jonathan

Sent from my LGL34C using Tapatalk

Thanks. For some reason there appears to be slots on this site that will not permit me to type at my normal rate. At the moment the cursor is acting normal to your welcome. I have spent some hours here trying to figure things out, but it is like being lost on a stormy sea without a paddle or compass. If you see this, then I screwed up and couldn't find the introduction slot. I would blabber some more but with the antiquity of my physique I must close.
Respectfully,\Glock27

Hi glock27.

SRP really is a great forum, their are many extremely knowledgeable and helpful members.
Hopefully we can help you find a way in finding your sea legs.
I haven't read all your posts so please excuse me if you already have done so but I would start off by reading everything in the library (just under the SRP logo, top left hand) It contains everything you should need to help you on your way if you need it.
You have been using a straight razor for a long time so hopefully you can also share your knowledge and experience too.

Mark

Hi Mark, thank you for the warm welcome. I come here to pique my interest and social life. I am 71 with a lot of physical complaints. All the things I enjoyed doing in the past seem to all be at the bottom of the sea or gnashed up by bottom feeders. I use to hunt, tree stand up around 30 feet where the view is clear and my stink stays above a deer's nose. Unfortunately in forty years I can account for two bucks and one doe. I used a compound bow. Have never taken anything with a riffle except squirrel.
I can't tell you how long I have been using a straight razor. I have been guessing up to thirty years, but recasting my line it may be forty years. My first straight razor was purchased at an antique show. The blade was an old, nasty Hollow Ground Manufactured by Wade&Butcher, Sheffield. On the blade is enscribed "The Celebrated Hollow Ground Razor and under this is a circle with a Capital B in it, and arrow pointing toward the heel with four diamond shapes and points connected. I don't use the blade much because the scales are absent. They turned into a piece of crap. Have contemplated making my own, but it is in rough shape. The back is ground down that the original edge has diasppered. I will make a wild guess that it originally belonged to a barber. The blade has a lot of stain on it, but it had always been my most favorite to use because it would sharpen up quite easily. I only have eight razors.
In sharpening I originally used Japanese stones, four of them up to 8000 grit. I changed to Arkansas stones of which there are four.
Yesterday on line I read an article by a Juranitich who uses Arkansas'. I always used oil on my stones but he advised against it and said clean the oil off and use the stones clean. I found it in images of straight razor blades under microscopic views. I am going to give it a try and see if it helps bring the edge sharper than what I currently have.
I am blabbering so I shall stop.
Respectfully,
Glock27
(Tom)

Hey glock. Glad to meet you. Some of this stuff can be frustrating but fun at the same time. I have read that article too from Juranitch and have tried it out with mixed success. Sometimes I still will use my finisher dry and have had good results without any drawbacks. I have also tried with many lubricants too. I didn't notice much in the way of a better edge but I like the feedback better on my translucent and hard when they are dry. That's just me. For steel removal I use glycerin so the stones don't glaze over. That's just me and what I have found works and the way I like to do it. I have been using nothing but arks for quite a while now on my razors (knives all my life)so Although some will disagree with my techniques I have put the time in and found what works for me-not everyone- but me.

Awesome Tom and again Welcome

You found exactly the right place to introduce yourself and ask questions..

As you get better acquainted with the site navigation will become easier

Steel: Thank you for that information. How long have I been using a straight razor. Honestly I have been guessing. I served in the Air Force during the Viet Nam Era Conflict. It might have been a few years after my release, eight at most when I bought the old, very rough Wade & Butcher. It is so rough that I would venture a guess that the blade must have belonged to a barber. Out of the eight or nine blades I have it seems to continue to be the sharpest of the bunch, but I have not used it in years because the scales are now missing. Have contemplated making a pair, but seem to be too lazy, mostly because I have chronic osteoarthritis which keeps me in discomfort and pain 24/7.
On your note of oil or no I guess I will give it a go and see for myself. With the accumulation of time on my frame I am not as eager and passionate as I once was. I have a set of four Japanese stones (220/1000/4000 and 8000 along with a Chinese 50,000). I don't use these too frequently because of the waiting period for them to soak properly before use. There are two other stones a "FRANZSWATY'" which I know nothing about, but have used. It is a Milk Chocolate color. The other, which I know nothing about is a "Pike KRYSTOLO". It is cream colored and wood boxed with instructions. They proclaim five strokes should be good enough. Hm-m-m. I guess that is about it. I could go on, but my antique frame of mind just won't stay focused. Need to finish washing the car, cleaning up the spots I missed earlier today.
Respectfully,
Glock27
(Tom)

These forum sites require a learning curve almost as much as straight shaving! I wouldn't be too down on yourself, I'm a few decades your junior and still get befuddled technology wise. I just try not to break anything...

Nice to meet you Tom,

If I may, you sound just like my old man, bright as a button but he cant do the things he could a few years ago, although active a his body wont allow him to do the things he once did. Im but a mere pup at 36 years and if Im not working or looking after my two young uns Im learning and enjoying everything to do with straight razors. As I said SRP really is a great site even when conversations get a bit heated, opinions are like arseholes, everyone has one.

It might be worth looking in the restoration section of the forum, there is loads of information on making new scales so you can get your Wade and Butcher back up and running properly.

Ive only just started using natural hones, a Nakayama Kitta, so Im not much help with your Arkansas as Ive always used synthetics because of there consistancy, but as you can see, if someone can't help there's always others, like Steels post, that can.

Mark