Thread: Hello

Originally Posted by Srdjan

Get some Barbicide you're going to need it. There's really no test like the shave test, I'm afraid.

Is that sufficient for avoiding cross contamination? Barbers I've spoken here to have said that it is sterilizing the strop rather than the razor that is the problem (and the reason only replaceable blades are now used here) so maybe I'm just being over-cautious. But I have to be 100% confident.

I saw there's a sub-forum for this, so if it's inappropriate here tell me and I'll take the post down but ...

I PM'ed a veteran member to ask if he could offer me "A full honing setup" as per the post in the library. It's what I will need, regardless of how long it takes me to acquire the skill to use it.

If there's anyone that would like to get in on that, don't be shy. There is money that is going to *have* to be spent (sob) ... and I'd much rather spend it with you helpful and friendly people than Amazon etc.

Stuff will need to be posted to the UK, so factor that in please if you offer a quote.

Originally Posted by mitnageek

Is that sufficient for avoiding cross contamination? Barbers I've spoken here to have said that it is sterilizing the strop rather than the razor that is the problem (and the reason only replaceable blades are now used here) so maybe I'm just being over-cautious. But I have to be 100% confident.

I don't know whether that's a real concern or not, but if you want a way to kill possible bacteria without possibly spoiling the leather with chemicals a cheap UV setup should be possible. It probably requires a specific wavelength, so I dunno if your run of the mill black light would work or not.

Good thinking. Thanks

The strop is of no concern.

Give the blade a 10 minute soak in fresh barbicide, hone, test shave and then give it another 10 minute soak before returning the blade to your customer.

Welcome to the forum.

either test shave or never know if its a smooth shave ready edge, there is no compromise. and most guys who shave with one will not be happy with a face scraper. knife sharpening doesn't rely on saving your face from a poor hone job, sharp is sharp , but smooth and sharp must be learned and that starts with you knowing how to shave yourself. then you may be able to hone one with success,but you really wont know till you can shave well with a straight. Tc

Thanks to each of you for those well thought out replies.

So, it is:
1. Buy razor (etc)
2. Learn to shave
3. Learn to strop
3a. Repair face
4. Learn to hone
4a. Repair face, replace ruined razor
5. Quite a lot more shaving
6. Consider honing for others

This is going to be FUN

Ha ha! Watch the strop and the blade while you're flipping it during stropping, otherwise include the step 3b - Repair nicked strop

Honestly, 3+ years into honing and having honed more blades than I can remember, I still only hone for friends and rarely ever offer honing services for cash. It's not the the skill or the equipment that I doubt, but let's face it, people will send you questionable blades, which may not ever take a shaving edge. Dealing with that sort of thing is more hassle than it's worth. You can't imagine the amount of junk being passed around and people think if it's $10, or £10 and it's shaped like a razor, than it must be able to shave.... so you need to be able to judge a blade as well, before committing to service. If you get to see it in person, perhaps do few strokes on a good stone before you accept or reject it, than that's a good situation. Dealing with orders sent via post may get more tricky.

Srdjan. Good advice. Thanks. I'll add "step 6. Learn to say no"