Ahoy from Beautiful Front Royal, Virginia!

[SmoothOperator22630]

I've been wet-shaving with a double-edged safety razor for six years, but I'd like to make the jump. Trouble is, I've had a bear of a time sharpening the straight razor I received as a gift. Anyone else out there in the greater Front Royal area who could help me out in person?

[petercp4e]

Hello and welcome to SRP.
If you are a beginner with a straight razor, you would be wise to send your razor to a professional honemeister and concentrate your efforts on learning to shave with a straight. Trying to hone first is like putting the cart before the horse. Learning to hone a razor to shave ready takes a lot of practice, time, and a fair amount of money to set yourself up with the proper stones and equipment.
Learning how to shave and how to properly strop a razor is of utmost importance in the beginning.
Any one on one help that you can get is valuable and should be taken advantage of.
Enjoy the learning and your time here on the forum.

Pete <:-}

[SmoothOperator22630]

Thanks, Pete. Do you know any honemeisters in Virginia or know a good online directory?

[petercp4e]

I don't know of any in Virginia, but maybe someone will chime in.

One of the best is in Staten Island, N.Y. His forum name is Bayamontate. Nelson Gutierrez is his name.
You could look him up under Community/ Member list and P.M. him. His edges are spectacular.

Other options include our founder Lynn @ Straight Razor Designs ; Glen @ Gemstar customs. He is listed under Vendor Services.

Any way that you look at it, great options are as close as your mailbox. I also do honing and would be glad to hone your razor for free the first time, just pay shipping costs. P.M. me if interested.

The key to successful straight razor shaving is a great edge which I'm sure you'll find soon.

Good luck,

Pete <:-}

[RezDog]

Welcome to the forum.
It can be a tough row to hoe trying to learn to shave and hone at the same time. Generally people learn to shave and strop then if they want to they pick up honing later. I think the very best place to learn is at a meet, however one on one is very workable if you have the option.

[Gasman]

I second and third and... What everyone has said. If you want to pay someone to hone it then go with one of the options given above. Or take advantage of a fine member who is willing to do it for you at no charge. We have a great group of folks here and people do there best to help you when they can. Pete has a good heart and helps folks out. Has even helped me.

And as Rez says, Learn to shave and strop first! Learning to hone is something that takes many many hours. Practice and a bunch of stones. Well, a few hones to learn on. I'd recommend buying a second razor off the B.S.T. thread so you have two razors. As you will ware out the edge on one razor fast sense you dont have the shaving process down just yet. You can then send one off for honing and shave with the fresh edged razor.

Whatever you choose, welcome to SRP.
Ask questions, Read the library here and get read for a long SLOW trip in Straight Razor Shaving! Take your time and easy goes it. Takes time to learn and in the end you will wonder why you waited so long to try shaving with a straight.

[SmoothOperator22630]

Thanks, ya'll!!

@petercp4e, I'll PM you.

A meet, eh? Any idea where I might find times and locations in my area?

[petercp4e]

Scroll down the main forum page to The Parlour section. You will find a section of General Discussions that has a sub section for gatherings and meetups.
Usually everything that's going on with the meetup scene is posted there.
It might be a waiting game, but eventually something will come up that's somewhat close.

Pete <:-}

[randydance062449]

I searched the SRP member database for members with a location of "VA" ...
Here is a link
http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...rt=posts&pp=50

and for a location of "Virginia"

http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...rt=posts&pp=50

[Raol]

prodigy Kyle Codoley I believe is in Virginia