Thread: Hello, a newbie here to learn

Hi folks,

Just dropping a quick note to say hello and say thank you for allowing me to join the forum. My name is Josh, in my late 30s, and an average Joe with an 8 to 5 and a growing family

I'm a complete greenhorn to straight razors, and am eager to learn and get started.

I have a few years under my belt free hand sharpening knives (kitchen, EDC, outdoor, etc.) and have gotten in the rabbit hole with my abrasives from various synthetics to JNATs. I figured I'll try to get more use out of them by getting into straight razors (and as a result, at least try to get a nice and clean shave on the weekends).

I was reading through some threads last night on razors for beginners, so based on that, I'm looking for a 6/8, round point, and ready to shave razor from BST. I found one last night, PM'd the gentleman, and waiting for a response.

One question I had off the top is does one have to use the classic belt type strops? or will strops mounted on flat wood, glass, etc. board work as well? I have several kangaroo leather strops that I've made for myself with and without CBN compounds from 2 micron down to sub 0.1 micron. Wondering whether folks here use a similar setup and whether it's acceptable. Would greatly appreciate any guidance. Thank you!

Josh

Hello Josh and welcome to SRP.
Looks like you have found the straight razor rabbit hole.
When I first started years ago I stropped on newspaper on a flat counter until I bought my first strop.
Do a little homework and figure out what is right for you.
Enjoy your time here on the forum and have fun.

Pete <:-}

Thank you very much Pete! I love learning about new things (especially when it comes to tools and cutting things ^_^), so hoping I'll fit right in here. Great anecdote about using the newspaper. That's actually how I first stropped my knives, with some newspaper over my first synthetic stone that was a 1k/6k combo. I've learned to enjoy the fancier abrasives, but haven't forgotten that you can get a lot done with a lone (or two) hone

Welcome. Sounds like you are well on your way with hones and stropping equipment.

A warning - honing a straight razor is very different from sharpening a knife. I suggest you read about honing in the Library and take a long look at the honing videos by Lynn Abrams, gssixgun and Dr. Matt. They are well respected honemeisters and show a lot of detail and explain things using plain language.

Personally, I would start with a bench strop or paddle strop. You can get them in 3” width and not have to worry about the X-strokes right away. Focus on stropping an already well honed razor before honing one yourself. Any razor you buy from BST here should be shave ready. A lot of members suggest starting with two razors so you aren’t without one if you have to send it off to be honed.

Welcome again and look out for the acquisition rabbit holes. They are deep and we have all fallen down one or two or three. Have fun!

Thank you David! yeah, assumed I'll need to get schooled a bit on honing and stropping razors as they are a bit different from that of knives. (and did also read that beginners should start by stropping on ready to shave razors and get to the honing later in the learning curve). Thank you for pointing out the videos to watch, I'll be sure to check them out!

Haha, yes, my plan is to be cautious about the acquisition syndrome and not let it get out of hand (so I tell myself now....)

Welcome to SRP!!!!

You came to the right pace for sure. Sounds like you're off to a great start
Now may I suggest getting 2 razors. Then when you mess one up, which happend/s to all of us, you have one that is still shave ready. And the acquisition syndrome is something most of us suffer from, no worries we have meetings for it

Check out the LIBRARY there is tons of great info in there. You can get lost for hours and days there

Most of all......Enjoy and have fun!!!!

Welcome to SRP!
Yes you can use a bench strop instead of a hanging strop.
6/8 razor works well, so does a 5/8 and is easier to find. Definitely start with a round tip, your ears and nose will thank you.

Welcome! I think you’ll really enjoy shaving with a straight razor! But don’t forget to consider the other stuff. Know that a well lathered quality soap, can allow for a more poorly executed shave. Lol! Good luck!

Welcome Josh. Read the library. Most of your questions will be answered there. If not the gents will be glad to help.

Thank you! Two razor approach makes sense to me, you won’t have to tell me twice to get “backups”

Thank you for the tip on reading through the Library!

Originally Posted by Dieseld

Welcome to SRP!!!!

You came to the right pace for sure. Sounds like you're off to a great start
Now may I suggest getting 2 razors. Then when you mess one up, which happend/s to all of us, you have one that is still shave ready. And the acquisition syndrome is something most of us suffer from, no worries we have meetings for it

Check out the LIBRARY there is tons of great info in there. You can get lost for hours and days there

Most of all......Enjoy and have fun!!!!