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I’m new to this straight razor business and I’m just getting honing stones etc. Not got razor yet, I’ve ordered a gold dollar #66 and I’ve bought a Kabrand 405 to try. The stones I have bought are Welsh slate with slurry stones. In addition I have two set of faithful diamond plates. That’s what I have and what is yet to arrive.
Best regards
Paul
cart before the horse my friend, first let soemone hone for you till you know what a razor edge is to be. after that get a couple more beaters( gold dollars) and give it a whirl, learning to shave and strop is where you should concentrate till you can do those 2, right now honing is like the last thing on the list to learn behind,1. shave with the things. 2. strop, the most important thing to learn. 3, to build a decent lather. 4. do all these items well before honing, cause if you cant do those you really dont know if the razor is honed well, like you purchase razor,, its not ready for shaving much less learning. but your in the right place. except we dont know where your from so we cant get you the right help. so far no one has been assassinated for giving up their location. and hell im in witness protection for attempted , well i cant say Tc
Some pretty good advise from an Airborne Ranger. Start with the basics first. Honing is the last and hardest skill to learn. Many other things to learn along the way as TC points out. It's all good and we have all been there.
Hello from SE Washington State.
I don't want to seem to be 'Piling On' but it's true--the VERY LAST THING you need to worry about is honing.
While Gold Dollars are cheap---that's the problem--they are cheap. Send me a PM and I'll send you a shave ready vintage razor N/C. It won't be anything fancy but it will get you out of the starting gate. You will need to find a decent strop.
The most important piece of 'Equipment' that you need to learn this age old art is one that can't be purchased. And that equipment is 'Patience' if you don't have patience, you will fail. I for one don't want to see that happen.
Boy, these guys are laying it out straight for ya. Please take it to heart or you may be just waisting your time.
Good on you Roy!
Take Cuddarunner up on his offer. A real shave ready vintage razor is what is needed to learn this way of shaving. A GD is not! It will shave you but not for long. They are good to have to help learn honing but you are a long ways away from honing.
Go eazy and slow and ask queztions. Welcome to srp and be sure to check out our library as its full of good info for new guys.
I agree with the above.
1. Beard prep
2. Shaving technique
3 .Properly stropped razor.
Honing is last.
Hi Paul,
I hope you enjoyed Guy Fawkes night.
Your in Chesterfield?
I live in Canada but l’m from Bournemouth originally (UK for those that are wondering).
I haven’t been straight shaving for long so any advice I can offer would be very limited but as a bit of a newbie still I will say.
It would be difficult to sharpen a razor if you don’t know what a truly sharp one feels like to shave with because you wouldn’t have any thing to compare your honing with.
That’s all I can say on that subject because I haven’t tried to do it. I mentioned that I would be interested in trying and got advised not to try in all caps, even got some red ink! :rofl2:
When you get sent your shave ready razor don’t be too surprised if you cut yourself the first few times, it will get easier if you persevere. I bled a lot and quite frightened myself but I’m 22 shaves in and haven’t cut myself properly for quite a while.
Ask loads of questions, no one made me feel stupid.
If you are having a real problem, make a video, I did and the advice I got really helped me.
Lastly, take Cudarunner up on his very generous offer. Outback did the same and sent me three razors. The guys here are so generous and really do want new shavers to succeed.
Just remember how you were helped and given a razor to get started on your journey. When your an experienced shaver with a decent collection of razors, maybe you will consider paying it forward to help another newbie. I promised Outback that I will and fully intend to.
Steve
All good advice. Folks here genuinely want to help. My path back to straights was a bit rocky, would have been smoother if I'd found this site sooner. I've been working on my honing for close to a year and am just starting to feel like I'm getting decent edges. Still working on some shaving skills, but I only use a straight on weekends so my reps are a bit low.
Welcome to the forum.
Can't add much except to say welcome to the forum and enjoy your time here.
Bob
Seems you need no more lashing at the post, so I’ll just welcome you to the forum! :p
Hi and welcome aboard. You can find every answer you'll need here and if not ask and someone will help. Will save a lot of frustration as a beginner. Best tip I got was shave the lather. Keep it light and go slow. Good luck
Welcome aboard, Paul. One thing I might add, nothing wrong with the Welsh, but for someone who is new to honing razors, and is going to buy hones anyway, buy the Naniwa hones. At least an 8&12k, for doing touchups.
But I'd still recommend attending a meet-up with someone who is a seasoned honer. Or go to a get-together where there are several guys honing together.
Again.... Posting your location would be a big help to yourself. One of us might just live next door, or down the street from you.
You can always practice stroppin on a old leather belt, with a butter knife. It'll help build your muscle memory, an keep you from slicing up an expensive strop. And you will.! We all have.!!
Embrace the shakes, on your first shave. You'll never forget them, and gives you something to laugh about, down the road once you become proficient.
Like riding a bike...we all fall, but do you have the courage to get back on and peddle some more.
Hi, welcome :)
I will second the Naniwa stones. Best stones for someone new to honing. If your going to hone anyways, at least learn on synthetics.
Glad you made it over here Paul
You are going to find that there is a lot less static here than on the FB page..
Plus there are so many threads and sources of Proved Material on the forum that people will gladly link for you
Again Jamie aka Celtic Crusader on here would be a great person to reach out to on your side of the pond and there are others on here too
Ask many questions, and have fun
I’ve already bought the slate stones but in time I will replace them ��
My location is in my basic information,so people can see where I live
Well, your not down the street but we have great folks on your side of the pond too. Jamie is top notch in my book. Enjoy your time with us and jump right in. :tu
There is a HUGE thread about them from years ago before all the BS grit numbers started :rofl2: these are the same stones you have disregard the grit number differencesQuote:
Originally Posted by Paulfletcher
https://sharprazorpalace.com/hones/8...huringian.html
There are a few more on here too Search "Welsh Slate"
There are many reviews from people that have actually used them, and some tips and tricks on how to get the most out of them..
The only real hole I see in your honing bag is for a 1k Bevel setter.
You might read more about them here
https://sharprazorpalace.com/hones/6...l-setting.html
I have a diamond plate 400/1000 grit for setting up the bevel
Yes, I saw that..Quote:
Originally Posted by Paulfletcher
Diamond plates are really good for Restoration work, and they must be used a special way even then, so you don't impart deep scratches into the bevel, but as an actual bevel setter they are pretty harsh and leave striations that go deep into the steel,. This leads to a weaker, fragile, harsh shaving edge..
There are a couple of these threads around on here
But this might help explain just how important a really good bevel set is to a comfortable edge..
https://sharprazorpalace.com/honing/...-1k-shave.html
Keeping in mind that getting a sharp edge is easy, but getting a sharp edge that is also comfortable on the face takes a little talent :p