Thread: New to straight razor shaving!

Hey everyone,
i recently decided to switch over to straight razors i bought myself a 5/8 dovo. i haven't tried shaving with it yet because i'm pretty sure it isn't shave ready. i would try sharpening it myself, but i don't have a hone and, from what i've heard, i'd most likely damage the blade. so i have a few questions: where can i get my razor professionally sharpened? i live in vancouver, if that helps. what should i be looking for in a hone and where can i actually find one? and how can i learn to properly use the hone? thanks for your help!
Geoff

Originally Posted by geoffrey546

Hey everyone,
i recently decided to switch over to straight razors i bought myself a 5/8 dovo. i haven't tried shaving with it yet because i'm pretty sure it isn't shave ready. i would try sharpening it myself, but i don't have a hone and, from what i've heard, i'd most likely damage the blade. so i have a few questions: where can i get my razor professionally sharpened? i live in vancouver, if that helps. what should i be looking for in a hone and where can i actually find one? and how can i learn to properly use the hone? thanks for your help!
Geoff

talk to glen at gem star customs he is on your side of the mississippi.

Welcome to SRP. I'm not sure who is in your area for honing. Here is the member services in the classifieds with guys who hone. IIRC member Floopyshoes is in Canada and he hones for hire I think. Maybe others in your neck of the woods.

Here is the SRP Wiki with the beginner's guide, instruction on your first straight razor shave by SRP founder Lynn Abrams and much more. Keep asking questions as they come and SRP members will help all they can.

Hey Geoff, and Welcome!

On a hone, there are a number of ways to hone up a blade but most methods involve going from lower grit (usually 1000 sometimes 500 grit) to higher grit hones (any where from 8k to 30K!)

You might start with a pasted paddle strop and touch up your blade that way as you read up and learn about honing.

Getting your blade Pro-Honed is a good first step as it shows you what you are looking for in a finished edge.

Good Luck!

-Rob

Welcome to SRP, you will soon learn (if you don't know already) that the guys here are awesome resources for both knowledge and for their skills. This forum really is unlike any other I've seen. Follow the links Jimmy posted and you'll be set.

They had your question covered so I just wanted say hi and make you feel welcome.

Cheers

Dave

Welcome to SRP. I am not sure who would be best to send your razor to for sharpening but I do know that shipping from US to Canada takes a few weeks. Check the classified section on the menu bar above to see if anyone from your area offers honing services.

Good luck.