Hello from Chicago, IL!!!

Hi everyone!!

I am a fresh one here and with mistake already. I have been on this site for two weeks, and I am just overloaded with all the info here! I have begun my reading of the wikis and beginners guide, fyi. I am following the advice here, after making the mistake of buying a razor on ebay first. Sorry, I thought this would be easy to transition to, but I am set straight, this is going to be fun, though. Right now I am just trying to see if anything of what I have done is slavagable.

I Bought a "Crystal Junior" from ebay it says, "J. Lang & Co. Baltimore, MD Made in Germany" on the opposite side. I have little to no knowledge of how good this razor will be, but I can tell the pin that hold the blade has been replace due to some hammering of it. Everything else looks original. My concern is the blade itself. It has some kind of staining on it, black coloration, that I think can be buffed out. And the edge itself, looks to be pretty sharp, but I can tell that there are some very minor dings in it (5 from what my eye can count). I know this means that once I get all the soaps and brush and strop this blade will probably cut me due to these little imperfections on the cutting edge. Thus my query:

Does any senior member of the site live near Chicago so I can get this blade inspected to see if it is a good starter blade and to get it shave ready?
I will be honest I am a hands-on/visual learner and I would appreciate any mentorship possible. I will try and post some pictures of the blade as soon as I get my camera. Thank you!

A little about me: I am 27 yrs-old. Working as a banker at a retail location on the south side of Chicago. Grew up on the south side my whole life. I know very little about baseball, sad I know, and have always wanted a good shave that would not kill my face ever since I started shaving at 13. I like to snowboard, eventhough I have done it only once a year for the past 4 years. I have never taken a golf lesson, but I have made contact with the ball all the time for the past 3 years, it just goes where it pleases.

I can't wait to get this right. Expert honing and shaving will be my goals.

Thank you all for your time, from this newbbie to you!

Regards,

Lokipuck

Welcome to SRP, Lokipuck! It sounds like you're on the right track.

I think we have some members from the Chicago area, but we'll have to wait and see who chimes in. As for whether or not the razor you bought is useable/ restorable some good pictures would be very helpful.

I look forward to seeing you around the forum! Let any of us know if we can help you!

Welcome to SRP and good luck with your razor. If the blade is full with little or no hone wear it may not have been a mistake. Have to see what the chips you mention look like. Many times they can be honed out. As soon as you post the good photos someone will be able to tell you. If you go to the toolbar above you'll find the "community" tab. There is a member map in the drop down menu of that tab where you'll be able to see if you have some members in the Chicago area. :gl:

Hello Lokipuck:

Welcome to Straight Razor Place.

Yes, pictures do help to identify your razor. With the cast of experts at SRP, you'll have your answer in no time.

Also, you are going to have fun stepping in to the straight razor world. If I may suggest, please try to focus initially on honing your skill with the straight razor rather than honing it. Doing your own honing will come in time. The important thing in the initial phases is to get to know your straight razor.

Chicago, eh? A fabulous town. I went to high school in Chicago before moving on to San Francisco. Senn High School on the north side.

We're delighted to have you here.

Regards,
Obie

Welcome ... from Chicago! But unfortunately, though I've been here a while, I am no expert. One thing I would suggest is that you consider sending the blade to one of the honemeisters who advertise in the Classifieds. As far as I know, all are experienced and well-regarded, and if you ask, I'll bet any of them would be happy to give their observations and opinions on the blade.

Good luck! On one thing, the most important, you have not been mistaken at all: you've found the most helpful place for information on straight-razor shaving, bar none.

~Rich

I appreciate everyone's repsonse. Great to have all of your support. I am dying to shave with this guy, but I would like to see if anyone can help with the honing deal. I don't think it is shave ready and I don't want to cut my face open due to negligence. Any suggestions on how to get it ready, if it is possible, soon?

Here some some pictures, the best I could get before my battery died. I wll try to get some better ones up quickly. Once again thank you all. Nice to hear from fellow Chicagoans in SF.

Welcome and have fun.