Thread: beginner from the natural state

Hi, I'm Mason. I've been known to do things the old fashioned way sometimes (eg; ax rather than chainsaw) so when I heard that my grandfather had found his old straight razor and that he wanted to give it to me i was really excited. The first time I used the razor I was terrified. As I was shaving I noticed that, even thought it was veeeeeery dull, it was still the best shave I had had sense I started like four years ago(yes I'm 17 haha). So that's my "convert" story. Now my question for the older gentlemen here is should I take my grandfather's razor to the local barbor to get it honed or should I invest in a stone and do it myself? If the latter please tell me what grain count and the order inwich to use them. Don't worry about expounding on the method my grandfather explained that to me.

Thanks for any advice you might have.
(this smilie is AWSOME!!)

Welcome, Mason.

You should have the barber hone your razor. But first make sure he knows how to do it, if he doesn't you should send it to one of the experienced people who offer this service - look under member services in the classifieds section.

Hi Mason, welcome to SRP!

Be sure to spend some time reading in the wiki: Straight Razor Place Wiki
You will find some helpful information there regarding shaving with a straight razor as well as honing and maintaining your razor.

I agree with gugi that you should either have a barber that knows what he's doing hone the razor or else send it out for honing.

thanks guys ill have the barber hone it. um is there anything i need to know for stropping like pastes and method and whatnot?

Pastes will only be used for refreshing an edge that doesn't shave comfortably anymore. Otherwise you should be stropping on plain linen and leather.

This part of the wiki addresses stropping technique: Razor stropping - Straight Razor Place Wiki

thanks alot. i've heard some say strop everyday and others say every few days. is it a matter of preference or does daily stropping help maintain the edge

Strop before you use your razor. If you shave daily, strop daily.
Some folks also do a light stropping after the shave to dry the edge of the razor. Some folks don't.

Just spend some time with your barber. He'll tell you everything you need to know and will be able to demonstrate it to you!