Thread: A bit to learn

Had a friend who recently started using a straight razor, so my interest was piqued when I saw a cabinet full of them in an antique store. Went ahead and bought the shiniest, heftiest looking one, along with a strop that seems to be in fair condition. Didn't have time to use them this morning, though, and am rather glad for that, since it allowed me time to read through this forum a bit. Looks like it may behoove me to look into honing my newly-acquired old blade. I look forward to reviving it and the strop, though, and giving it a go sometime soon. Any advice on locating local supplies (I'm in a pretty small town right now, but have ready-access to Wichita, KS).

Oh...and hi.

--Ryan

Hello, Nepsis:

Welcome to Straight Razor Place. Yes, that razor needs to be honed before you shave with it.

We have several members here from the Kansas City area, who might know of some places for products and I am sure will help you out.

Regards,
Obie

Hello Ryan and welcome to SRP! It would be smart to have the blade checked and honed. It doesnt matter wether you are from small town USA or the city, most of us order what we truly want from online vendors. I can tell you this much though, Walmart as well as some of the chain drugstores still carry inexpensive soaps and brushes that are just fine for straight shavers. Try some Pinaud Clubman After Shave for that old time barbershop smell.

Its good to have you here, please check out the forums, the wiki, and always feel free to ask questions, we are here for you!

he welcome to srp! you made me smile when i read that you picked the most hefty razor of the lot.. you should do some reading up on which blades are good ones to buy and go back..

either way.. get that thing honed and do some reading of the wiki before attempting a shave..

again.. welcome.

Thanks for the input! I did find a brush and some shaving soap at the local Walgreens...should be enough to get me going (will experiment with varieties later). From the bit of reading I've done here, looks like I need to have the razor honed, and make sure the strop is conditioned. Strop conditioning looks easy enough, but any advice on finding someone to hone the razor? Just a matter of popping by the local barber shop, or should I search the yellow pages for someone who sharpens knives? Any way to evaluate whether they'll do a good job prior to them actually doing it?

Thanks,
--R

Originally Posted by Nepsis

Thanks for the input! I did find a brush and some shaving soap at the local Walgreens...should be enough to get me going (will experiment with varieties later).

Straight razor shaving is the most demanding of a shaving soap/cream's quality. Please tell us the brand you are using, especially due to inexperience. Also prudent to make sure you've got the right ratio of water to soap, even a good beginner brand like Van der Hagen can be sub-par without proper hydration.

Originally Posted by Nepsis

From the bit of reading I've done here, looks like I need to have the razor honed, and make sure the strop is conditioned. Strop conditioning looks easy enough, but any advice on finding someone to hone the razor? Just a matter of popping by the local barber shop, or should I search the yellow pages for someone who sharpens knives? Any way to evaluate whether they'll do a good job prior to them actually doing it?

Uhhhh. It really depends on the barber/knife sharpener. Reading through posts on this site has led me to believe that straight razors have become something of a lost "art", including the profession that were the foremost authorities on the subject. Same goes for knife sharpeners. Reading through culinary forums has shown me that many knife sharpening places can't even sharpen regular knives to a good cook's requirements. A lot of hardware stores are more suited to garden tools and standard workshop equipment, not higher end knives. They can butcher the steel of good knives and may rip off way more steel than appropriate. If they can't bring a quality knife up to the steel's level of fineness, what would they do to a tool designed to be fine enough to safely cut your facial hair?

Originally Posted by Nepsis

Thanks,
--R

You're welcome!

Finally a chance to get back on the forums from home. Took some photos, too, which will be following. Here's what I've got so far, though:
- Razor from antique shop: "Welt Ruf Schutz Marke 196" embossed on one side, "Beste Qualitat *Tuckman* Gilber Stahl Solirgen" (not quite sure about those last couple words) on the other side. Blade appears to be 6/8 with half hollow (guessing).

- Strop from same antique shop. Two strips: one leather, one cloth. Leather embossed with: "Genuine imported leather with deep-cut diamond Russia back makes it extra soft" toward top, and "Certifyd trade mark sanitary select. will beat 'em all like certified chekcs 100% positive value. Made in USA. 323" toward bottom. I'm noticing some scratches on the surface of the leather that -- having done some reading here -- I'm kind of concerned about.

- Soap from Walgreen's: Van Der Hagen Enterprises (VDH) Deluxe Shave Soap with alow vera & shea butter for dry skin -- heavy beard.

- Brush from Walgreen's as well: Van Der Hagen Enterprises (VDH) Natural Shave Brush 100% Natural Boar Bristle.

Thoughts? Comments? Really need to get the razor honed before trying to use it, but I'm eager to give it a try. Thinking about popping by the local barbershop today (pretty small town here) to see about a honing.

Again, pics to follow.

--R

Originally Posted by Nepsis

should I search the yellow pages for someone who sharpens knives?

Thanks,
--R

Welcome SRP.
Please forget about above statement.
we do have member services on classified.

Member Services - Straight Razor Place Classifieds
Check it out and choose 1 person get your blade shave ready. good luck

Tuckmar's are really good shavers you lucked into a nice one...

DO NOT let anyone touch that baby that doesn't KNOW straight razors...

Look back in the posts see Nun2Sharp aka Kelly he is in yer neighborhood he can HONE.... it looks like Hi_bud_GL aka Sham is too, these guys both know Straight Razors and can help you..

And being new I bet you are anxious to get started

Originally Posted by hi_bud_gl

Welcome SRP.
Please forget about above statement.
we do have member services on classified.

Member Services - Straight Razor Place Classifieds
Check it out and choose 1 person get your blade shave ready. good luck

Sounds good. I'd been hoping to find someone local...or who was close enough I could travel to in order to get it done quickly, as well as to observe and learn. Looks like I may have to go ahead and settle for shipping it this first time, though.

Thx,
--R