Thread: New member from Iowa

Figured I'd introduce myself. I'm a recent newcomer to the gentlemanly pursuits. It all started with a fascination with properly made and enjoyed libations. From there on in, I found straight razors, pipe tobacco, and a love of fedoras.

I'm a college student starting my third year of law school, and despite the dire financial situation common to those in my circumstances, I decided to take up wet shaving.

A random find at a garage sale yielded a fine-grit sharpening stone for a dollar. Apparently, the homeowner's uncle, a wet shaving enthusiast, had recently died at the age of 101. Unfortunately, the rest of the shaving equipment was gone. The brushes and mugs were considered old and were thrown out. The antique straight razors, all 10 of them immaculately maintained, as described by the homeowner, were thrown out with the garbage by the homeowner's wife because, in her own words, she "did not want knives in the house when the grandkids were over." I did not ask about the existence of kitchen knives in the house.

I wanted to be as self-sufficient as possible, so a trip to the local antiques mall (Fancy flea market) yielded two blades with moderate potential, and one to be used for practice in restoring and maintaining straight razors, all for a grand total of $30.

I welcome any and all suggestions as to the restoration, use, and other equipment (strop, mug, brush, soap, etc.).

And now, for the pictures:

Another Iowan college student! Praise be! And with a love of pipe tobacco and fedoras! Why haven't we met before??

As for your questions, you'll find a ton of information from the members here, and in the wiki. Lots of great products out there in the way of soaps, brushes, strops all of both commercial and artisanal make.

As for the razors and equipment, if you want to learn how to shave/strop/hone/restore you'd be welcome up my way anytime-- where in Iowa are you? I don't have a ton of strops or whatnot to test, but I could show you how to use the stuff and would be happy to help... we Iowans have to stick together!

If you are in law school in Iowa, then you're either in Des Moines or Iowa City. I live in Iowa City so I can be a resource for you as well.

Thanks for the welcome, fellas. I've already started perusing the wiki and, along with a few informative youtube videos on identifying chipped and nicked blades, it helped me select what I hope are at least halfway decent razors. I spend most of my time in Iowa City, but come back to Des Moines to visit occasionally.

Originally Posted by volchonok

Thanks for the welcome, fellas. I've already started perusing the wiki and, along with a few informative youtube videos on identifying chipped and nicked blades, it helped me select what I hope are at least halfway decent razors. I spend most of my time in Iowa City, but come back to Des Moines to visit occasionally.

Just let me know if you ever want a honing lesson. You'll learn a little, get to play with some hones, watch the process under a microscope, and you'll end up with razors honed for free. In fact, even if you don't have time for such a lesson, I could still just hone a couple for you for free so that you can start out with sharp razors.

Originally Posted by Utopian

Just let me know if you ever want a honing lesson. You'll learn a little, get to play with some hones, watch the process under a microscope, and you'll end up with razors honed for free. In fact, even if you don't have time for such a lesson, I could still just hone a couple for you for free so that you can start out with sharp razors.

^^ Good deal right there! Ron is a great guy, I can't think of anyone better to learn from!

Originally Posted by Utopian

Just let me know if you ever want a honing lesson. You'll learn a little, get to play with some hones, watch the process under a microscope, and you'll end up with razors honed for free. In fact, even if you don't have time for such a lesson, I could still just hone a couple for you for free so that you can start out with sharp razors.

I'll have to bring my razors to Iowa City when I come back on Friday and take you up on that.

Originally Posted by volchonok

...snip...
I'm a college student starting my third year of law school, and despite the dire financial situation common to those in my circumstances, I decided to take up wet shaving.

A random find at a garage sale yielded a fine-grit sharpening stone for a dollar.
....snip....

I wanted to be as self-sufficient as possible, so a trip to the local antiques mall (Fancy flea market) yielded two blades with moderate potential, and one to be used for practice in restoring and maintaining straight razors, all for a grand total of $30.

I welcome any and all suggestions as to the restoration, use, and other equipment (strop, mug, brush, soap, etc.).

...snip...

Welcome...

Start with the basic basics.....
For a dozen bucks get "van der hagen premium shave set" (walmart, CVS).
You will want to upgrade but this will get you wet shaving.
While you are restoring and sharpening your blades you can
shave with the inexpensive Yellow Handled BiC tossables.
They will condition your face for a blade and teach you the
important and critical "lathering" step.

First clean your razors to remove soap scum, and other crud.
Hot water 'n soap, an old tooth brush, dry with tissue, wipe with
alcohol and then lightly oil.

If they have rust or corrosion you can rub it off with some
3M wet dry black abrasive paper finishing with 2000 paper.
I like to use slightly soapy water with my 3M wet/dry paper.
Dry and lightly oil.... Fifteen or twenty min with very fine paper
will let you see how much more sanding you need.

At this point you can test hone/sharpen the razor for shaving
or continue on with more extensive hand sanding and hand polishing.
A test is a good idea, spending a week sanding and polishing
on a blade you cannot sharpen or that will not hold an edge
for you is a week better spent on a different blade.

N.B. (note well) that a dull razor will still cut you so sand with
caution.

Sharpening is a challenge. A razor needs to be finished at
about 8000 grit or finer. A 8000 grit hone will however not
set a clean continuous bevel so you will likely need more than
the one hone you have. This is where having a local experienced
shaver help is a bonus. If the blade is in OK shape you can
send it to one of the honemasters... they will apply a pile
of hones that might cost you $200-1000 and have an experienced
hand for the task so the price is a BARGAIN.

A strop is a necessary bit of kit. A clean leather
strap 2.5" wide from Tandy will do the job.
A modest priced canvas and leather strop can be found
at most of the sponsors web sites. Do not go cheep
a strop is used every day, inexpensive is OK.

Have fun...

I stopped by the two walmarts in Des Moines today, and that set was nowhere to be found. Their website now lists it as no longer being sold by walmart. However, a trip to target netted me a relatively cheap ($8.99) "Shea Moisture" brush, a seemingly usable mug, and a side trip to HyVee left me with a bar of williams shave soap for experimentation. I'll be picking up the recommended set online later on in the week.

Bonus points for the crazed looks of horror and disbelief from the Target and WalMart employees when I asked them for a "shaving brush."

I have nothing meaningful to add except I'm from Iowa as well Davenport to be specific.