Thread: Curious from Michigan, USA

I have used a Safety Razor in the past and generally shave with one of the disposables. I still have my Grandfather Kriss Kross SR stop that would "re-edge" the blades for a little more use. I can't remember where the safety razor went, maybe out to Goodwill. I use a Shick disposable until it simply doesn't like to "save" well anymore.

Looking in eBay I see many different straight razors, and stops. Some new, some old (vintage). I remember seeing my Uncle and his Uncle shaving with a straight razor growing up on the farm in NW rural Nebraska. I have, and still use, the crock shaving mug he had and the old badger hair brush that he used. I'm 57 and he was using it before I came along, so it is still holding up pretty well. I've only started using the saving cup/brush in the last couple of years, so it has sat in the closet kind of quiet all this time.

I see straight razors made in China, and other places. Some priced pretty cheap, and others not so. I don't know if carbon steel makes for a better razor for shaving, or if Stainless Steel is considered good. I hope to learn. When I used to get a hair cut in Oshkosh, NE when I was in High School, the barber was kind of old school and would later up my neck and around my ears and use a straight razor on me. Then he got the straight razor with disposable blades. I was kind of glad, because a lot of times he did some pulling with his shaving.

Don't know anything about Dovo, Kreigar or the others. So I look at them in eBay with ignorance. I sharpen my knives to cut hair, so I think I can manage getting a razor sharp enough to shave, as long as the quality is there.

Hey, Vern,

Welcome to SRP.

Here is a good place to start: Beginner's Guide

I think you'd do well to avoid eBay for a while, and buy from a vendor that sells truly shave ready razors. Also, honing a razor is much different than a knife (cutting arm hair is just where we start to develop the edge).

It's great to have you

Best,

Paul

Welcome to SRP. I started out very much like you did. I had an old brush and mug with a puck of Williams, I was never one for the canned goo. Shaving with a straight razor seemed to be the logical move. I did my research here mostly, and soon after bought my first Dovo 5/8th's round point. I still use it today. I'm sure it'll last me a lifetime, Since then, The hobby has grabbed hold of me. It's an obsession for me, like many of the guys here.

Like Paul said, Read the beginner's guide, it's a good place to start, and check out the rest of our Wiki. Our Classified section is an excellent place to pick up a razor. You can find great deals there. If your fast enough, you may bag one for under 100.00

I know you can pick up a quality Dovo at Straight Razor Designs for under 100.00
Any of us will be glad to answer your questions...

Rich

Thanks Paul. From the Avatar you seem to have the knack down of "tree topping" the hairs. Looks like you like to keep the razor a good 2-3 " above the face. LOL

And, thanks to Rich, who seemed to get a little too zealous with the razor and get clear down to the endoskeleton in his Avatar. I'd have angry eyes too. *Smiling*.

Seriously, I am new and thanks for the warm and sincere welcome. I shoot a Taurus 45 and am a member over on the Taurus forums. I also reload and built a 6.8 SPC II AR-15, and am a member at the 68 Forums. Since I also shoot a SIG Sauer, I thought it nice to be a member over at the SIG forums.... I can go on, but you get the idea. My biggest detriment is I can type, and I have an active mind that keeps me interested in too many things. I wasn't sure if you all use diamond stopping paste or spray as is done in some knives. I once was a member of the Crawford Volunteer Fire Department and had an ax (I was the cellar guy in a competitions) and I had that ax sharp enough to shave the hair off your arm.

I look to understanding more about shaving with the ones I saw when I was a kid. I'm not cheap, but interested in getting a nice clean shave, but without having to wear half a roll of toilet paper to work on my face as well. My cousin in Nebraska has an Army knife made in Soligen Germany that he has gotten so scary sharp, all he has to do is merely wave it over his arm and the hairs give up and fall off, it's that sharp.

Looking forward to seeing the articles and techniques. You tube would be nice as well. I have seen some nice knives and razors on eBay, but they are not the 9.99 kind, more in the 79.00 range made by Dovo. I used a straight razor years ago when I was in high school to skin out a badger I shot. Warren was not exactly happy about the use of his razor... Even then, that badger was sure one tough skinned critter!

Hello and welcome to SRP. As you've undoubtedly allready seen there are many helpful people here and lots of usefull info. Enjoy!

Welcome to SRP.. definitely read the beginners guide if you have not already.

I know you are looking to do it all but I would recommend getting a shave ready razor first ( either via classifieds or a reputable vendor ) so you understand what a properly honed razor feels like. After that you can grab a ebay Dovo or other razor and try honing it yourself to match what you already have. I started out by trying to hone first after using a Shavette to work on how to shave but found myself looking like a zombie had eaten half my face because I could drop hair off the arm like butter but it still wasn't sharp enough to actually shave with. After I picked up a shave ready razor I kept practicing honing my other one until I got it to the point where it was as good/better than the shave ready one.

on a more personal note.. is Su Casa's still open over in Fennville? I remember they had burritos the size of a mailbox when I use to go there in high school.

First off, yes, Su Casa is still there, but BIG! They tore down a house next to the restaraunt and built a HUGE Su Casa restauraunt there... 2 stories. Has parking lot and all, right across from the library. Then they tore down the old Su Casa to make an access/parking spot there as well. Very nicely done. Still have the buritos that are like loaves of bread. Only order 1 !!! LOL

I saw some straight razors today that looked pretty nice. Have good tight hinges and handles, and the blades look exceptionally well, and felt... well... sharp! The 2 I saw that a guy has are Wadsworth & Sons (Germany) for $16.95 and a WISS & Sons, also German, for $15.95 He also has some others that have real ivory handles, etc but are really pricy. What is your take (anyone) on these razors? Are they good? They are very old, over 40 years old, but are in excellent shape, carbon steel, have been used, but no abused and are seemingly well made razors. Perhaps I should post this someplace else on this forum?

Thanks again for ALL your ideas and links and helps.!!
I moved out here to SW Michigan to work for Fenn Valley Vineyards as their Associate Winemaker, and have found out where On Target is in Kalamazoo.... I have several of their items around and carry a Taurus PT145 daily.

Videos on proper shaving or honing of blades? Stopping videos?

There are plenty of videos on Youtube for both.. though for honing you may want to watch the ones in this thread
http://straightrazorpalace.com/advan...lynn-glen.html

There are also some links to stropping videos in the Stropping forum.

Guess I will have to head to Fennville and hit up Su Casa again it has been years since I have been there.