Thread: interesting trial and error

so I have had interest in using a straight razor since I was shaving age ( for me it was around age 13). now at age 23 I finally decided it was time to take up the challenge. I was talking with a family member about it and an old straight razor was brought out of storage with the title "Grandpa Hawkins Razor" it is my great grandpas razor. It is a John Primble Blue Grass variety. (not shave ready).I took it and decided it was time to learn. I read some of the beginers guides on other sites and before I even finished reading my girlfriend had bought me a straight razor and a strop. (later to find out that both were absolutely horrible). I was then invested and it was time to give this a try. Being that I have MANY pocket knives and over the years I had gotten VERY good at sharpening them. It is not uncommon for me to be able to shave rather well with all of my pocket knives that I have sharpened. So I did exactly what you should never do. I pulled out my gear I sharpen my pocket knives with and got to work doing things all wrong. I was not aware that you should use a flat stone and use the spine of the blade to set your angle for honing, I used my guide for my other knives and sharpened away on the piece of garbage straight razor that my GF had gotten me. when I was done I actually had an edge that would probably wow anyone reading this based on the technique used. it shaved rather well. after taking the time to read how you are supposed to hone a straight razor and being rather embarrassed I decided to get a 1,000-6,000 whetstone and attempt it the right way. I started off and was once again doing everything wrong and was placing too much pressure on the blade, distorting it and grinding away at it. after spending probably somewhere near 9 hours honing this new stainless blade I was substantually less sharp then when I got the dull piece of junk. I could not believe that after sharpening pocket knives for 15+ years that I could be so bad at this. I was soo mad that I made what should have been even a far worse decision and pulled out my great grandpa's straight razor and put that to the hone. after taking my time to get the chips out of the abused vintage razor I finally came to a point where I realized I was almost done. I finished up the honing and stropping and looked at what I had done and realized that it looked perfect. later that night I used the razor for the first time and had the best shave of my life. somehow I managed to do every possible thing wrong and ended up with a great success. my advice to anyone new to straight razor shaving... DO NOT DO WHAT I DID. read the advice on this website and FOLLOW it. I am convinced that it was only because I had tremendious experence with sharpening that I was able to do anything but destroy an amazing sentimental straight razor in my exploration of honing. and as for the piece of junk new stainless straight razor that I destroyed it could have been avoided if I had just read the info on this site earlier. it is a piece of garbage and I would not wish the anguish on anyone. good luck to all and enjoy the experience.

Welcome to SRP. Sounds like you are off to a great start. I suppose most of us have a similar story, but not always with as positive an ending as yours. Really glad to hear you didn't ruin your grandfather razor and that you enjoyed your shave. Wish I'd started as young as you.

thanks for the encouragement. I am learning so much from this site and think it will be a great investment of time. I do have a question for you directly. I can't help but notice that you live just down the road from me. I am in st. clair shores. are there any places around here that sell any straight razor or sharpening supples that I might want to visit?