Hi to all at SRP

Hi to all at SRP, i have been shaving with a miraki razor with replaceable blades, after my first few face gouges, mainly around my jaw line and lips, i managed after time and patience to be able to get a close shave with only occasional nicks, However when all my blades dulled and the time to replace them came, ordering more blades from japan seemed too much of a hassle and i went back to the 'gillette' it felt cheap and easy and didnt provide me with the shave i enjoyed with the miraki. When to my surprise, yesterday on valentines day my lovely wife presented me with a beautiful Dovo ebenholz, I am still very much a novice and will appreciate any tips and advice on how to care for my new prize possession and how to use it without turning myself into the proverbial 'scarface' i will be scouring the forum reading all the advice on offer, however it is a bit overwhelming and any one on one tuition would be greatly welcomed.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/image...c/progress.gif Ben, UK

Welcome aboard! There are a number of Wikis and beginner's guides here on the site. Read these over before you attempt your next shave. As for SR care, the best thing you can do is to get yourself a good strop. You'll want one with canvas and leather. This is going to be your daily maintanance tool for your straight. Don't worry at this stage about honing, just concentrate on getting to know your razor and building a good skill set.

Welcome to your new obsession!

Welcome to SRP. Thats a good wife you've got yourself there! :) Definately scour the forums and check out the WIKI for lots of useful info. :gl: and enjoy.

Welcome to SRP. How 'bout your wife and mine get together? I'd love a new Dovo blade. Congrats!

Hey there fellow 'stepping razors'

I am looking at a strop at the moment which i think should be a good one its a-
Dovo Solingen 13" Prima Rindleder, Leather Strop
Two sided leather strop made of Tan Russian Leather and Linen Canvas.

Also could you please tell me the best oil to use to keep the blade in good condition between shaves?

Cheers buddy.
Ben

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ghostmutt

Hey there fellow 'stepping razors'

I am looking at a strop at the moment which i think should be a good one its a-
Dovo Solingen 13" Prima Rindleder, Leather Strop
Two sided leather strop made of Tan Russian Leather and Linen Canvas.

Also could you please tell me the best oil to use to keep the blade in good condition between shaves?

Cheers buddy.
Ben

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I've been reading up on this in the forums here and this is what I've read (no personal experience of any length to weigh in on this). But you can pretty much use any oil that is used for protecting and maintaining metals; bonus if it is food safe. Mineral Oil, 3 in 1 Oil, and Camelia Oil are mentioned a lot. Gun oil has been used to some satisfaction, but I'd be worried about making sure you clear all of it so that no residue was on the blade while shaving. Personally I've already got 3 in 1 at the house so that's what I'm trying to start out with.

Good luck!

If your going to be using the razor on a daily/weekly basis, A silicone treated cloth can be used, like the one's used for wiping down firearms. They work great, protect the blade, and you don't have to wipe away oil. I use "Camelia" oil on razors I don't plan on using for a while. The one's in storage.

Read through our wiki for beginner's tips. Also, check out mantic59 on youtube. He's has shaving video's that are informative and entertaining.

Make sure you do a good prep before you use your razor, A hot shower, A hot towel to the face, Some pre shave oil helps soften the beard. Use a good quality soap or shave cream, no canned goo....

You will need a leather strop. You'll strop your blade each time before you use it.
Also, When you shave, try stretching your skin, it'll help, especially around the jawline, etc...

Enjoy....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ghostmutt

Hey there fellow 'stepping razors'

I am looking at a strop at the moment which i think should be a good one its a-
Dovo Solingen 13" Prima Rindleder, Leather Strop
Two sided leather strop made of Tan Russian Leather and Linen Canvas.

Also could you please tell me the best oil to use to keep the blade in good condition between shaves?

Cheers buddy.
Ben

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What I typically do to care for the blade in between shaves is to dip it in a solution of isopropyl alcohol and mineral oil once I've cleaned it after shaving. This accomplishes a couple of things. The alcohol will dry out any moisture as it evaporates, leaving a thin film of oil to protect your blade.

I use a jar that my last batch of martini olives came in. Olive jars tend to be tall and narrow (mine is about 5.5 oz), which is perfect for a straight razor. I washed it and filled it with about 4.5-5 oz of isopropyl alcohol and about a 1/2 tsp of mineral oil. Once the blade is cleaned, I dip the razor in and then let the solution run down into the pivot to get rid of any moisture hiding there. The last thing you need is your pivot corroding. Once the alcohol evaporates, the oil is left behind.

Hello, Ben:

Welcome to Straight Razor Place. The advice you've received thus far is sound. Not much else for me to add. So keep shaving and asking questions. That Ebenholz is a lovely razor, and a fine present from your wife.

Regards,

Obie

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LAsoxfan

What I typically do to care for the blade in between shaves is to dip it in a solution of isopropyl alcohol and mineral oil once I've cleaned it after shaving. This accomplishes a couple of things. The alcohol will dry out any moisture as it evaporates, leaving a thin film of oil to protect your blade.

I use a jar that my last batch of martini olives came in. Olive jars tend to be tall and narrow (mine is about 5.5 oz), which is perfect for a straight razor. I washed it and filled it with about 4.5-5 oz of isopropyl alcohol and about a 1/2 tsp of mineral oil. Once the blade is cleaned, I dip the razor in and then let the solution run down into the pivot to get rid of any moisture hiding there. The last thing you need is your pivot corroding. Once the alcohol evaporates, the oil is left behind.

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That sounds like a great idea, but how does it work since Oil doesn't mix with Alcohol?
Do you shake it up? Does the oil float on top of the Alcohol?
Curious...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by zib

That sounds like a great idea, but how does it work since Oil doesn't mix with Alcohol?
Do you shake it up? Does the oil float on top of the Alcohol?
Curious...

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The alcohol actually goes into solution with the oil. Just get a tank of gas, it's got a fair bit of ethanol in it, thanks to the feds.

Before mold release agents could be easily purchased in spray cans, model builders used this method to make a mold release for resin casting.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GeauxLSU

The alcohol actually goes into solution with the oil. Just get a tank of gas, it's got a fair bit of ethanol in it, thanks to the feds.

Before mold release agents could be easily purchased in spray cans, model builders used this method to make a mold release for resin casting.

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I didn't think about Ethanol. I'll have to try mixing oil and Alcohol when I get home...

GhostMutt,

Welcome and hello from Hastings :)

For shaving resources in the UK, we are well provided for:

For razors, strops, honing etc Misters Miller (www.strop-shop.co.uk) and Dempster (www.theinvisibleedge.co.uk) are super chaps to do business with. I highly recommend Mr Millers strops and razor work !!

For razor honing on cotis, we have Mr Gary Haywood (PM him here at SRP)

For shaving consumables, we have Mr Mayhew (www.connaughtshaving.com)

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ