Thread: Hello from Seattle

Hello everyone,

So I started into wet shaving oh probably 8 months or so ago. I got fed up paying for replacement carts for my multi blade. I even had one of those self cleaning electric Braun things but found I spent even more for the cleaning solution and replacement foil/blades.

To start I went with a Merkur 38C and I've never looked back. I started looking forward to shaving rather than looking at is as just one more thing I needed to bust out real quick.

Though initially the reasoning was to save money, I (like many others I've found) have started collecting so many different creams/soaps/aftershaves etc. that its really become a hobby or maybe an addiction? LOL

Anyway now I'm wanting to get into shaving with a straight. I've been doing a lot of research into it, just like I did with DE shaving and I'm just about to pull the trigger on an order from SRD.

• Dovo Ebony Silver Steel 5/8" Straight Razor & Strop set
• Plus another cream (D.R. Harris Arlington) that I've been wanting to try.

My main concern before actually buying is what to do about sharpening for the long term. I would like to do this myself, but I don't want to buy 12 different stones just to keep one razor shave ready. Any help would be appreciated.

Hello, and welcome to SRP. You certainly came to the right place with your questions, this place is full of helpful and knowledgeable people. Those are some nice items you are gathering, and SRD has great service. About keeping the razor sharp - a quality strop and a barber's hone, alternatively a fine grit finishing hone, will let you maintain a nice edge for a very long time, once you know how to use them. The problem with straight razor honing is they are honed on very very fine hones, so to do all the honing most of us find you need more than one hone. But for a solid start, a barber's hone or a finishing hone will go a long way.

Hello, Powderkeg:

Welcome to Straight Razor Place. Your starter set is just fine. I have the Ebenholz and it's a good razor. The D.R. Harris shaving cream is a winner, too. Good stuff, all this.

Don't worry about hones yet. I expect your new razor will arrive shave ready. You're okay, then, for a few months. When time comes for hones, the Norton 4000/8000 is great for starters. Eventually, after you've amassed a collection of razors, you can start to look at other hones. Right now, though, I suggest to concentrate on honing your skill with the straight razor. If you have questions, please don't hesitate to ask. We're delighted to have you with us.

Regards,

Obie

First off you benefited yourself by choosing SRD. They include a free honing certificate with each new razor sold.
Second, you have another advantage, location. We are having a meet in Spokane towards the end of summer and that would be a great opportunity to learn honing and use many different stones to get an idea of what direction you want to go. To find this go to the forum listing meets and get togethers or go to the calendar for August 25.
Also there are many members near you who might be able to help. I would search the member map to look for others and while you are there feel free to make your mark on the map. If you don't find anyone please feel free to contact me and I will arrange a time to go to Seattle to help you, possibly this summer. I don't have every stone under the sun, but I have enough to help you get an idea.

Powderkeg,

First, welcome to SRP. We'r pleased to have you aboard.

+1 on the advice offered in the previous posts. As for your question...As Obie has already suggested, you don't need to worry about honing for awhile. Your razor from SRD will arrive already honed or shave ready. In fact, they provide a certificate for another free honing of your razor.

At this point, focus on your beard prep and shaving technique, esp. your blade angle. That should keep you occupied. As for me, I would first recommend that you get a second strop, preferably a paddle strop (w/ felt on one side and rough leather on the other side) that you can apply diamond spray to or Chromioum Oxide paste to the felt in order to maintain the sharpness of your honed razor.

Later, you can get either a Norton 4K-8K combo wet stone or a trio of Naniwa Superstones (5K, 8K and 12K) for honing your razor.

Just my 2 cents.

Take care--and smooth shaving.

Hehehehe Gerrit is ready for another meet

but it is September 25th in Spokane

Here is the thread that is forming up... Hope to see ya there...

http://straightrazorpalace.com/get-t...a-meet-up.html

If that is to far away or you get impatient take Gerrit up on his offer, there is a ton of info on this site and even videos to be found on honing, but nothing beats sitting down across the table from somebody willing to help you...

Welcome to SRP

Well, the trigger has been pulled. Though not before adding a tub of Truefitt & Hill 1805 Shaving Cream to the order. It's one of the vices I picked up from DE shaving, I can only find so many decent brands of shaving cream/soaps locally(Art of Shaving) and there are so many I want to try.

The professorial honing as well as the free follow up that SRD offers was one of the major factors in my choosing them. Add to that the prices and all the recommendations that I'm always reading and I can't go wrong.

Thanks for the offer deighaingeal, I might have to take you up on that. I'm not sure about Spokane, but some of the best motorcycle riding roads in the state are between Yakima and Seattle. During the summer I'll usually ride the 410 to Canyon Rd and back just for fun and maybe a burger.

Beard prep and post shave are two things I've got down pretty well. Shave technique is what I'll really have to concentrate on. Reading and watching video's is one thing, putting everything into practice will be a new adventure.

When you guys say "finishing hone", would that be one of the 10,000 or 12,000 stones? I'm thinking that as time goes by I could start off with one of those, then add maybe a 5k/8k later. I'll focus on learning the straight first, but eventually I'd like to be completely self sufficient other than buying cream/soaps.

Sorry, I mistyped. I meant september. Maybe it WAS a subconscious drive. I do enjoy the meets. Thanks Glen.

You are always welcome to stop by in Yak whenever you wish just give me some warning to arrange schedules. Btw 410 is shut down from a mudslide, but if you hit I-5 to 12 it is pretty fun as well it does take some time, but a great ride. We just had a meet in yak about a month ago. I might have to repeat next year just for fun.

Welcome,

I learned and am still learning from this website and from Lynn Abrams CD.

I highly recommend that you read, ask a lot of questions, and get Mr Abrams CD. It is not hard to learn how to use a straight razor if you get all the information and supplies you need first. Keep in mind that you WILL cut yourself. It is all part of the learning curve. Read the Wiki on this website. It will answer most of your questions.

I think I found is that straight razor shaving is great and addicting. Never had a better shaving experience that I have in the last couple of months.

Best regards,
Johan