Thread: Hi im Anthony 40 from South Wales UK

my surname isnt 40 (that would be just plane odd) I been using a shavette for a few weeks,and bought myself a straight razor yesterday its by a company call edge burg, i know its not a dovo or other big brand,but im on a buget and if i dont get on with it i havnt lost much cash when i switch back to the shavette.

Tried to use my strop yesterday did Ok till i let my daughter have a go and she took huge chunk out of it.

So i ordered a new barbers one off ebay.

I notice on you tube some people hone in an x pattern and some a straight pattern,some use 3,4,5 stones others use 1 double sided stone or 2 stones.

Im favouring the straight pattern because im total newby what do you think ?and can you suggest what stone i could get and where from.
Thanks guys for all your info on this site

Hi and welcome to SRP.
First, it sounds like you are off to a decent start there

As you now know, keep kids away from all things razor related

Your questions are not easily answered in just one post, but as luck would have it, I believe the links in my sig line will be of some help to you!

Personally I use the x-pattern. That gives me the required technique regardless of strop-width.
If what you have is a 3" strop, then the straight will do just fine.

Honing is like the way to Rome, there are many ways that lead to it, all are different.

Again, the wiki, where my links in the sig-line are gathered from is an awesome place to start reading about it.
Also, check out the stickies in the honing sub-forum.
Plenty of really good info there as well.

Any questios, we are here to help the best we can.

Good luck!

.thanks for the links very interesting, whats your view on fine paste on a canvas strop will that eliminate the need for honing or stretch it out honing is what im nervous about i dont want to ruin the blade it such a mine field im thinking of a 12k watertone any advise would be great .i give my new blade a go tonight it was ok but the AGT shave was very pianfull (sore and burning) WTG was preety close though its probaly my technique.i before i shaved i put the blade onm y moist nail and pulled it didnt grip it was smooth but resistive does that sound right may be i need more stropping or honing the girl in shop couldnt tell me anything other than the price and color of the handle she called it i

Once you have a razor professionally honed, pastes, like CrO, will keep your edge going for quite some time.
The CrO and the 12K hone wouldn't help much if the blade was too far gone from a shave ready state.
Then you will need a coarser set of hones to bring it back.

My advice would be to have it honed by someone who knows how, then maintain that on a 12K or a barbers hone.
You can find those on ebay rather cheap.
With that you could go for months, even years, before you needed anything other than a good stropping.
Use the Barbers hone as soon as you feel the edge go just a little, and strop it good.

That is really the best way, IMO, untill you get the shaving down.

Good luck, hope that helped

Hello Anthony and welcome to SRP
Some good advice above. Like so much of straight razor the choice of paste strop or 12k hone comes down to personal preference. I saw another thread regarding honing in the uk the following links should help.
www.strop-shop.co.uk - hand made straight razor strops, razor pouches, shaving accessories, vintage razors, razor honing and restoration
Introduction to razors (The invisible Edge)
Good luck

Thanks bro this straight edge razor has made me rethink how I shave. Dam you got to get a good one STRONG IN THE FORCE

mowfow71,

Welcome and hello from Hastings

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

Originally Posted by mowfow71

before i shaved i put the blade onm y moist nail and pulled it didnt grip it was smooth but resistive does that sound right may be i need more stropping or honing the girl in shop couldnt tell me anything other than the price and color of the handle she called it i

Welcome to SRP. Just noticed this but better late than never. Running a blade over your nail is called the thumbnail test (TNT) & you only do it at around 1k to determine any areas where the bevel may be incomplete . To do that on a shaveready razor is redundant & will render it not shaveready requiring rehoning.

Originally Posted by mikedabike

Thanks bro this straight edge razor has made me rethink how I shave. Dam you got to get a good one STRONG IN THE FORCE

Feel the RAD (Razor Aquisition Disorder)

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Welcome to SRP. Just noticed this but better late than never. Running a blade over your nail is called the thumbnail test (TNT) & you only do it at around 1k to determine any areas where the bevel may be incomplete . To do that on a shaveready razor is redundant & will render it not shaveready requiring rehoning.

Hi thank you that info I really did realise a TNT would ruin the edge. I guess the only true way to test a blade is to shave with it.