Thread: Walking in from Hong Kong

Hello all,

Im Swedish, living in Hong Kong and started DE shaving in February - spent much time on another shaving board and got interested in straight shaving so by mid April I had my first straight. At that time I lived in Taiwan so I didnt really get started shaving straight until mid May. I still get shaves that are not good enough for work, but I feel I am improving - especially using my off hand!

Despite the short time I already managed to get a collection of 9 straights - one W&B, one Dixon, four different Swedes and three GoldDollars (well the Golddollars are only 3-65 USD in China so I bought them to practice honing on). I am also doing some success in honing - One of the Golddollars gave me a good shave after some coaching - but it was rough! I am currently using DMT6E/F and couticle which might or might not be the best combination.

Problem with Hong Kong is that I have to order almost everything I need Internationally, and there are no flea markets as far as I have seen that have straights! Well I do get many international packages though

looking forward to meet you all in the forums!

Welcom to SRP Stefan. You've come to the right place......you already appear to have a touch of the RAD Post some pics of your straights, we love pics.
On you honing, it might be a bit too big of a jump from the DMT6E (1200 grit) to a coticule finisher. I would suggest something in the 6000 to 8000 before your finisher.

What type of strop are you using?

Shave well,
Stu

Str8Raz0r
My strop is a Walking Horse horsebutt 3mm thick 2,5" wide bought form Superior Shave. I have been thinking of getting a norton 4000/8000 combo as a step between, but forst wanted to make sure I could set the bevel right before spending too much.

As for your other comment - yes I admit some some degree of RAD...
Right now I whish I could both find and AFFORD a big Swede... I have been a bit patriotic in my acquisitions so far.

Will post pics here later today - its time to go out and enjoy a day without rain for a change - its public holiday here today!

The Dixon is dismantled waiting for new scales and one GoldDollar too, the GD I am still working on removing th stabilisers so that the edge reaches the hone...... The GD I am using is rescaled with factorey made scales - not very beautiful but less floppy than the original.

I´ll post my Swedes and the W&B later though

OK here they are:

First is a E.A. Berg in need of renovation that my brother picked up for me on a flea market in Sweden, I´m not sure about the specs yet as it is still in the mail. According to him the scales are in good shape and there are no serious pitting on the edge


Second is an Engström 11/16 Frameback, rescaled in bubinga, but not by me.


Third: C.V Heljestrand faux frameback 11/16, rescaled in wood as well, not by me.


Last, but not least a small F.W Söderen 4/8 ¼ hollow, black wooden scales.


If I get good results with my restorations I´ll post the Gold Dollars and Dixon later - if less successful I´ll post and ask what I did wrong :P

Nice collection, thanks for posting. Looks like you have some work ahead on the first razor.

Welcome to SRP. The norton would be a good addition to your honing kit. Nice collection of razors you have there. Swedish steel is as good as it gets.

Hello, Stefan:

Welcome to Straight Razor Place. I have the Norton 4/8 and a Thuringian for finishing. I figure that's all I need for now, especially since I will be honing just for myself.

I like your razor collection. One note of advice, if you will permit me: in the beginning we tend to grab far too many razors just to have them. If I were starting all over again, I would buy what really strikes my fancy and not overdo my purchases. It's easier said than done, I suppose, but I would give it a try.

We're delighted to have you with us.

You're in Hong Kong and I am in Rio Oso! Almost everything that is worth having has to be shipped to me also. Welcome aboard.


R

Yes, It will be my first real restore - I am a bit hesitant if I should try to remove the scales or fix the blade with the scales on, they seem to be in fairly good shape. My brother picked it up for me for only 9USD so I think its a decent score.

Originally Posted by Str8Raz0r

Nice collection, thanks for posting. Looks like you have some work ahead on the first razor.

Originally Posted by Obie

Hello, Stefan:
I like your razor collection. One note of advice, if you will permit me: in the beginning we tend to grab far too many razors just to have them. If I were starting all over again, I would buy what really strikes my fancy and not overdo my purchases. It's easier said than done, I suppose, but I would give it a try.

We're delighted to have you with us.

Thank you, and good advice - I am sure I will not be to follow it! i been fascinated by straights for a long time - the way they look - so now when I´m beginning to learn how to use them as well ....
Still, before I moved to Hong Kong I was into HiFi, the old stereo version and vinyls records if anyone remembers... chasing spare parts and fixing and... well lets just say that straights are very cheap in comparison