Hows it going from Texas.

Hello to everyone. I am new the straight razor, but I have come across this forum on many of my searches about the subject.
I guess I hadn't thought of a straight razor in years until I came across an old strop that belonged to my Grandfather in a recent move.
He was a stern old farmer, but one thing I remember about him is that he did everything right, so it sparked my interest. The strop is nothing special ,an Illinois , but as it seems to have had little use I would guess it was the last one he owned .
I would like to say I had one of his old razors, but I'm guessing his last wife's family ended up with those years ago.
After my interest was sparked I bought an old no name square point from an antique shop for 15 dollars, as I didn't care to spend the money for a new one that I wasn't even sure I'd have the skill or guts to use.
I honed ,and stropped it the best I could ,and I have been very surprised at how well and close it shaves.
It is a good shaver, but being a novice I hadn't counted on the square edge being so touchy. Quite a few cuts later I decide to buy one with a rounded point.
A 20 dollar Joseph Rodgers and Sons is what I came up with, but the jury is still out on that one.
Anyway I am happy to be here, and look forward to learning about what, now some would consider an artform.

Welcome! You came to the right place. There is plenty of advice here. This is the virtual barber shop where men gather and talk a little about everthing!

Hello Eric,

I have three razors myself and one is a square-point like you mentioned. Using it was the first time I really cut myself; It was also the first time I had to use a styptic pencil. Fortunately neither hurt so I guess that's fine. However, that straight left me a little gun-shy and it may be a few more days before I pick it up again. Rounded toes are much more forgiving.

Even so, I'm going to use that one with the corner-edge, too. I figure it will help me with my technique and control.

Just a suggestion, you might want to buy a shave ready straight from someone here in the classifieds. That way you can be sure that you have a properly honed razor. It will give you a baseline to compare your honed razors to. You don't have to spend a lot of money and it really may be worth the effort and expense for you.

Good luck and welcome to SRP.

-Mark

Hi Eric,

Welcome, and bravo for choosing quality. As you're already learning, its a different shave, more pleasant, and the quality can't be beat.

A year from now, you won't think twice about a squarepoint. I've hacked myself up w/ a roundpoint as much as anything. No matter what you use, staying aware of the point is a must. What a squarepoint requires in attention, it pays back with its ability to work tight places around the nose & mustache.

It sounds like you're gonna be getting some really great shaves soon. If you have any doubts about the shave readiness of the edges, get some help from a member or send to a pro. To put it mildly, you have many very highly skilled members in Texas. Getting together with them or at an area meet-up would be most helpful.

Keep going & enjoy yourself. 'Glad to have you here.

Eric,

Pinklather sold me two of the blades I have; I won the other one in the October giveaway. This may be my biased opinion, but Pinklather won't steer you wrong.

-Mark

Thanks for the replies and advice fellas . Wintchase I appreciate that ,and I do think I'm at the right place. @ Mark.. Thanks for the suggestion. I have thought about buying one that is honed by an expert , and I just may do so. I have been an avid sharpener of my own knives, but this is a much different animal altogether it seems. I am using a very fine grit Arkansas wetstone. It works great with the heavy square point blade , but I cant seem to get a very fine edge on the Sheffield razor. I'm still not giving up on that one, and by the way I have had to use the pencil a few times so far myself . @ Pinklather Thanks I'm happy to be here, and yes it is a very different kind of close shave. The first time I tried it my girlfriend was amazed that my face didn't poke back at her hand . I am getting more used to the square point but I still have a long way to go. I have to say it seems like quality steel for a blade with no markings whatsoever on it. I have not been able to find out anything about its possible origin so far, but I am still looking. Any way thanks again to all. I welcome any advice.