Hows it going from Texas.

[EricJ2011]

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.

[Wintchase]

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!

[markdfhr]

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

[pinklather]

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.

[markdfhr]

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

[EricJ2011]

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.