Hello from Rescue CA

Hello all from Rescue...


I have been reading the post on this site now for some two weeks after jumping head first into straight razor shaving. I have three razors already (2 antiques - a "black beauty" w/ clear green scales -and still trying to figure out exactly who made it- and a "master cuter" or "master cutler" (it's written in old english with a slight gold inlay in the back ground)).

I have also already contacted Whipped dog and as soon as a third razor comes in, I'll be shipping them off for their first professional hone in probably ages (minus the razor that was purchased from Amazon that is "SHAVE READY" AHHAHAH....We all know what that means by now....:ziplip:

But that brings me to my first question for everyone/any one....Once the professional hone is obtained....I am terrified of losing it through time w/ basic stroping/ paste (the works)....I want to learn to hone and have a Swaty (antique shop bough in great condition and lapped with 320 grit + 600 wet/dry ....so this is it....Will I be able to maintain the edge following all the advice from the wiki's and post or will the edge go out the window quickly?

This question is being posed with the idea that (barring I drop the razor or completly have a brain f*rt and grind it completly wrong) .....It seems the edge should be somewhat maintained within specs to some degree....I just don't want to be sending out three or five or however many razors....out in the mail every year....

Thanks again in advance and I love this place you guys have built for Straight Razor users !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Chris FROM Rescue!@
:dropjaw:

The Swaty should be able to maintain the edge indefinitely. Don't let the edge get too dull before using it.

I believe there are "barber hone" videos on YouTube, and Wiki articles, and (I think) a writeup on honing on the Whipped Dog website that talks about using a barber hone forever.

Charles

Wellcome:) where the hell is rescue?

I learned something about my home state today. Your town was a stop on the Pony Express, according to Wikipedia.

Check out AFDavis11's video on stropping on the site's main page (I'm sure it's still there). That will let you know what real stropping looks like.

HAHAHAHAHA!!!

That's exactly what everyone usually says!!! So much so they actually made it into a bumper sticker quoting your responce!!!

Chris

That's right....still has the post office in place (in use) just down the road from the house... Very good!

Will check the video out too ...thanks!!

Sweet!.... I will check it out immediately!

Hello and thanks to all those with kind words and great advice in advance!!!


I have also been reading alot about the subtle (but usuful) use of microscopes in the maintenance of edges via hones and such.

I have heard everything from 30x jewlers piece (the small pocket type with the flip out reticle) to the 60x (seperate LED light attatched to the lense from China)....

How necessary or unessessary are these and would they be a good investment?

Chris ....Resce

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jctpage

I have also been reading alot about the subtle (but usuful) use of microscopes in the maintenance of edges via hones and such.

I have heard everything from 30x jewlers piece (the small pocket type with the flip out reticle) to the 60x (seperate LED light attatched to the lense from China)....

How necessary or unessessary are these and would they be a good investment?

---

Chris,

There's a good discussion here http://straightrazorpalace.com/hones...ification.html

You can get an inexpensive magnifier at Radio Shack, and you'll see some info on that in this particular thread. However, I happen to use a loupe with a built in LED.

If that thread does not meet your satisfaction, you can also do an advanced search for terms such as magnification, loupe, microscope, magnifiers, etc.

I hope this helps some.

-Mark

Well....It worked out great (following the threads and found exactly what I am looking for) a 30x LED loupe on ebay for $5 (and it's in a case, and the loupe is metal not plastic....so good deal!!!

-Chris

BtW!

Does everybody use a piece of tape on the spine when doing the "Continual" honeing needed for the razor? (as per whippeddogs article?

jctpage,

I'm not a honing expert, so understand this. However, if you don't know where the bevel is, which is basically the angle of the edge, I suggest you get a sharpie and make a small mark around the very edge of your razor. Then you can proceed to make a few x-strokes on your barber's hone. If you see that the sharpie's mark has not been removed, then you can put a layer of tape on the heel of the blade and try again. You're seeking the proper angle for the bevel.

Remember to use no pressure. You should seriously consider browsing the wiki and read this article specifically: Beginner's Guide to Honing - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Also, if I were you, I'd consider having your razor professionally honed so that you can keep the number of variables that you have to control as a new straight razor reduced to a manageable level. If you incorrectly hone your razor at this stage of the game, you'll never really know why your shaves aren't improving or what you need to correct. It's best to keep things simple for now.

Just my humble opinion as a fellow student.

-Mark

hello and welcome