Thread: Hello all

I have been a wet shaver all my life using DE razors but recently was given my Great grandefarthers straight razors , I have tried them a couple of times but I'm only getting OK ish results not as good as any of my DE's I'm thinking this is technique so here I have a few beginner questions.

1.how do I use strop paste (rub it on the leather I presume)

2.Should I be using a similar angle as my safety razors to shave

3.Will it do them damage being so old ( I wash them dry them , leave them in the open for a few hours then oil them , (should I wipe the oil of them before stropping ( I have done )

4. should I get them honed first (They are sharp , it maybe my technique but there not shaving as good as my Edwin Jagger DE

5.What is a good quality modern straight that wont have Mrs Big Paul throwing pans at me if she sees the bill ?

Any answers will be welcome and sorry for so many questions on my 1st post.

First off a warm welcome
As to the questions:

1. don't know actually, i don't use stropping paste.
2. a 30 degree angle is advised i believe
3. Will what do them damage? the shaving? i shouldn't think so, steel doesn't weaken over time apart from rust.
4. Yes
5. the dovo blades are quality and nicely priced, there are some nice beginner blades in their collection.

Hope it helps, i'm new to this myself

Originally Posted by bigpaul

I have been a wet shaver all my life using DE razors but recently was given my Great grandefarthers straight razors , I have tried them a couple of times but I'm only getting OK ish results not as good as any of my DE's I'm thinking this is technique so here I have a few beginner questions.

1.how do I use strop paste (rub it on the leather I presume)

2.Should I be using a similar angle as my safety razors to shave

3.Will it do them damage being so old ( I wash them dry them , leave them in the open for a few hours then oil them , (should I wipe the oil of them before stropping ( I have done )

4. should I get them honed first (They are sharp , it maybe my technique but there not shaving as good as my Edwin Jagger DE

5.What is a good quality modern straight that wont have Mrs Big Paul throwing pans at me if she sees the bill ?

Any answers will be welcome and sorry for so many questions on my 1st post.

Hi and welcome to SRP.

I would recommend that you read the beginners articles on the front page of this site.
Some really useful stuff in there, they should answer most any questions you might have at this time in your straight razor career

Anyways, here are my takes on your questions:

1. No, you don't paste your daily driver, keep a strop with leather and fabric clean. This is what most use every day, without any kind of abrasives on them.
If you want a pasted strop(leather or some kind of fabric) then keep a separate strop for that, it will be used less often than the above mentioned strop.

2. experiment with the angles. No more than 30ish, but start lower and work your way up to a workable angle depending on direction of shaving stroke.
That means go lower on your xtg and especially on the ATG if you should choose to use that.

3. Steel handles age well No worries with the age, good steel is good steel.
The way you are treating them sounds just right to me. Do dry the oil off before stropping.

4. Yes, get them honed, that way you know what might be up if you don't get a decent shave from them

5. Dovo's, Böker's or Tiers issard are all good contemporary brands that won't break the bank

Good luck!

Hi, welcome!
Birnando said it all. All I'd like to add is NOT using them will damage them more than using them, if you get my drift...

Thanks for the replies guys I'm getting them honed and try again before buying new

To the excellent advice already given, I'd add reading Gssixgun's beginners' tips. Here's the link to this month's post: Straight Razor Place - Beginners Tips: March 2012

Good luck and have fun!

Vintage inheratence razors and no pics



Hello

Originally Posted by LameBMX

Vintage inheratence razors and no pics



Hello

Yeah, what's with that?

I'm at work at moment but will put some on later sorry guys

You're gonna let WORK interfere with this? Get your PRIORITIES right MAN!!!