Hello a few questions from Massachusetts from another new convert...
Ok, So hello all I am John. I have used a de for a few months now, and it has changed my life, literally. I recently decided almost on a whim to buy a few straights, and see if I could sort of clean them up and maybe put them to use. I love the idea of being responsible for a tool, and of possessing a skill that is largely lost in these times. So thats why I would like to get going with a straight razor. Here are my questions. Where should I get a strop, and would one from an antique shop work? What should I expect to spend? I did buy 3 old blades, two Genco's and a Joseph Elliot. I bought a Genco that had a broken scale, then the second a close match that had a worse off blade but better scales figuring I could sort of make one useable razor from the two. Then theres the Elliot, its a frame back NOT a faux, but an actual two piece frame back, scales junk, blade dull as all heck, but smooth and to an amateurs eye just needs a hone, no chips, no rust, no pitting, actually rather beautiful, and rustic. I have not been able to find any thing quite like it, closest I found was that article by the judge with the black and white pictures, I think but the pictures are poor quality so hard to tell. This leads me to my next question. Whom shall I have hone this for me? Scales be damned, something about this razor speaks to me. And lastly would anyone have any idea of just what I have and perhaps a rough date? It reads, simply; the hallmark (c+c), Joseph Elliot (top), Silver steel (below). Pardon me if my lingo is off I'm new!!! Thanks in advance if anyone can or does offer, any help, or guidance.
