Hello from Northern Alberta Canada

I live in Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada. It's an oil and logging town. I, personally am working as a cabinet maker. I enjoy bow hunting and have a Blue Heeler that is our fourth child. We have a lot of fun with him.
I have been considering straight razor shaving for some time and have now taken the steps toward doing it. Right now I am awaiting the delivery of a 2/8 razor from Thiers Issard in England. I decided to get this because I have a partial beard and I am a glutten for punishment and challenges. My family plan to get me a 6/8 Thiers Issard shaving set for my birthday.
Being new to this aspect of grooming I have many questions and much to learn. Being an avid advocate of having sharp knives, I was wondering how many strops one needs in the pursuit of a good edge? And what is the purpose of the linen/fabric webbing of the strop? Do or can you apply diamond paste to it as well as the leather?
Well that's a start. I look forward to hearing from the many members of this elite group that I have joined and value all advice given.Attachment 102110

Welcome to SRP.
I only have two leather strops, and two fabric, but I'm fairly sure it's considered a low count.
The fabric strop is generally more for cleaning the blade, getting last bits of soap and skin off, before taking it to the leather at least as far as I understand it.
If I'm wrong, maybe we'll both learn something.

Welcome aboard! How's the situation for refer mechanics up there? :D

1) 2/8, probably not a great idea.. 4/8 is about as small as I'd go with. 5/8 is also good for detailed work as long as it's a spike point
2) 1 strop to keep the edge aligned, 1 pasted PADDLE strop (or bench hone) with diamond or chromium oxide to maintain the edge and give it an extra polish every 5-15 shaves (depending on your stubble), you can substitute it for a finer hone (15,000+ grit)
3) Linen supposedly warms up the edge so it's more receptive to leather honing - you will hear many opinions on this topic. I do it anyway since mine came with nice linen. Do not paste it and do not paste the hanging leather strop unless you know EXACTLY what you're doing with it (and have an unpasted one too)
4) Pastes are good for touchups and to make the edge even sharper after you've already made'em shave-ready with 4000/8000. Diamond gives you a harsher edge than chromium oxide (which I use in 0.5 micron)

Welcome to the forum. Wow, a lot of Alberta people seem to be taking up the sport lately and that is a good thing. I can only echo what FiReSTaRT has said. I would be very careful using a blade with a spike point as they can bite more easily than a round point if your attention wonders. I have had that happen, lesson learned. I get by easily with one leather 3 inch wide hanging strop with attached felt strop. For refreshing the edges I get by with a 3000/8000 Naniwa combo stone and a balsa stop pasted with chromium oxide as a finisher. I will add a coarser and finer hone eventually but the 3000/8000 serves very well, so no hurry there.

Bob

Thanks FiReSTaRT and BobH. Your advice has been noted. Both of the razors have rounded ends, I figured I'd play it safe for now. Any suggestions as to the type of leather one should be using for each task? Does it make a difference? Ie: Cow, calf, horse.

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Originally Posted by allthingsnew

Thanks FiReSTaRT and BobH. Your advice has been noted. Both of the razors have rounded ends, I figured I'd play it safe for now. Any suggestions as to the type of leather one should be using for each task? Does it make a difference? Ie: Cow, calf, horse.

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What matters is that it's smooth and has the right consistency. Better to get one from a reputable source. The only stropmaker whose product I've tried (and was HIGHLY satisfied with) has a huge backlog, so it would be better for someone else to chime in on another source.

Sorry no suggestions as to what type of leather. Only have one strop and too new to really have an opinion. I just went with 3 inch bridal leather as it sounded good to me. Poor way to do it but it seemed to work out OK.

Bob

Hey, welcome to SRP

The TI blades certainly have allot of fans but if you have a 6/8 razor you'll do fine. A 5 or 6/8 is a good every day shaver other sizes are good to play with once you have some experience (on a side note these are the only two I use so far). I heard you say your getting a 6/8 set from TI... if you love the razor then this isn't a bad way to go I just wouldn't want to see you kick yourself later, many people here prefer the idea of having different kinds of razors to play with but to each their own.

For the strop any leather will do as long as it's smooth, for a beginner (again what I use too) a 3" paddle strop or boarded strop works great, heck you wanna spend a few extra bucks get 2 and get one of those bad boys with some chromium oxide on it to "freshen it up". Most importantly technique is going to be your friend in stropping, some good videos on here. I've been shaving for 7 months and my edge is just starting to get a little dull and I'm thinking of getting a new strop to put some paste on. I can suggest a great vendor, classicedge.ca Phil is a true professional and will help you out, he sells some inexpensive boarded strops that work really well (and some more expensive hanging strops if your so inclined but you don't need em').

Lastly make sure wherever you are getting your razor from it comes shave ready, I also take pride in sharp knives and realize the important, the one I use on my face I certainly take good care of so to start make sure it's properly been sharpened (Phil also offers this service) then being someone who's sharpened knives before think about getting a stone to maintain that edge. Like I said I am at 7 months and I'm just looking at touching mine up with some paste I figure I got a month or 2 before I need to worry about resharpening it a 3000/8000 or Norton 4000 / 8000 are solid choices but you probaly have a while before you need them. I know if I had mine already I would have been tempted to use it prematurely. Patience is the name of the game, lots of great advice on here for sure.

Finally yeh you can apply paste to your linen if you want but generally I hear balsa board is recommended if you want to go diamond paste. Me I will stick with chromium oxide as I think the diamond is too touchy and easy to over sharpen the blade with while CO is pretty idiot proof (which is welcomed by this idiot :))

Anyways enjoy your adventure and come on here anytime for advice and you may get some conflicting opinions but always solid advice.

Wow great advise. I can hardly wait to get started. When I get my razors I'll post pics and let y'all know how much of my own skin is left after the first shave. :D
I'm also waiting to receive my Wicked Edge knife sharpener, which I have watched a video of the owners sharpening and stropping a straight razor. VERY sharp! For sure I'll get some CrOx to tame it down.
I look forward to the adventure and with fellow colleagues like yourselves a guy can't go wrong.

It's definitely a very helpful and friendly bunch here they have helped me along the way quite a bit. Good luck with your upcoming first shave.

I have to admit this is the first time I have heard of using the Wicked Edge knife sharpener on a straight razor. I think I found the demo video you were talking about too. I guess it would work but seems a little complicated though for just a straight razor.

Speaking of first shaves, I would take a look at some of the articles in the "Helpful Links" section. I believe the recommendation is to go slowly and only shave from your side burn down to jawline on one side and finish with your normal method of shaving at first. You add other areas as you get comfortable with using a straight. Shaving your entire face the first time round is not really recommended but it can and has been done. I don't think I would advise that though.

Bob

I received my first straight razor yesterday. I was wondering what size this would be called? I had ordered what they called a 2/8, so I was expecting a 1/4 inch wide blade. I'm not disappointed by what I've got but just wondering?
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"Widths and grinds

The width of the blade is traditionally measured in 8th (or 16th) of inch (a inch being equal to 25.4 mm). For instance, a razor with an 18 mm large blade is called a 5/8. Width vary from 3/8 to 8/8 (9.5 to 25.4 mm) or even 9/8, with 5/8 and 6/8 blades being the most common. "

From the Wiki: the Straight Razor

From the pics, it looks like a 3/8 half hollow. What's this Wicked Edge sharpener? I'm going to have to google this, but my first instinct has made my stomach roll over.

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Originally Posted by Maxi

From the pics, it looks like a 3/8 half hollow. What's this Wicked Edge sharpener? I'm going to have to google this, but my first instinct has made my stomach roll over.

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The following is the address for a video of Clay sharpening and stropping a straight razor. Although I am going to learn to use a strop and get myself a honing stone or two.
Videos - Sharpening a Straight Razor

I do have my Wicked Edge Pro Set and it does put a very sharp edge on a blade even with the 1000 diamond hones. Have to add the ceramic hones and additional strops for an even sharper edge. But I digress.

I am going to order the Modular Paddle from the Strop Shop along with some Chr Ox. The set comes with .5 diamond spray.

Tried a first shave this morning. All in all it went pretty good. I do need to have a strop to get a better edge as the blade quickly seemed to pull. Drew a little blood but still have all my facial flesh. :) Looking forward to this journey.

Another newbie here, Allthingsnew. Many thanks for asking these questions. There is a lot of helpful information in the responses.

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Originally Posted by allthingsnew

Being an avid advocate of having sharp knives, I was wondering how many strops one needs in the pursuit of a good edge? And what is the purpose of the linen/fabric webbing of the strop? Do or can you apply diamond paste to it as well as the leather?

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Welcome to SRP. Razors the quality of TI's will be easily maintained with a plain leather/linen strop combination. The linen component is partially sacrificial to protect the leather but it will clean & burnish the edge some. If you have an expensive leather strop linen makes a lot of sense.
You do not apply abrasives to your basic daily strop. That falls more into the realm of sharpening/refreshing in which case you need some dedicated strops. Diamond sprays on hard felt are popular but the principle about cats & skinning them applies here too.
I'd sugest you use the small trimmer for it's intended purpose. The 6/8 will be easier for a full shave but otherwise enjoy the challenge.

Well I received my first hand made Damascus 6/8 razor.

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I have yet to shave with it. Supposed to be shave ready but as I have been reading in other blogs that has many meanings to many people.

I also got a paddle strop (Lynn's specials) with many pieces. I have a wool pad with 1.0 diamond spray, another with 0.5 diamond spray and a rough leather with Chr Ox. Did I do right?

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I am waiting for some hones. Question: If you hone a razor with tape on the spine what do you do when you strop?

I forgot to mention that the Damascus is made from 15N20 and 1095 steel. I bought it on e-bay from tonbo68.

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Originally Posted by allthingsnew

I forgot to mention that the Damascus is made from 15N20 and 1095 steel. I bought it on e-bay from tonbo68.

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Umm...I don't know anything about that seller but...most experiences have been that any of the damascus blades purchased on ebay aren't really up to snuff...hope it works out for you :gl:

Several folks are doing their best to not offend you in this thread, but in the interest of being direct:
It's possible that the honing jig system you've purchased, as well as the pattern-welded razor will prove me wrong, but these types of things are generally a waste of money for new guys who want to learn to shave with a straight razor. Pattern-welded custom razors cost a lot of money. At least several hundred dollars, and commonly over $1000. I don't mean that this one can't possibly shave - it's just about the same likelyhood that you just happened to find a guy who makes quality handmade longbows and sells them for $15 each on eBay so that he can break into the market. Possible, but... Plus, the fit and finish aren't very good from the pictures you posted. The sharpening jig probably does a bangup job on knives, but it's different than what every established razor honer on this site uses. The idea is about polishing an incredibly sharp blade, not just sharpening it. Plus razors have a built in guide, so you don't need a jig. Again, you might have found the best new thing since sliced bread, but the chances of that and the razor being a diamond in the rough as a new person to this hobby... not so good. You're thowing around a fair amount of money here, and could be buying the right, tried and true things instead. You are, of course, free to find your own way, but many have tried and end up buying the right stuff later, and I'm just trying to save you the frustration.

The TI razors are a very good brand, though. 3/8 is a little small, but it's a quality razor. Oh, and the modular strop is good stuff, too!

From the description of this damascus razor it could be one of the Pakistan made ones on eBay.
There was a thread on these last year :
http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...-any-good.html

In answer to your tape question. Just strop without tape. A single layer will not require replacing pre stropping as give in the strop or leather itself will compensate for the 0.5 - 1º the tape adds.