Thread: A big hello from the southwest of England!

Hello everyone,

A little while ago i was thinking about straight razors so i thought i would do a bit of research and came across your forum, after trawing through the forum pages for quite a while i thought i will join up and here i am. I think there are a number of reasons why i would like to start shaving with a straight rather than a dispossable
like the more i read about the process and all of the other things that go with it the more im interested, another thing that a lot of people may not understand but for me a slight heritage aspect, althought chauvinistic its a lot more manly to get lathered up by a badger hair brush and hold something of craftsmanship, stunning looks and a leathaly sharp blade rather than a peice of preformed plasting with two little blades. Not to mention the shave results and treatment for the skin.

By closely reading reading many topics i have come to the conclusion this is the most helpfull and friendly forum i am yet to come across.
I have decided to take the plunge and to start shaving with a sraight razor but no matter what the interest or hobby i have always been very keen on making all the equipment that a can myself. In this instance i am deciding to go the whole way including a razor, I'm not going into the razor creation blind though as i am a hobbyist knife maker so im used to making a blade usually for a hunting or kitchen knife admitidly, working with carbon steels in this case 0-1 and the hardening and tempering processes.

I am not familier with the use of a hanging strop either so this is yet another thing im looking forward to as i have only used paddle strops on knives.

There is no doubt one or two people may answer some of the questions a have so untill then thank you for reading.

Best regards.

Hello and welcome!

Wow, I'm really surprised mine is the first reply. We have quite a few members in UK. Regarding your thoughts on making the razor, have you ever used or honed a straight before? I'd highly recommend you start by purchasing a razor that's been honed by an expert. In the first, you'll need to be able to shave well with one before you can tell much about how well you're honing the blade. In the second, you'll need to be able to hone well before making your own razor. The honing isn't really all that complicated, but it is very different from knives.

Welcome. I'll help with the steel questions as they develop. O-1 is a very good starters choice, and highly underrated by most modern knife makers. Some sort of round wheel will be essential eventually, but there are some mods to grinder platens that have been discussed here (for the grinder impoverished).

Hi Infinite,
Fellow Englishman here (from Lancashire). Im glad that you have said why you decided to join the forum and why you want to start shaving with a straight.... Because those are exactly my reasons for joining and starting my new hobby. Ive done a few posts and everyone seems really great... Its a great forum.
Really interested in seeing how you go making your own razor... Make sure you keep us posted sir!

Welcome to SRP. Enjoy the ride. The members here will help your journey and guide you through your rough shaves.

Infinite,

Welcome and hello from Hastings

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

Welcome to SRP

If your going to make your own razor may I suggest that you first purchase a vintage razor with a "wedge" grind. That will be your reference piece. Those have a single concave grind to them. That is a grind that you can duplicate on your own grinder. The "german" grind is a bi-concave ( 2 separate grinds) that is difficult to make.
Go to the forum called Workshop and start reading the threads. They will be helpful.
Mike Blue is perhaps the best resource you will find when it come to steels. He used to be in my area and I learned a lot from him.

Good luck

Hi everyone,

Thank you all very much for replying.

Mike Blue: Thanks, I get along with the steel really well so I thought (after making sure it was suitable) it makes sense to stick with what I know. I have had a look through some and obtained some ideas about the round grinder so I’m confident I am able to knock something up.

Tbert33: Thanks, when I’m in the workshop next I will take a few pics so I can put together a sort of portfolio to show others.

Randydance: Thanks, I appreciate your concern but I have already made a start. I have cut three razors from the steel (in case one or two go pear shape) and I have given them a wedge grind as my starting point. There are some interesting threads on that section which have answered a lot of my questions.

Best regards.