Thread: Hey Everyone!

Hey all.
Well, I don't have a straight razor yet; I'm in the process of research.
For some reason, I'm drawn to nostalgic stuff.... Old motorcycles, watches, anything vintage.
In fact, I finished rebuilding a 1976 Honda CB750 this year.

Anyway, I've been digging into straight razor info and stumbled across this forum.
Most other forums I've been a member of, noobs get flamed by people with knowledge, so I'll try not to ask too many stupid questions.
I'll give everyone the benefit of the doubt at this point

Anyways, I was talking to my dad today about straight razors.
He said when he was in high school, he used to work with my grandfather at a company called "Illinois Razor Strop Company".
I gave my grandfather a call today to pick his brain, and he said he might have a razor or two for me.
He wasn't sure what he had (he's a bit older and fuzzy on stuff now), but he said he had some "German razors".
Wish me luck.....

Do any members on here offer restoration or honing services?
If any of these hand me downs are worth restoring, I might want to go that route.

Thanks guys and gals!

Hello and welcome!

You're in luck on both the razors and the honing/restoration. Check the member services section in the classifieds forum for people offering honing service. Depending on your location you may even find someone within driving distance willing to show you a few things.

Originally Posted by OpTiCz

Hey all.
Well, I don't have a straight razor yet; I'm in the process of research.
For some reason, I'm drawn to nostalgic stuff.... Old motorcycles, watches, anything vintage.
In fact, I finished rebuilding a 1976 Honda CB750 this year.

Anyway, I've been digging into straight razor info and stumbled across this forum.
Most other forums I've been a member of, noobs get flamed by people with knowledge, so I'll try not to ask too many stupid questions.
I'll give everyone the benefit of the doubt at this point

Anyways, I was talking to my dad today about straight razors.
He said when he was in high school, he used to work with my grandfather at a company called "Illinois Razor Strop Company".
I gave my grandfather a call today to pick his brain, and he said he might have a razor or two for me.
He wasn't sure what he had (he's a bit older and fuzzy on stuff now), but he said he had some "German razors".
Wish me luck.....

Do any members on here offer restoration or honing services?
If any of these hand me downs are worth restoring, I might want to go that route.

Thanks guys and gals!

Welcome to SRP!

Here is the classifieds section that KenWeir mentioned:

Member Services - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

Where are you located? That might help narrow the field in terms of folks you would want to contact. If we have an idea where you are, we might be able to be more specific with recommendations and possibly suggest a local mentor to guide you.

As you'll be dealing with older razors (and BTW German blades can be among the best, depending on the manufacturer) you will either be looking at a full restoration or a more straightforward honing to get them shave-ready. Once you have them in hand, post some pics and I'm sure you will receive plenty of advice. In a nutshell if the blade is not badly rusted, chipped, or cracked and the scales are intact, you *may* have a usable razor with just honing. That's the best-case scenario. Worst case is that the blades are either too far gone to be restored, or you're looking at a full-on restoration. That will take time, skill, and therefore $$. However, to have an heirloom like that returned to use would (to me at least) be priceless!

Best of luck, and don't worry about asking questions. This is a very welcoming place full of helpful people.

Here are some great places to start learning:

Beginner's guide to straight razor shaving - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Frequently Asked Questions - Straight Razor Place Wiki

First straight razor shave - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Straight Razor Place Wiki - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Good luck!

I guess it would help if I completed my profile
I'm about 40 miles West of Chicago, IL.

Thanks for all the great info!
A question I did have to get started.....
Should I buy a new razor as a beginner, or is it OK to use an older razor, assuming it's in proper shape and sharpened?

Thanks again!
Mike.

Older razors are perfectly fine as long as they're properly honed. Same basic rule as a new razor

Not really, it just took less time to type what I said

Edit: oh and to the OP, don't worry about people trolling the new guys here, it's a very friendly & helpful bunch!