Thread: New face....

Hi all,
First off, WOW there's a lot of stuff (and people) on here. I'm up in York (U.K) in Gods own Shire of the same name! I guess I'll have a lot more lurking to do before I start posting. I know there's nothing worse than new folks asking questions that have been sticky'd left right and centre, but here's my first ask.
I just landed myself one of these. Apparently made by Otto birkhofen in 1939. It came up for grabs and is now awaiting a service to make it shave ready. Has anybody used blades by this maker and do they hold an edge well? Any comments on the photo gratefully received and I'm looking forward to joining in, as well as keepin' my face lookin' new!

G'Day and welcome Daz.
I don't have any info on that particular razor - looks like there's another one I have to buy.....
If it is made in Sheffield or Solingen it should be OK, though.
Nice looking piece.
Let us know how it performs when you get yourself sorted

Yes its made in Solingen and says so on it. Got the info from an old archive of Solingen Industries the Deutsches Reichs-Addressbuch (1900, 1914, 1920, 1925, 1928, 1930 and 1939 editions). I can see this is going to be a more absorbing subject than previously imagined. Kinda makes me wish I had more hair! and no I'm not bald...

Hi Daz. Welcome to SRP. Fellow UK member here from Bolton. I know nothing at all about your razor (just in my 3rd week shaving with a straight) but thought i would say hi and Welcome.

Thanks mate. Am holding off getting the razor up and running until I can afford a decent stone to maintain it with. Unfortunately as of next week due to managerial upheaval my job may not be so secure. Still I'm walking round talking and breathing with two of everything I should have. Patience is not a virtue, its a necessity

I have a Birko with a worked spine. It's a great shaver.

Originally Posted by daz101

Yes its made in Solingen and says so on it. Got the info from an old archive of Solingen Industries the Deutsches Reichs-Addressbuch (1900, 1914, 1920, 1925, 1928, 1930 and 1939 editions). I can see this is going to be a more absorbing subject than previously imagined. Kinda makes me wish I had more hair! and no I'm not bald...

And that sir... is why I have begun to call it my hobby LOL!!

It's great fun really! Welcome to SRP.

Originally Posted by daz101

Thanks mate. Am holding off getting the razor up and running until I can afford a decent stone to maintain it with. Unfortunately as of next week due to managerial upheaval my job may not be so secure. Still I'm walking round talking and breathing with two of everything I should have. Patience is not a virtue, its a necessity

Yup! Been there. There is a benefit to your situation though... kind of lol. If you go slow you'll learn your tools intimately. Well - that's the line I use on myself anyway lol.

Congrats on the blade. It looks lovely. I hope you learn to enjoy using your straight as much as I do... as we all seemingly do here on SRP .

Originally Posted by daz101

Thanks mate. Am holding off getting the razor up and running until I can afford a decent stone to maintain it with. Unfortunately as of next week due to managerial upheaval my job may not be so secure. Still I'm walking round talking and breathing with two of everything I should have. Patience is not a virtue, its a necessity

Fingers crossed and good luck for you about your job bud. Tough times i truly hope all goes well.

Hi Daz, and welcome! Sorry to hear of your job worries. So many of us have been there, or are there now. You'll find the shavers are a broad brotherhood.

I'm pretty sure we've got at least one other Yorkshireman here. Check out the meetup threads down in the Parlour | General Razor/Shaving Related Discussion | Get Togethers and Meetings. There are a couple of threads in there about UK meetups. If you can get to one of those, I bet someone will make your new blade shave-ready. Plus you'll learn stuff at least 10x faster than by reading and fumbling around on your own. That's how most of us started, or we fumbled around then started reading (that was my approach). Also, folks at the meeting can steer you towards a good hone of your own.

Best wishes to you, and happy shaving!

Welcome Daz, that is a very fine piece ya' got there. I don't know anything about this particular manufacturer, but if it's still in that shape after this long, it's gotta be quality steel I would think.