Thread: New Guy Needs Help

Hey everyone. I'm from Cedar Rapids, IA. I just recently acquired an interest in straight razors. I've not had much luck in the shaving department since I started shaving. I have curly hair and my beard follows suit. So I have a history of getting ingrown hairs, especially on my neck. I have tried everything I have come across from a vibrating blade to a rolling razor, to electric. Nothing has worked except buzzing my beard down and keeping a tiny bit of hair above the skin. However, you tend to get that craving to get that baby butt smooth feel on your face from time to time. I remembered my grandma cutting my hair when I was younger and she used to shave the back of my neck with a safety razor. I didn't ever break out from it so I figured I'd give straight razors a shot. I have been watching a lot of videos on shaving, stropping, and even making a good lather. Anyway I had done some research and found a pretty good deal on a razor starter set. I guess I was a little over zealous, because it was from GB Buckingham & Sons. A few days later I stumbled on this forum and found the brands of razors to avoid...Crap. Everything looks okay with the starter set except the razor can't pass the hair test. It's about pocket knife sharp, not shave ready. I guess what I'm getting at from this very long first post is...Could someone help me out please? Maybe point me the direction of some decently priced wet stones.

Thanks in advance, Ben.

I was in the same boat as you..bought a bad named razor as well. If you look in the honing section there will be about ten different stones and a hundred different opinions. Personally have been looking at the naniwa stones. Great reviews from a lot of people. Try looking at some of the honing videos as well since they all use different stones and get blades where they need to be. Your budget will be a factor as well.

Good luck

Check the classifieds for a shave ready razor, forget the Buckingham.

Welcome to the forums Ben! Sad to hear that your first razor you bough was on the avoid list. You are not alone, so don't worry. Now, first and foremost. You have no need to buy wetstones at this point. The razor you have would be a pain to hone for a pro..

What you would need to do now: Find a razor of good quality, good price, and shave ready. Look here, Straight Razors - Straight Razor Place Classifieds
There are always good deals showing up here.

Wish you the best of luck!



PS: If you can, post a picture of your strop...

The money you are going to spend getting the stones necessary to start you off would be better used getting a shave ready razor, IMO. Check the classified section as stated above, don't consider your purchase down the drain. When you start out restoring, polishing, pinning razors, ect. I am sure you will be glad you had made that purchase. Always good to have a blade you are okay will abusing.

Sorry I don't play the banjo. It was a nickname I got from an uncle when I was little. Thanks for all of the help. I'll try to get a picture up of the strop itself. I'm a little new at this so bare with me.

We were all new to this once Ben, so don't sweat it.
Welcome to SRP, by the way.
If you were intending trying to get the Buckingham sharp enough to shave with by getting hones - forget it - the steel is just not good enough.
There's a couple of threads in the honing forum on this very subject IIRC
If it were me, I'd get a shave ready blade from the classifieds and learn the various techniques involved in shaving, stropping and face prep for a few months before trying to hone.
The most important thing is that this is your journey - we just like to be able to help a bit where we can.

One more question. Would the strop be okay to use as long as I got some oil for it?

The strop may get you buy until you decide to buy a better one. Spend a few extra bucks and buy a shave ready blade instead of a set of hones for now. One of the first razors that I didn't hack myself up with when I was getting started was a 6/8 Dovo "Best Quality", not top of the line, but good steel. The extra weight and size of the blade helped me to refine my technique, and it's still in my rotation. It's the razor that I pack in my ditty bag when I am going on the road.

I get to ask the dumb question:

. . . Why not buy a DE razor and some blades?

Cheaper, and much easier to learn, than a straight razor.

And I support all those saying "Don't waste time and money on the Buckingham."

.. Charles