From Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

Hello All,

I am very new to the knowledge of using straight razors and have no practical experience as of yet. I am wanting to learn how to use a straight razor for a few reasons. The first being that it is that it is economically and environmentally responsible. The second is because it is an old process and I am learning a couple right now (the other one is film developing.


I purchased a couple straight razors from EBay and some supplies from a couple places and should have them in a couple weeks. I added everything I purchased below and would like to know if there is anything else I would need or if I should replace anything I did buy due to it not going to be a good idea.

Razors - I added the descriptions that ebay had
5/8" by Pack, Ohilger & Co
-Condition. Scales repaired, Little pitting including the edge, Little wear to the steel. No cracks couple or chips.
13/16" Crown and Double Wheel
- This cut throat razor has a 13/16” Hollow ground blade.
It has black celluloid scales with an integral spacer.
Engraved on the tang are the words “Real German Hollow Ground”
On the blade there is “The Crown & Double Wheel”

Hone
New Welsh Dragons Tongue Straight Razor Hone by Indigo Jones.
Manufactures Info
Indigo Jones & Co Ltd Groeslon Gwynedd Wales
Welsh Natural Slate whetstone! Size 8” x 2” x ½”
Approximate Grit rating 9k Similar to Belgian blue.
Economical finish hone.
Condition. New & boxed Lapped one side wet on 600 W&D includes rubbing stone

Strop
Illinois Razor Strop Co. 827 Imperial Russia Leather Strop

Fromm strop conditioner

Badger Hair brush

Thanks and I look forward to learning from you all,

Welcome to SRP!
So have you realized that most likely the razors are not shave ready and that the dragon tongue is not really a good choice to get them that way? sorry.
that strop is nice, i would advise waiting a while before adding any conditioner to it through, like a year or so. other than old vintage strops i have not used anything more than the oils on my hands to dress my strops. YMMV

The journey is the fun part, read the beginners wiki and ask questions. there are a bunch of you canadiens about as well for in country help.

enjoy,
jim

Thanks Jim for the suggestions. I will do some more research and find a better hone for doing the initial work.

Also to anyone else, is there a place in Saskatoon to buy good shaving creams/soaps?

For the intial work i would suggest you have send them out to be honed then the finisher will keep you in good shape for a real long time.

and i thought there was only two stores in canada.... Tim Horton's and Canadian Tire :rofl2:

sorry could not resist

jim

LOL, there are a couple more, mainly mom and pop shops :P

Welcome to SRP fellow Canadian!! The Crown and Double Wheel razor sounds nice if it's in good shape. Getting a good edge on eBay razors will definitely require more than a DT hone though. Your best bet would be to send them out to be honed as stated. Then the DT will work fine for edge maintenance after that. Otherwise the rest of your supplies sound like good buys.

For soaps and creams I doubt that there is anything in Saskatoon. The closest place would be a local place in Calgary here called Knifewear. They sell Japanese knives but they also have all sorts of great shaving supplies. The website is Knifewear - Knife Sharpening and Japanese Chef/Kitchen Knives - Calgary & Kelowna Canada. Give them a call and I'm sure they can get you set up with everything you need.

I hope you enjoy straight shaving. Just take it slow and relax.

Welcome from a member in Edmonton :)

Considering there are very little traditional shaving supplies to be found here I very much doubt there is much in Saskatoon. Shoppers Drug Mart carries Proraso and a couple other products though. Anyway, don't hesitate to ask any questions and have fun.