Greetings from London, Ontario, Canada (The "other" London)

Hi Everyone!

I'm not really "new" to the world of straight razor shaving as 20 years ago I managed to take a strip off my leg with one (scar is still there). A laser ensured I never did that again! So 20 years have gone by and now I have 2 teenage sons who are interested in straight razor shaving. For the record, they started this before the latest Bond movie... I found my old strop and a very rusty Henckel (which use to be my father's) and thought I'd join the forum to see what's new!

I like to "tinker" in my workshop so I wouldn't mind trying to restore and possibly even hone the old Henckel (eventually). Gosh gentlemen, from going through the site I see you do some BEAUTIFUL work! In the meantime, I'm looking for recommendations on straight razors my sons could possibly start with.

BTW: If this is a "gents only" club, you should probably let me know now...

Respectfully,
Maria

Welcome, as I'm still pretty new myself I can only tell you what I know and its not much. What I do know is the site is full of amazing people from around the world with a passion, for what you ask? To many thi things to write buy the main overall Passion/love/obsession is the art that is shaving with a proper razor,brush,mug or cup soap or cream and so on. As I mentioned the people, not to judge but to help assist guide, we learn from each other,and some learning curves are steeper then others as in my case. So man or woman makes no difference, read share learn enjoy.And hopefully pass a treasured pastime and art onto your children.
Respectfully
Christian

Welcome 1999saab!
Good to see another member so close by. :)
Hang out a while as there is an abundance of knowledge here. Its a bit of a learning curve but well worth the invested time.
There are things you can do to minimize initial investment to see if it suits before delving into the higher end products some of us enjoy and that would be my recommendation for your sons and yourself.
Best regards,
Mike

Thank you very much Mick! I will take your advice and most definitely visit the various forums you've suggested. The various choices of razors, hones, etc. are still a little overwhelming but I'm trying to learn. One thing I've definitely noticed is that there are some wonderful craftsmen on this site!

All you and the boys should need to start with is a razor each, share a strop for now perhaps, a shave brush each and the personal choice of shave soap/cream. You won't need to get any hones for now, but they are a handy thing to have around the time you start to get the shave down pat. A 12000 grit finishing hone for touching up the edge every few months would see most people with honing skill keep their razor on the money.
You asked for recommendations for razors in your first post, and we haven't said anything in response. Mainly it depends on what you want to buy, new or used. New, I would say find a Dovo or a Thiers Issard. Both are good brands, well respected etc. Another thing you could also look at if buying new is traditional carbon steel which most all razors come in, or an easier to care for Stainless steel. A bit harder to hone from what I've been told, but I recently honed a SS bladed razor and found it easy enough. However I may have just been lucky and it has only been the one.
You sound like your not afraid to get amongst it in the workshop, so I'm assuming you're a handy sort of a woman, so honing shouldn't be too difficult to pick up. Handy people seem to catch on to the knack of it pretty fast. Hopefully your boys are handy too, so that way you're not stuck with maintaining their razors as well :).


Mick

Thank you again Mick!

I'm an engineer by training. Two of my other hobbies are restoring vintage cars and wood turning (bowls, pens, etc.). I'm much happier in the garage or workshop than the kitchen... Luckily for my boys my husband was a fantastic cook so it all worked out.

First question: Should I assume most vintage razors are carbon steel unless it explicitly says stainless? Are there specific SS brands? Given the wet environment for razor use, SS does seem to be the way to go (unless I'm missing something?)

Second question: Is there a link on the forum listing common abbreviations? I've noticed many refer to various products by their initials and it becomes hard to follow sometimes...

Well, you are a handy lady then :). My long past military aptitude testing put me in a high bracket for engineering, but I was also a good shot and like being a Rifleman, so that's what I stayed for my term of service.


Anyway, to answer your questions, just assume all razors to be carbon steel and care for them accordingly. Stainless steel, as you would know will still rust, given too long without care, but they are easier in that if you forget or are a bit lazy about taking the extra few minutes to dry the razor blade off, it won't be as big an issue. Carbon steel will form rust in a very short space of time if left, a matter of hours. Stainless can go for a fair bit longer in a moist enviroment, but without a protective film on the steel like oil, it will rust eventually.
There aren't specifif SS brands, but brands like Dovo and TI produce a few SS razors in their line up. Carbon is the mainstay for a reason. Ease of honing and edge retention for one, toughness and resilience of the steel to 'spring' back into shape for another. SS tends to be of a more brittle, rigid nature.

Second question answer: Yes. Have a look up the top of the page and you will see the word 'Help' on the left hand side with a small down arrow (Just under the SRP Logo). In the drop down menu list, there is a link to the acronyms and abbreviations.


Mick