Thread: Hello all from the snowly lands of Gent, Belgium!

Hello shaving fellows of the single blade,

I am new to this forum and am a relatively new straight razor shaver. I am an Italian Brit, born and raised in Kenya and Sri Lanka and currently residing in Belgium (the is more but very tedious to write, let alone read).

I have been shaving with a Dovo Shavette for near on 7 years (the last 4 of which I have been a regular Shavette shaver after I was treated to a Kent BK2 Pure Grey Badger Brush and a Kent Luxury Shaving soap.

Last week for my 30^th Bday I was given a Rasiermesser Wacker “Best Tradition” (or at least asked to choose a razor and I chose the aforementioned one). It is absolutely gorgeous but I realized straight away that it needs honing and stropping before I use it (just comparing the difference in blade sharpness between it and my favorite DE razor blades used in my shavette; the Israeli Made DE Razor Blades and Feather DE blades). This was confirmed by the many posts which seem to also suggest that new razors generally need to be honed and stropped before use.

From this forum I took on the recommendation and picked at random “Steve at The Invisible Edge” in the UK to carry out initial honing and stropping... or at least I will when I get a chance. I had to send old one back as the scales were not what were ordered but hopefully it will return to me by the end of this week. The blade looks gorgeous!

I also bought a loom strop which is un-pasted leather on one side and green pasted on one side (fine – which I can only imagine to mean the CrO compound and hopefully not the rough Dovo Green paste). Small but looking forward to giving it a go!

I apologize in advance for silly questions that may come up with regard to razor care.

Hope to post some pics when all arrives

Happy days,

Welcome to SRP!

The only silly questions are the ones you do not ask. You might want to check but there is a chance that the Whacker razor is shave ready or very close. It has been years since i handled a new one and it just needed a good stropping. But times change, folks with more recent experience will no doubt be better on that.

Straight razors are not as sharp as DE blades particularly the feather. they do not need to be.

Steve at the invisible edge is a good guy for honing in europe so is Neil at the strop-shop.

enjoy,
jim

Thanks for your reply and making me feel welcome Jim!

It gives me inspiration to write my first post; sharpness of straight razors compared to DE blades... unless i search something and find it first.

a presto,

Welcome to SRP. Lots of great info on the site. I am relatively new to this myself. Lots of great info and knowledgeable members to ease the learning curve.

Russell

Welcome to the forum. It looks like you are going to get fine edge put on your razor so it should be a pleasure to shave with when you get it back. Hope you enjoy shaving with it. If you are unsure of anything feel free to post a question the people on here will be sure to help. Boy, a lot of Europe is having a lousy winter, bet you miss the warmer climes right about now.

Bob

Hi Guys,

Russell, taa for the welcome message! I already feel like i am being looked after and i have only written an intro post! great forum!

Bob, Like you wouldn't believe! I just looked out of the window and the snow is falling from the heavens! haha! bizarre March!

I have to say, i have always been sceptical about joining forums and so have never really done it; but you guys have really changed my perception! lovely to be part of a community of people that share a passion!

Really looking forward to opening that box and listening to the sounds of bristles being cut!

We are having a normal March over here, just got 15cm/6 inches of snow the other day. All things considered it has been a pretty good winterthough. You have my sympathies.

Bob

Welkom to this place!