Thread: First razor purchase

Originally Posted by Vegita182

thank you so much for the information. Do you know what kind of quality they were known for? I've not heard many people talk about them.

Google is your friend. Google the name.

Challenge was a top shelf cutlery house. I carry one of their pocket knives every day. NO junk ever went out their door.

Here's one made before 1899.

Wullie speaks the truth. That is a nice shaver!

I just can't wait to get it buffed up honed and ready to shave. it's going to take some practice but the journey is half the fun. I need pointed in the direction of a non extravagant get stuff done strop.

Originally Posted by Vegita182

I just can't wait to get it buffed up honed and ready to shave. it's going to take some practice but the journey is half the fun. I need pointed in the direction of a non extravagant get stuff done strop.

Tandy Leather Corp.

Originally Posted by Vegita182

I just can't wait to get it buffed up honed and ready to shave. it's going to take some practice but the journey is half the fun. I need pointed in the direction of a non extravagant get stuff done strop.

There are a few options. One strop I have seen recently is a beginner bench strop from GemStar Customs. Gssixgun (as known on the forum) I'm sure would answer any questions you may have. Looks easy to learn on, and the price is great. I have not used, but I'm certain from reading others experiences with his products that it is very high quality and will fit the bill until you are ready for something more extravagant.

If you want a hanging strop, Illinois 827, Star Custom are inexpensive quality options. Straight Razor Designs offers options of hanging strops, and also a modular paddle with a few different pieces included at a great price. I have a black latigo and a Roo strop from SRD, and both are great.

Good luck!

Originally Posted by EdG

There are a few options. One strop I have seen recently is a beginner bench strop from GemStar Customs. Gssixgun (as known on the forum) I'm sure would answer any questions you may have. Looks easy to learn on, and the price is great. I have not used, but I'm certain from reading others experiences with his products that it is very high quality and will fit the bill until you are ready for something more extravagant.

If you want a hanging strop, Illinois 827, Star Custom are inexpensive quality options. Straight Razor Designs offers options of hanging strops, and also a modular paddle with a few different pieces included at a great price. I have a black latigo and a Roo strop from SRD, and both are great.

Good luck!

you have saved me quite abit of research and mulling. I will probably order from gssixgun I'm buying everything a piece at a time have a baby on the way. DIAPERS!!!! lol. But thank you for pointing me in the right direction.

Haha... I can certainly understand the call for diaper help... gifts like that can be life savers!

As far as the budgetary constraints go, you could always make do with things you have around the house or can buy for $5 or less until you can afford a proper strop. Do a search on here for stropping with newspaper and you'll see what I mean. Another option is buy a 1.5" wide leather belt blank from a hobby store like Hobby Lobby or Michael's and use it for a strop (at least for a leather component). You may or may not have to treat it with neatsfoot oil, but it would do in a pinch. Sure, you'd have to really practice your X-strokes while stropping, but that's certainly not a bad thing as you learn a very valuable skill in the process. There are all kinds of ways to get by until the funds can replenish themselves.

If I had an extra strop that was in any kind of reasonable condition, I'd send it your way since I can remember what it was like to tighten the belt a bit with a new child on the way. Unfortunately, both of my previous strops have been designated as nostalgia only pieces.

Originally Posted by crouton976

Haha... I can certainly understand the call for diaper help... gifts like that can be life savers!

As far as the budgetary constraints go, you could always make do with things you have around the house or can buy for $5 or less until you can afford a proper strop. Do a search on here for stropping with newspaper and you'll see what I mean. Another option is buy a 1.5" wide leather belt blank from a hobby store like Hobby Lobby or Michael's and use it for a strop (at least for a leather component). You may or may not have to treat it with neatsfoot oil, but it would do in a pinch. Sure, you y'd have to really practice your X-strokes while stropping, but that's certainly not a bad thing as you learn a very valuable skill in the process. There are all kinds of ways to get by until the funds can replenish themselves.

If I had an extra strop that was in any kind of reasonable condition, I'd send it your way since I can remember what it was like to tighten the belt a bit with a new child on the way. Unfortunately, both of my previous strops have been designated as nostalgia only pieces.

I really like the michaels belt blank idea I'm going to see how much it's going to cost me for a good cleaning and hone. I sent it on its way to Robert Keyes to get it shave ready. Ill be sure to post after pics when he sends it back. And I completely understand the need for a few nostalgic pieces.

Yeah, they were kinda worn out when I got 'em and throughout my learning process, I think I did 'em in, with the exception of one of the linen components.

I'm definitely interested to see how you come out on the razor... heck, even on the strop too!

Originally Posted by crouton976

Yeah, they were kinda worn out when I got 'e s and throughout my learning process, I think I did 'em in, with the exception of one of the linen components.

I'm definitely interested to see how you come out on the razor... heck, even on the strop too!

I'll keep you updated, I'm at the hurry up and wait phase. I went to some local antique shops today looking around and found a handful of straights all with a fair amount of petina and some pitting one looked as though it had been sharpened with a cinder block. another had the stamp FACE SCRAPER on the tang lol.