Did I make a good buy?

Hello All!

First of all I am David and from SC. I am a newbie to these forums, and its unfortunate that I found this razor place after I bought my first straight razor hours ago. Since buying my razor, I have read the buying straight razor guide. I didn't ask the seller any questions that were mentioned in the guide either and I think I will have to get it honed. I just bought the razor at face value ($55) because it was old and 'looked' like it was in fantastic condition -and then I saw the guide. So my question for you guys, think I made out alright for a first straight razor? Any info on this specific type of razor? I also now notice the "crack" on the tail, I hope its a cold-shut. Authenticity of statements that are provide below? :


Shumate straight razor No. 256 9/16" full hollow ground


This razor is no older than 1904, that being the year Shumate moved from Texas to St. Louis.
It appears it would take very little to bring this razor back to perfect condition.
The razor is used, but very lightly, and is in fantastic condition, as you can see. The box, while original, is far from mint, but has a great shabby chic look to it. There is some very old cellophane tape holding it together at one end.

Attachment 215399Attachment 215400Attachment 215401Attachment 215402Attachment 215403









Thanks for any insight,

-David

Hard to tell about the crack. Only see it in one photo. Can you take better photos of both sides of the tang. Other wise the razor looks clean and needs a professional hone. We are not allowed appraisals but all I can say is I would have spent less. That is me. We all have our limits. Welcome and good luck.

Welcome to the forum, David.

Yes, the razor is in great condition, but you want to have it honed as it wouldn't have a good edge. From the first picture I'd be concerned about that uneven white line along the edge as it could be indication of problem, but Shumate have good reputation and quality control so chances are you'd be fine. But only because it's a very good brand vintage razor - on lesser brand or some of the modern production I'd be much less optimistic.

I don't see a crack on the tail, looks like some pitting to me, but I wouldn't worry about it.

Interesting wood on the scales. Does anyone know hat kind of wood that is?

It's not a wood, but plastic imitation of palmwood.

Thanks gugi. I ran across some wood a few weeks ago that's the same. Try to find a picture :-)

Here's the wood mentioned. Very nice!

If you shop around longer & just take your time, you can get a nice Shumate for less but you didn't do too bad for your first straight razor purchase compared to some I've seen in the past. I wouldn't have paid that much but for your first, I wouldn't say it was a bad deal. Like I mentioned, I have seen worst buys by first time buyers. I have some nice Shumates that I paid less for. It's just a matter of being there at the right time. I would get it pro honed like Gigi mentioned & after awhile, get yourself a second one, possibly one already shave ready. You can get a very nice quality, new, Ralf Aust from SRD for around $103 plus Lynn hones & strops each one before it goes to it's new home. All you have to do is get it out & use it, then strop it afterwards. You will also get a free honing (one time deal) for when it needs it. I need a new eye exam plus new lenses in my eyeglasses so I didn't see any crack. From now on, take your time, be frugal & shop around but should you decide to go for the Ralf Aust at SRD, you won't be disappointed.
The wood scales are plastic as previously mentioned.

I agree that I would not have paid that much for that blade... but with that said, Shumate makes a good blade. Once honed properly, it should give you many years of excellent shaves!

Welcome to the addiction. :)

You did fine on that purchase. When you first start looking, the first thing you notice is all the prices in all the online shaving stores. It makes you think that they are all worth hundreds of dollars. After you watch for a while and see other sales, you will get a better idea of what they sell for. You did not get taken for a ride. That should be a great one once honed.

You will be fine. It's odd, but there are very few bad American made razors. Despite the cachet of European stuff, most of the American razors shave just as well and tend to be much cheaper. There are no apparent issues with the spine or the edge so it should hone up just fine. The crack in the tail is quite odd, but it does not extend to the other side so it should be fine. If you are going to have a crack in ANY part of a straight razor, the tail is the best option!

Now, on to the other stuff.

You absolutely positively need a decent strop. Now. A straight razor's edge must be re-aligned with stropping. That is, with proper stropping. Bad stropping can have the opposite effect and trash an edge surprisingly quickly.

You need to have your razor honed. If you are smart, you will have someone else do it the first time. That way you can see how the razor works for you. Like riding a bike, it won't be pretty on the first try. Read the beginner's section for a lot of tips on what to do and not do.

You do not need hones yet.
You do not need hones yet.
You do...hopefully get the point. Don't jump into the deep end of the pool yet. See if the razor is something you want to stick with or not. The reality is that a lot of people fall in love with the concept but don't want to bother with the effort. It is effortless for me NOW but it took quite a while. Some people just don't want to go through that process.

If you might be one of them, consider a safety razor. It is much less effort to maintain, as in just changing blades (that only cost 10 cents).

Whether you stick with the straight or decide to move to safety razors or descend back to the depths of depravity and use a cartridge razor, consider trying q decent brush and a good soap. Any shaving method will work better if you put in the effort to make a better lather.

End of lecture. Good luck and have fun with your Shumate and welcome to a great forum!

Of all the replys you've gotten, you need to listen to Utopian. He is the one thats correct.

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Originally Posted by bouschie

...Can you take better photos of both sides of the tang.....

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I cannot, I ordered it off the internet -its en route.

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Originally Posted by gugi

...From the first picture I'd be concerned about that uneven white line along the edge as it could be indication of problem, but Shumate have good reputation and quality control so chances are you'd be fine.....I don't see a crack on the tail, looks like some pitting to me, but I wouldn't worry about it.

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I think now after looking at the pictures, it is a piece of hair and not a crazk. I hope so. I hope the unevenness (white line) will be manageable with a good hone.

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Originally Posted by engine46

...I would get it pro honed like Gigi mentioned & after awhile, get yourself a second one, possibly one already shave ready. You can get a very nice quality, new, Ralf Aust from SRD for around $103 plus Lynn hones & strops each one before it goes to it's new home....

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I was thinking of a Dovo, but those razors look pretty good too! ARRRRGGGGHHHHH the decisions. I guess I also need to find a local honer >.<

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Originally Posted by Utopian

You will be fine. It's odd, but there are very few bad American made razors. Despite the cachet of European stuff, most of the American razors shave just as well and tend to be much cheaper. There are no apparent issues with the spine or the edge so it should hone up just fine. The crack in the tail is quite odd, but it does not extend to the other side so it should be fine. If you are going to have a crack in ANY part of a straight razor, the tail is the best option!

Now, on to the other stuff.

You absolutely positively need a decent strop. Now. A straight razor's edge must be re-aligned with stropping. That is, with proper stropping. Bad stropping can have the opposite effect and trash an edge surprisingly quickly.

You need to have your razor honed. If you are smart, you will have someone else do it the first time. That way you can see how the razor works for you. Like riding a bike, it won't be pretty on the first try. Read the beginner's section for a lot of tips on what to do and not do.

You do not need hones yet.
You do not need hones yet.
You do...hopefully get the point. Don't jump into the deep end of the pool yet. See if the razor is something you want to stick with or not. The reality is that a lot of people fall in love with the concept but don't want to bother with the effort. It is effortless for me NOW but it took quite a while. Some people just don't want to go through that process.

If you might be one of them, consider a safety razor. It is much less effort to maintain, as in just changing blades (that only cost 10 cents).

Whether you stick with the straight or decide to move to safety razors or descend back to the depths of depravity and use a cartridge razor, consider trying q decent brush and a good soap. Any shaving method will work better if you put in the effort to make a better lather.

End of lecture. Good luck and have fun with your Shumate and welcome to a great forum!

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As far as honing goes, I feel as If I have some relatively above par sharpening skills. Growing up I was always sharpening my hunting/pocket knives, and I have recently taken into the art of whittling and maintaining those knives are tricky. I just need to obtain the right grit whetstones. Ill still check locally first with the hone and see their prices for a hone first.

Yeah, I have yet to buy the strop and maintenance supplies. I think I need to work on that. I have been using a shavette for about a week now and its subpar (knicks, razor burn), Im guessing its because of the derby blades/inexperience. So far I LOVE LOVE LOVE the whole process. Here is the brush/soap kit that I bought. Here is the shavette. I think eventually I will need to try new soaps/brushes and ultimatelly a new straight razor(besides the vintage Shumate). I was thinking Dovo, but sounds like Engine46 swears by the Raulf Aust. I am now thinking I need to look up some great American blades, I LOVE LOVE LOVE buying USA made stuff. Hell I just may stay with vintage blades.

Thanks everyone for the comments about the newer blade!

-David

Rather than buying a single whetstone specific for your razor yet, you would be better off having it honed just the first time by someone else who knows what they are doing. That way, you can eliminate the variable of an improperly honed razor in your learning to shave and strop.

There have been MANY people who have come here confident in their knife honing skills and state variations of "sharp is sharp and I know and can do sharp." Usually they end up quite surprised about the differences when that sharp thing is going on their faces and they find that sharp ain't sharp and really ain't comfortable.

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Originally Posted by dghardyjr

I guess I also need to find a local honer >.<

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That would be your best option. Hands on and in person is very helpful. Plus you get to try, or at least see, other equipment before buying it online.

Where are you located? If you change your settings to include your location, you may be notified of local meet-ups near you. It also helps for others to offer you help in this thread so at least post here what your location and someone may pipe in and invite over for some help.

Alternatively, you can do an advanced search in the member's list for others near your location.

Yeah Shaun, I said he didn't do bad. I mentioned I wouldn't pay that after all the straights I've seen on eBay. I've seen some nice ones slip by w/o a bid & they weren't that high either. Some people might be watching them & get distracted when the auction ends. A good example is my dog always seems to want some attention right at the wrong times. The phone could ring or a knock at the door. Good deals get missed often but the seller will re-list & it will sell. That's usually how it goes. No, he didn't do bad. Once honed, it should be a superb shaver. I once spotted a crack in a blade & I politely told the seller but he replied with a FO! Some people don't care & just want the money while others want the money but don't really know what they have & will think they have a gold mine. :shrug:

Im near Charleston, SC.

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Originally Posted by dghardyjr

Im near Charleston, SC.

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Here's a list of users from Charleston
http://straightrazorpalace.com/membe...sername&order=

Straight razor honing can be very different from knife honing, we use very little pressure and up to and above 12k grit rating to finish the edge. It would be best to find a mentor for honing, it helped me GREATLY

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Originally Posted by Kristian

Here's the wood mentioned. Very nice!

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The wood on the top of the bell looks like Zebra wood. It could be something else but Zebra wood is a good guess. Go to Woodcraft.com and check their pen making supplies.

Advice on this forum is some of the best , only problem is you can't make someone listen, knife sharp ain't an issue, I've been honing knives for 50 years , but that ain't anything, remember we have guys who sharpen tools , some professionally who learn the hard way, myself I can hone a knife with anyone, I still don't hone razors , it's cheaper to maintain a couple blades by sending them out. But hey it'll be a learning experience for you. Tc