Thread: A new ebay find

Originally Posted by ferroburak

Hi,
I got this one off ebay:
STRAIGHT SHAVING RAZOR Russian "Stiz" 1955 USSR - eBay (item 280507363254 end time May-22-10 06:07:31 PDT)

Seller told me that it would not require honing. What do you think?

Thanks.

i think if you hone it the blade may dissapear

Being optimistic probably I will not be able to cut my face severely as a newbie

Originally Posted by ferroburak

Being optimistic probably I will not be able to cut my face severely as a newbie

You can cut far too much to your liking even with that one.

Smaller blades can shave as well as the bigger blades, but stropping takes a bit more care than bigger blade, hence the suggestion for newbies getting a 6/8 or 5/8 blade. (you did read the beginner's guide?)

Seriously, just stop buying off ebay until you know what you're doing - you might not be any closer to your first good shave, however many cheap blades you buy there. Many newbies have hard time learning on a good blade honed to perfection - it isn't getting any easier learning on a unknown blade honed by somebody who might or might not know what they a doing.

I'm not saying the blade you bought wouldn't be shave ready. It is if it shaves well with good technique and good prep.

As a suggestion, buy a shave ready razor and a known good strop from classifieds or a reputable vendor and you pretty much know you'll be getting something worth the money. Especially when you can combine postages and add soaps, brushes and other gear.

Originally Posted by ursus

You can cut far too much to your liking even with that one.

Smaller blades can shave as well as the bigger blades, but stropping takes a bit more care than bigger blade, hence the suggestion for newbies getting a 6/8 or 5/8 blade. (you did read the beginner's guide?)

Seriously, just stop buying off ebay until you know what you're doing - you might not be any closer to your first good shave, however many cheap blades you buy there. Many newbies have hard time learning on a good blade honed to perfection - it isn't getting any easier learning on a unknown blade honed by somebody who might or might not know what they a doing.

I'm not saying the blade you bought wouldn't be shave ready. It is if it shaves well with good technique and good prep.

As a suggestion, buy a shave ready razor and a known good strop from classifieds or a reputable vendor and you pretty much know you'll be getting something worth the money. Especially when you can combine postages and add soaps, brushes and other gear.

I haven't read beginners guide I will read it before using the straight razor. (I have no straights currrently.)

Btw I'm a SE shaver but acnes appeared on my face that's the basic reason I want to try straight razors

Originally Posted by ferroburak

I haven't read beginners guide I will read it before using the straight razor. (I have no straights currrently.)

Btw I'm a SE shaver but acnes appeared on my face that's the basic reason I want to try straight razors

The beginner's guide isn't just about how to shave, it's about what beginners need to know about straight razor shaving, what a sharp razor is, what the bits are called, how to buy them, how to care for them, what else do you need etc. It really should be the first thing for a newbie to read... and the next thing you read after this post.

Sorry for misunderstanding - you've posted several threads starting with "i got this off ebay ". What were those about then?

I hope you get help for your acne with the straights.

I'm in Turkey. They will arrive in a month, I guess. Meanwhile I'm chatting to learn more as I know only one person who has a collection of wetshaving razors (but not straights) in Turkey. I will print and read shaving wiki's before trying them on my face, for sure

I just go over wikis for now. I believe I will forget some of the info. till I get the razors..

Originally Posted by ferroburak

I just go over wikis for now. I believe I will forget some of the info. till I get the razors..

Good. There's probably lots of good information there that you might not remember/understand yet, but at least you know the overall shape of the whole thing and can go back to re-read and check things once you know where you can find them.

Ferro im a knife maker and just starting to play around with razors to see how they are put together pinned and peened checking clearances. Sharpening is a completely new ballgame. I have alot of expensive equipement and still had to go buy sharpening stones to hone. IM making my own stropping paddles And I think they will work good with .25 and .50 diamond paste.