Thread: Just ordered my first straight.

I pulled the trigger and went with
Thiers-Issard Eagle Brand Straight Razor 3/4" - 7/8" blade Red Staminawood Handle France - Knifecenter.com

Also ordered all the extras.
I tend to get my self in over my head on a regular basis, so I figured Id register here and get to learning during the wait before I attempt to not lose an ear.

Hopefully Ill stick with it because as I reach 40 years of age I find shaving with a mach3 just does not cut it any more. I used to get a quick easy shave with them and now it is like planing a brick with a blade made from rubber.

I am an obsessive collector also, so I wanted to pick up a blade that has some style to it, and I absolutely fell in love with the look of this model. Hopefully it will serve me well. I know there are lovers and haters for every type of razor, but it seems like this particular brand name has served many very well.

I also ordered my first razor (a basic TI) from that site and actually had my eye on that model for a while now. Just make sure you send it off to a professional to be honed. You can find many on this site that offer that service. This is important as it will not come shave ready. That said welcome aboard and that it way to nice a razor to start off with so if you want you can ship it to me and I'll ship you back a more basic razor suitable for a first straight.

Good point. I had originally intended on honing it my self. I own a machine shop so it is not something Im not familiar with. But I think Ill pick up a cheaper blade to practice with first.

So who does everyone send their blade to get honed? Or should I look for a local shop? I'm near Austin Texas.

Originally Posted by Ibreakstuff

Good point. I had originally intended on honing it my self. I own a machine shop so it is not something Im not familiar with. But I think Ill pick up a cheaper blade to practice with first.

So who does everyone send their blade to get honed? Or should I look for a local shop? I'm near Austin Texas.

I don't know of any shops that actually hone razors, I know there's knife shops out there that say they will but from what I've heard they are a waste of time and money, look on the classifieds here under services and you will see dozens of highly skilled members that offer this service. Lynn (founder of SRP) springs to mind for me. He has honed several of my razors and to me is the best base mark for what a razor should be but there are countless others that also do a great job.

That is a nice razor and will last you a lifetime as long as you don't "practice" your honing with it. I HIGHLY recommend sending it to one of the members in the classified's for it's initial honing. Then you will have a reference when you are learning to hone on a cheap razor you find off the bay or at your local antique shops. Look in the wiki for the razors to avoid though, they made the list for a reason. Typically, any of the old razors from Germany or England (solgen or sheffield) will be safe ones. You would again probably be ahead by finding a cheaper razor off the classified's.
Best of luck & God bless,
Scott

Good looking razor, and welcome. You have found a great bunch of folks here. I just wished I had found them before I started ordering stuff, would have saved a bit of $$s on some cheap stuff.

All that said, yes, I would go to the classifieds here and find a vintage razor. You will get it most likely shave ready. If it say's shave ready here on the classifieds I would trust it as such. You can pick one up here worth the money, and would be a good one to practice your honing skills. Honing a razor and a knife are a bit different from what I hear....will find out soon myself. And that will give you time to get your new one professionally done and you can start your journey down the SR road.

As I said, welcome....and enjoy the ride....

Well I got the razor about 2 hours ago, and had my first shave with a straight.
It was pretty good. The razor came shave ready and I stoped it 30 times and then tried it out. I was surprised that even with 5 days of growth it went through like butter.

I did not take the beginners advise and I shaved my whole face WTG and then finished ATG with a mach 3.
I did not get one cut, so I guess watching the videos helped me.

I focused on the blades angle to my face rather than anything else and that seems to have been the key as I went around the curves

I'd still recommend sending it off to get honed by a someone in the classifieds. I doubt it came from a knifecenter honed as a straight razor needs to be.

If you want to hone yourself, get a cheep blade to practice on from ebay or whipped dog to learn with.

markevans speaks truth. That razor is probably no where near being shave-ready. You'll be amazed at the shaves when it comes back. Not everyone sends out their razors for honing, however, it's recommended for the first time so that you'll have a razor to compare your own honing efforts to.

That's the same razor I started with and I recommend sending it out to be honed. The razor has a simile to the edge and needs a rolling X honing stroke. I say watch this :http://straightrazorpalace.com/video...eo-series.html part 9 has the rolling x honing method.