Thread: New guy here

Howdy, new here like most everyone in this area. Been interested in learning how to use a a cut throat for quite a while, but never knew where to begin. Fortuitously, I found a family heirloom razor and am wondering if anybody has any experience with the vintage. It come from the Dixie Manufacturing Co., Union City-Ga. Blue Steel Dixie Razors.

If any of you know anything about the razor or the company, I'd love to know more about its heritage and whether I should consider shaving with it.


Thank you!

I only know that they were once Union Cutlery, but that razor looks like it should clean up nice. It appears to have little hone wear or rust. An hour or two and some elbow grease could go a long way with a razor like that.

Your razor looks like its 1930-1950 range. One of the "experts" will chime in eventually.

Welcome to SRP. I have seen the Dixie razors around but do not have any first hand experience with them. All the vintage US razors I have and shave with are good shavers once properly honed. As noted above, some metal polish like MASS or Semichrome will bring that razor back to a shine. Sometimes a toothpick or super fine steel wool will help. Other members may pop in with some history behind your razor. Good luck.

Don't know alot about Dixie, but if it was mine I'd clean it up, hone it and shave with it and treasure it until its time to pass on in the family. Until you decide what to do with it put a little oil on the blade, etc. To prevent rust or minimize any that it might have already.

Here's a link to some info on how to clean up the old guy.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...wers-here.html

I've had a couple of Dixie Blue Steel razors. Both were good shavers.

I got one of those, I love it. Shaves very well. I am not thrilled about the translucent blue scales, but they are original so I kept them anyways.

Thank you guys.

From the advice I've received I think I'm going to clean up the razor and use it as my primary tool. Still trying to figure out what I "need" vs. want in the way of lather, brush, and strop. Not sure if I should make an investment now in something that will last me years, or go for middle of the road so that I don't ruin an expenisive tool.

FWIW:

Unless you have lots of spare cash, start with an inexpensive strop (Illinois, RupRazor, StarShavingSupplies, WhippedDog.com), an inexpensive brush, and a mid-price shaving soap (Proraso or similar, around $8 per tub).

You're sure to nick your first strop, many times -- it will hurt less with an inexpensive strop. You can graduate up later, and use 'strop 1' for travelling.

charles

PS -- I finally got some premium shaving soaps, and I think that Tabac _is_ nicer that Proraso. but I don't know if it's nicer than Proraso with some glycerin added. And if I didn't like Tabac's smell, it would have been a $20 mistake.

PPS -- I may be on the stingy side . . .<g>