Thread: First razor - Sterling?

Hey guys. I have taken in interest to straight shaving. Was digging around on ebay and found this Sterling razor (no other markings) in good condition. Is this of suffecient quality to start with?

I can sharpen just about anything, so this will be honed and stropped before use.

Thanks!

Hi eod7. That razor (based on just this one picture) can certainly be made to shave, but has quite a bit of hone wear and possibly a "frown" in the edge that would need to be honed out. Hard to tell on that last part.

On the "sharpen anything" part, I'm sure you can, which will get you 25% of the way with a razor. The rest is about polishing the edge for a comfortable shave, and you really have to learn that part (which is specific to razors). I recommend buying a shave-ready razor from a known seller of shave ready razors to start.

Oh, and welcome to the forum!

+1 to that, alot want to start out as cheap as they can when getting their first razor so if they don't like it, then no big loss. However, if you don't get the razor honed right and hate the shave... operator error goes a long way in this, you may never know just how much you would have liked it. If you want to go as inexpensive as possible check out Whipped Dog Straight Razor Shaving Equipment, the razor might no be the prettiest, but I have heard nothing but great things about Larry, and he will answer any and all questions you might have. This way if you don't like the straights your only out about $70 for the razor and strop and balsa and paste...pretty darn good deal.
Welcome, and hope to see you around the forums.

I did not recognize the blade wear, I see it now. Still learning. Dunno if I'll keep it.

I picked up a Torrey with the correct round end (and not too much wear) I wanted and will probably send it to Whipped Dog for honing.

Amazing how cheap these old razors are.

Originally Posted by eod7

Amazing how cheap these old razors are.

Let me see you say that a year from now when you have forty others stashed around the house...

Back when I first came to this forum I was a 30 plus years Knife making veteran and straight razor user. I made the statement that I could hone anything and thought I had my razor sharp. I had no Idea just how sharp it could really get. It is good advice to send out your razor and practice with another until you can get a comfortable shave from it. You will know what a really sharp razor is from the one you send out. Even so, It will take some learning to get a smooth comfortable shave from it. Once you do, you will be hooked for life. Good luck, welcome to the forum and thanks for posting. Mack

Yes, I'm going to send the Torrey off and pick up a second one to practice honing on, just like you are saying.

Word to the wise. Start with a shave ready razor. Whether you buy it shave ready or send it off for a professional hone. I would send one off and then learn to hone later when you know how a razor should feel.

Nah, I have this old drill chuck sharpening stone for my lawnmower that should sharpen a razor right up. I bet it'll crank out a shave ready razor in 30 seconds. You guys just wait, you'll be jealous you didn't think of it. *







* I'm going to send my new razor off for professional honing and will be getting another to practice honing on.

Originally Posted by eod7

Nah, I have this old drill chuck sharpening stone for my lawnmower that should sharpen a razor right up. I bet it'll crank out a shave ready razor in 30 seconds. You guys just wait, you'll be jealous you didn't think of it. *

LMAO!

Always liked having the EOD guys around.

Welcome to the madness.