Please read this: Beginner's guide to straight razor shaving - Straight Razor Place Wiki
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Please read this: Beginner's guide to straight razor shaving - Straight Razor Place Wiki
I'd say send it off for sure, honing is harder than you think.
That strop looks just fine, it should work well for you.
As far how often it will need to be honed, that will depend on a lot of variables.
I think Glen wrote a post about that not too long ago in his beginners tips.
Hi,
so you have one as well? Do you like it?
Thanks
Hi,
now I'm curious...lol
Why do you guys need different razors? Just as a hobby or something else?
I mean do they shave differently? Just wondering..
Thanks!!
Yes I have one. It's a fantastic shaver.
I think most of us have several different razors for a couple of reasons. When you're starting out, you want to try different kinds. Your face will respond differently to different blades. Also, many of them are beautiful and you just want them. Others need to be rescued from slowly rusting to death in other people's hands, plus, collecting them is cool and kind of addicting.
Maddafinga says it well - as to why one has more than one razor. Another reason is to have a backup blade in case you find an edge has gone south, and so you can keep shaving while one razor is out being honed.
Then, of course you need one for cloudy days, the first day of Spring, Sundays...
Hello,
Sounds good. I will make sure to read the links you have suggested.
Thanks again to all of you for the tips and explanation.
For most of us here, this is somewhat of a hobby and excuse to drain our bank accounts as has been mentioned.
Different style razors will shave differently, but the end result is that they shave. Personal preference figures into it a lot as well. For example, I don't really care for "full hollow" razors. They're easier to maintain and they shave wonderfully, but I prefer a heavier razor that doesn't make as much noise as full hollow.
Read all you can about using one of these things. Get it PROPERLY honed by somebody that has the right stuff to hone it. TAKE YOUR TIME learning to use it. The learning curve is a bit steep and can be painful. Once you master using one, they'll shave you as close as a plastic razor with umpteen blades.
Personally, I enjoy taking a beautiful tool that was made 150 years ago and using it to shave my whiskers.
I actually get a better shave than I did with the cartridge razors. They always pulled and burned. The smoothness is the same from the same number of passes, but lasts much longer with the straight.