Printable View
I have purchased a Rough Rider Black Widow as my first straight razor, i've shaved with a Merkur 34C for 1.5years.
However, the razor is rather dull, wont even shave my arm hair (my spyderco bug did that even)
So, what would i need to get to have it shave ready, its 440 steel.
Judging from what I saw when I looked that razor up it looks like a collectors item and not really meant for shaving. Also from my understanding 440 steel is not good for taking a shaving edge.
So unfortunately you will have to buy a new razor to start straight shaving.
You can check out whippeddog.com and the classifieds here to get a shave ready razor at a good price.
Rough rider is just that, rough. A good letter opener or paint stirrer. We all make mistakes. This is yours!
Lots to learn here, keep reading before buying and you will get good shaves.
Good Luck!
Well then that sucks :/ i know its really cheap, but i really like spiders (owner of 10 tarantulas)
Shot a picture of the edge, maybe it could work if honed properly?
http://i45.tinypic.com/2rgku1l.jpg
I would think that most members listed that do honing wont even touch that razor. Sorry
As Castel pointed out...its something to look kind of cool...as for shaving with it, not gonna happen. The steel, heat treating, etc. is not up to snuff on those to take and hold a proper shaving edge. Chalk it up to learning experience. Check out the Library here and look for the list of approved straights :) Dovo, Thiers Issard, Hart are a few of the modern production blades that'll give you a fine shave when honed right :)
The fact you can see microchipping on the edge without the aid of magnification is not a good thing. Sorry man, this is not the razor for you.
Too bad :/ will put it in a glass frame on the wall then.
What about the shavettes? maybe the best choice for a beginner?
Shavettes are different...like a DE without the protection..sorry, I don't know a better way to describe it..lol. Alot of guys get turned off because they can be harsh like a spike point. Your best bet would be to check out the classifieds or if you're sure this is something you want to pursue then get a properly honed blade from a reputable vendor.
I do have very sensitive skin, that's why I got the DE in the first place, I wanted to get the straight razor back then but did not dare, before I got the DE I've always avoided shaving mostly because no matter how careful I was I got a shitload of skinirritation, even with the DE my throat gets irritated easily.
I don't have very thick beardgrowth, almost noting except around the mouth, so basically the DE blades last forever.
I have looked at a kit with a Dovo 5/8", strop, silvertip brush, soap, stand and alunstick for around 200$