Thread: First Razor Advice

Hi all,

So I started wet shaving about 7 months ago while serving overseas and i've decided to stick with it. I've been shaving with a disposable (parker) straight because of the convenience, but now that i'm back home i want to start stropping and using an actual straight.

Right now I have a Shumate and a Puma that people have been generous enough to donate, but I haven't been able to use because they need to be honed. I don't have any stones yet and haven't had the time to send them off to be honed, I plan on doing that this week. Anyway i've decided i'm also going to get my own razor, I'd like some input if anyone has any.

I've narrowed it down to three razors, 1-A Dubl Duck Goldedge (slightly used) 2-A new Wacker, or 3-A new Hart Steel. I like different things about all of them aesthetically, and from what i've heard/read they're all good shavers, but does anyone have any input? Like, coming off of a disposable straight which one would be the nicest to shave with? And how about in the long run?

The Hart steel would be the 6/8 square point on rosewood scales.

The wacker, well I have my eye on four, the original classic all round, the old sheffield, a jungmeister and a best tradition. I think i'm going with the all round unless someone knows one of the other three is that much better.

I plan on teaching myself how to hone on the Shumate and how to strop on the Puma (after having it professionally honed) so by the time I actually receive the new razor i've at least had some exposure to honing and stropping. I don't plan on being proficient at it, just enough to not completely screw everything up.

I'm going with a strop from Straight Razor Designs, the 3" Premium IV English Bridle Strop w/the hard pressed wool felt back strop, is this a good strop to learn on?

Sorry for the long post, thanks for any feedback!

Welcome to SRP, glad to see you will be sending your razors for honing, for a real shave ready edge, as far as your new razor the 3 razors you listed are all good shavers and quality razors. It is imperative that you know how to strop before even thinking of honing, you will have 3 shave ready razors to practice on, and once you get your strop start practicing with a butter knife, stropping is key.

Military member here as well, WELCOME HOME shipmate.
I'm new as well to the SR's but just found a beautiful Dubl Duck locally in an antique shop for $15 and right off the bat i can tell I love the feel in my hand. I'm currently using my new Art of Shaving Dovo and I enjoy it, but think once the Duck is ready to go I'm going to really enjoy it. As Martin said and I have read every single day Strop before and after. I've looked at the English Bridal and it looks amazing(I love the feel of the English Bridal) Ive ordered one as well, in the mean time i bought some leather at a local shop and made a simple double sided paddle to learn on, this way I dont ruin the English Bridal. I've been using all my recent antique finds on the padddle to get truely comfortable with the motions, as well as my Dovo and it just slides. Just my opinion for what its worth.
Christian