Got a shaving set for my birthday.....

Well as the title says, I got a straight razor set for my birthday and I like it, well if I could shave with it. I am not really sure where to start explaining whats going on in my head so I will try to sort it out the best I can....

Its a Red Deer blade, there is no more signs on it for what it could be (google pulls nothing) so I am not sure if its junk or not. The blade says its German steel, made in the USA. I was reading quite a while back that you dont want to spend the big bucks on your first razor because you will screw it up. But with that said, I love how the blade and handle feel in my hands, the few dozen times I tried messing around with it on the strop, rolling it over the spine and back - it just felt smooth and natural to me, so far I think the blade is a keeper for beginning.

The first issue I have though is I only have a leather side to the strop, the other side is like an unfinished leather. I am pretty sure I need a rough cloth sided one as well to try and hone in the blade a little bit. The blade came sharp-ish but not shave ready. I was also reading that I shouldn't need a stone, I should just have to work it a little with the cloth side and some of that grit stuff you put on it. I have a stick of it, right in the middle as far as grit goes (or so I was told) but only a leather side. Again, I think I need a new strop.

I bought some burts bees shaving cream, I used this stuff when I shaved with a mach 3 or whatever that crap is called. I love it, it holds a nice lather and doesn't dry out quickly, has anybody else used it? The straight razor did cut hair off of my arm when I put some of the lather on it but not as clean as I would like (or would hope) from a straight razor.

The brush, I dont know what its made out of but I like it. My friend used it on his shaving soap and said he really liked it and actually ordered one of his own - I dont know much about it though.

So a little breakdown here - has anybody heard of Red Deer? Do I need a new strop? If so, whats a entry level one I can get? Do I need a stone? I really dont want to spend a hundred bucks per stone...

I know this isnt cheap to get into but I really want to give it a shot. I always used a electric shaver but it would die about every year and I would have to buy a new one. Then I would have to shave easily twice a day... This I am told,the blades should last secaes if you take care of them. At this point I am at a Y in the road - I can stick with electric or spend a little more money (a little, I hope) and get the other tools and give it a shot. I am not even sure if I will like it or not.

I don't know anything about your razor. But my suggestion is to send it out to a pro to have it honed and evaluated. At that point you'll have some basic information on its capabilities. Until its sharp enough to shave with, if that's possible, you cant move off of start.

Could it be this?

straight razor red deer | eBay

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Originally Posted by HaiKarate

Could it be this?

straight razor red deer | eBay

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Looks like that. By the price, I would say its crap.

I looked in an old out of print book of razors I have (2007) and couldn't find it.

So I took another track and googled RED DEER CUTLERY since a lot of razors were made by cutlery companies. It said Red Deer-Frost Cutlery (Frost Cutlery - The World's Fastest-Growing Cutlery Company). This company began with the original owner collecting knives as a hobby in the 1960s and it evolved into a successful business.

At the Frost Cutlery site, the second item pictured was a Red Deer straight razor (regularly $29.95 now $16.95). I read the About Us section and it is definitely an American company that sells cutlery from around the world.

In addition to Red Deer, this company re-introduced the Hen and Rooster razor, which is here: Frost Cutlery - The World's Fastest-Growing Cutlery Company

I don't know anything about knives and am unfamiliar with these razors. If I identified your razor and it cost only $16.95 I'm leery about it. I'd get someone here who offers honing and restoration services to look at it, and assess it, and make it shave ready if it is of sufficient quality.

I'm always encouraging people to get away from the typical department store fare because of all the misery I experienced with electrics and multiblade razors. So I hope you will take up straight razor shaving.

Nice man, guess your googling skills are much better than mine. My razor is not listed though so I dont know what to say.

There is a guy around here that hones and sharpens blades. He is kind of an ass though and said "if I know your blade is cheap or I dont like it I will not work with it". Excuse me but not everybody wants to drop 500$ on a blade when I am not even sure if I am going to like it. I dont want to give a guy any of my money if thats how hes going to treat me when I dont know anything about him. He tried to sell me one over the phone, said it is perfect and ready to shave and he sells them for 700$ but he will give it to me for 6. I laughed and said no.

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Originally Posted by jmgb4

Nice man, guess your googling skills are much better than mine. My razor is not listed though so I dont know what to say.

There is a guy around here that hones and sharpens blades. He is kind of an ass though and said "if I know your blade is cheap or I dont like it I will not work with it". Excuse me but not everybody wants to drop 500$ on a blade when I am not even sure if I am going to like it. I dont want to give a guy any of my money if thats how hes going to treat me when I dont know anything about him. He tried to sell me one over the phone, said it is perfect and ready to shave and he sells them for 700$ but he will give it to me for 6. I laughed and said no.

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There is a huge world of razors between .99 and $700. To be honest, this is what I usually suggest to people somewhat interested in this. Start with a DE. An excellent Edwin Jagger DE is about $30. Then invest in a decent soap/cream (try Proraso or Arko, both excellent values). If you're enjoying the shaves and the idea of a straight razor continues to intrigue you, go in for a straight and a strop. Keep an eye on the classified section here for a razor that fits your budget. Some days you'll find one for under $50. Be sure its shave ready. If there's any doubt, have it honed. There's a lot of money that can be invested in this and if you're not certain, don't jump into it with too much cash. Shaving with a DE will give you an idea if the whole wet shaving thing is something you want to stick with. But a good soap/cream and brush will enhance any shave.

Save yourself a lot of frustration and go to whippeddog.com and ask Larry about a sight unseen razor. It will be a vintage razor that's shave ready. It might not win a beauty pageant, but it will shave.

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Originally Posted by robellison01

Save yourself a lot of frustration and go to whippeddog.com and ask Larry about a sight unseen razor. It will be a vintage razor that's shave ready. It might not win a beauty pageant, but it will shave.

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+1 on whippeddog. I got my first razor from him. Great guy to deal with!

I would recommed you pick up a vintage blade from SRP's Classifieds section. You should easily be able to find an affordable, shave-ready razor here. What you have sounds like a "razor-shaped object" of some sort that is worthless for real shaving.

Good luck! :)

I agree. I believe that this is a razor shaped pos that is for looks. Maybe one day I will try to sharpen it.

Before I get too far into this I just want to say I'm on my phone so please forgive any mistakes or missed lines. And thank you all VERY much for your input.

Ocd - what's a DE razor? Could you link one for an example? And I love the cream I have now but I'll try for another. What do you think about just getting a vintage straight edge? Or should I stick with a de?(whatever that is for now).

Robe - will do, thanks for the website!

Billy - alright sounds like the place to go. Thank you as well.

Speed - my intro was meant for you but yes I agree. Anyway you could suggest one? I am in need of a better strop right now I think. And I may try out what ocd said first, depending on prices. I'm not hurting for money its just I don't want to spend money on something I obviously have zero idea about.

Ah ok once I finally got off my phone and onto my laptop I was able to do a little research. I would gladly try a DE shave kit and go through the whippeddog place. I sent him an email about wanting to try straight edge and seeking his advice. Hopefully he replies soon!

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Originally Posted by jmgb4

Speed - my intro was meant for you but yes I agree. Anyway you could suggest one? I am in need of a better strop right now I think. And I may try out what ocd said first, depending on prices. I'm not hurting for money its just I don't want to spend money on something I obviously have zero idea about.

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There is a J.A. Hellberg 5/8 wedge for sale in the Classified for $35. I don't see how you could do better than that. There was also another straight on offer for $75. Anyway, I think these are better deals than sight-unseen razors from WD. YMMV.

I am in the classifieds section now and I havent ran across it yet.

And whats YMMV?

Thank you for your input too.

J. A. Hellberg 5/8 wedge - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

bingo! I think I may order it in about five minutes if nobody jumps in quick and says no

Your Mileage May Vary. It's the way a lot of things are around here. What works for some may not work for others. :) If you are in the Classifieds, use the dropdown in the upper left to set items per page to 24. That should allow you to see all that's for sale there. Good luck! :)

your mileage may vary -- Try here for explanations of the shorthand language used on SRP: Acronyms and Abbreviations - Straight Razor Place Library

Thanks. I have to say so far this forum has been nothing but great help. I am looking at that one and the russian one

Theyre both the same blade but I am not sure why or if the 5/8 matters...

5/8 is a little on the small side if you take a 6/8 as the middle ground. Personally, I don't like blades smaller than 6/8s. Again, YMMV. I have a buddy here who loves 4/8 razors. To each their own. :)

Oh I follow now. The blade on my fancy looking not so good at working razor is huge. I would say at least 6/8. I have always liked bigger but that doesnt mean better. I think I may go after a DE razor for now, theres a set for sale for 35 and I wouldnt really need much more. I would throw the puck away though and just lather my burts bees shaving cream. I would experiment with the brushes but from what I heard I have a very good quality brush.

The DE is a great way to get started, and later on if you're still interested in straight razor shaving, you can then go that route. :)

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Originally Posted by Speedster

The DE is a great way to get started, and later on if you're still interested in straight razor shaving, you can then go that route. :)

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or I could experiment with both? and resell one if I dont like it?

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Originally Posted by jmgb4

or I could experiment with both? and resell one if I dont like it?

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You may find, as I did, that you like both straight and de. Most members here use both. For example, I use a de for a quick shave when I don't have a great deal of time to get ready. When I have more time, I will use my straight, but I still will use the de for touch ups.

Having said that, If you do decide one over the other, there are plenty of people that will buy your gear.

The size of the blade all comes down to personal preference. Most find a 5/8 blade a good starting point as they are not so large as to be cumbersome but not so small that the angle is difficult to monitor and maintain while shaving. I started with a 5/8 vintage boker king cutter and now have 20 or so different blades in the rotation, various sizes and grinds. They all different feels and their own quirks. If you get a shave ready blade and you enjoy it, you will start what we call RAD (Razor Acquisition Disorder) and you will find yourself searching endlessly on eBay and all of your local antique shops.

Welcome and happy shaving :)

If you get a set, keep the puck to practice whipping up a lather. A lot of us started with a whipped dog unseen including me, you can't pass him for service. As for the rest, just make sure you have a serviceable edge, a lot of people (again including me) buy a RSO (razor shaped object) thinking it is a bargain. If you have one I used mine to practice restoring and sharpening techniques. You can get an RSO sharp, but they don't stay that way because of the steel and that is why a lot of people will not bother with inferior blades. A honer knows they are waisting both your time and theirs by sharpening the edge, still, no reason for the guy you called to be a prat about the subject, all he had to do was explain this to you.