Taking the plunge for real

Greetings all. So, for the past 6 weeks, Ive been shaving with a Feather Artist Club SS and its been a good experience. Im able to get very good shaves with it and all has been well.
Lately though, Id been thinking that I want to try a real straight razor, so I picked up a shave ready Gold Dollar 800 and travel strop for WSP. I figured the GD was a way for me to dip a toe in without going all out. I thought about going Whipped Dog but he appears to be sold out right now.
Thus far, I like the GD and it doesnt seem to be as much of a hassle as I thought it would be. Stropping isnt rocket science, although I dont think Im going to try my hand at honing right now. I decided to pick up a second GD from WSP, since the first one they sent me is just about perfect. I decided to pick up a 208 this time, just to try something different from what I have. Supposedly, the 800 is stainless carbon steel and the 208 is carbon steel; but I dont anticipate there being much difference. I wanted a 2nd one so that when it comes time to send my 1st one out to be rehoned, I can just use my extra one and just rotate them out as need be.
I like the fact that WSP sends them shave ready and quality inspects them; which is nice because Ive heard that buying factory GDs can be hit or miss. I like that WSP straightens the scales if they arrive bent and repins them.
As much as I love my Feather AC, I wanted to get the real experience of a straight. For those of you who golf, Id compare it to hitting a forged iron vs a a cast one. Both do the job but the feel is different.

Only use the linen for a while. Get the muscle memory down before using the leather

Lee at WSP does a decent job of honing GD razors. Like you, that was my first razor. I was not sure whether I would like shaving with a straight. However, I love them. I now have a collection of about 25 razors of varying descriptions.

Developing the skill of stropping a razor is absolutely necessary for maintenance of a razor. It is not rocket science; it is more of an art. You strop with a musical rhythm. You watch the bow of the fabric or leather. You listen to the music the blade makes as it glides across the strop. Watch (and listen) to several stropping videos. There are a few videos, unfortunately, that show improper technique. The spine of the blade should never leave the strop. When you get to the end of each stroke, you have to flip the blade just as you reverse the direction of the stroke. If you flip the blade too soon, you will damage your strop and may damage your edge. If you flip the blade too late, the same thing happens. My first strop has a number of nicks as proof of the difficulty of learning the proper timing. So Rolodave's advice about learning to strop on fabric first is worthwhile. Even then, you first leather strop should be inexpensive. Wait until you develop skill before getting a really nice strop.

Yes. As Ray said, dont vo out and zpend 300+ on your first strop. You will hate yourself for doing it in a couple months. A few places.sell the replacable lether part so if you dont go real cheap as in a whippeddog strop, the other option with replacable leather is smart. Cut it up, and after 4 to 6 months buy a replacement and your good to go. Im not a fan of the GD. I do own one that i customized so im not going to comment on your choice of razors.

Enjoy the long trip into learning the art of straight razor shaving. Hide your credit card! :)

Ive got the WSP starter strop. At $12, I figure its good to learn on and then when I get better, I can get a better strop. Maggards has one that has a leather strop and a nylon strop, 3" wide, not to mention its made in Ohio, which is kind of cool but is like $70.
I figure why not tear up this $12 one while Im learning and then get a better one when I get more experience.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gasman

Yes. As Ray said, dont vo out and zpend 300+ on your first strop. You will hate yourself for doing it in a couple months. A few places.sell the replacable lether part so if you dont go real cheap as in a whippeddog strop, the other option with replacable leather is smart. Cut it up, and after 4 to 6 months buy a replacement and your good to go. Im not a fan of the GD. I do own one that i customized so im not going to comment on your choice of razors.

Enjoy the long trip into learning the art of straight razor shaving. Hide your credit card! :)

---

I think that if I were buying a factory GD, Id be with you buy WSP goes through these razors and fixes any issues that they come with from the factory. If that werent the case, Id probably spend a bit more for a Dovo or a Boker.

12 dollar strop. Thats a great starter. Its a piece of leather so it should do the job just fine. Good luck

First shave with the GD last night and Im not sure how I feel about it. The Feather AC is smoother. I kind of felt like the GD was more scraping the hair off my face instead of slicing it. I even tried being really aware of my angle and it still felt kind of tuggy.
I was watching some straight razor shave videos on Youtube and those razors sound kind of choppy too. Are traditional straight razors just not as sharp as the Feather AC blade are?

PM me your address, I'll send ya a real razor.:nj

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by outback

PM me your address, I'll send ya a real razor.:nj

---

Damn! I must be getting old! Ya beat me to it Mike!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cudarunner

Damn! I must be getting old! Ya beat me to it Mike!

---

Haven't got a reply from him..yet.!

I got two nice 11/16 German blades here, a square and round point that I will need to make scales for, and give um a skip.across the stones.

Hmmm....no brained, for me.!

Maybe it's scraping because of you, but your using a feather maybe not, but maybe WSP doesn't hone so well. Plus the choice of razors. Plus your stropping at this point more than likely ain't great. Take up mikes generous off and use one that's goned right, and isn't a GD. Tc

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Badgerstate

I figure why not tear up this $12 one while Im learning and then get a better one when I get more experience.

---

If you're happy to tear up you're first strop you'll get lots of experience shaving with a different razor while your stropped one is getting honed.
People don't seem to realise that damaging the strop damages the razor.
Practising on a single piece of newspaper, the width of your strop, held by a small bulldog clip, is good. Too much pressure will make the paper slip from the clip. Also try using a butterknife or similar to develop manual dexterity. Actually, even a tooth brush will work. The motion is similar to twisting a volume knob but use your other fingers to assist.
Once you can comfortably flip the butterknife 180º back & forth try with your razor then finally move to your paper strop. If you feel you have it wired move to the leather but go slow. A little practice can save a lot in honing fees.... & leather.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tcrideshd

Maybe it's scraping because of you, but your using a feather maybe not, but maybe WSP doesn't hone so well.

---

The honing is not quite as true as claimed.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by outback

Haven't got a reply from him..yet.!

I got two nice 11/16 German blades here, a square and round point that I will need to make scales for, and give um a skip.across the stones.

Hmmm....no brained, for me.!

---

Thanks but I'll pass. I like my Gold Dollar, I think it just needed to be stropped.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by onimaru55

If you're happy to tear up you're first strop you'll get lots of experience shaving with a different razor while your stropped one is getting honed.
People don't seem to realise that damaging the strop damages the razor.
Practising on a single piece of newspaper, the width of your strop, held by a small bulldog clip, is good. Too much pressure will make the paper slip from the clip. Also try using a butterknife or similar to develop manual dexterity. Actually, even a tooth brush will work. The motion is similar to twisting a volume knob but use your other fingers to assist.
Once you can comfortably flip the butterknife 180º back & forth try with your razor then finally move to your paper strop. If you feel you have it wired move to the leather but go slow. A little practice can save a lot in honing fees.... & leather.

---

I wouldnt say that Im happy to damage any strop but if Im going to while Im learning, Id rather do it to a $12 strop instead of a $100 one.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Badgerstate

I wouldnt say that Im happy to damage any strop but if Im going to while Im learning, Id rather do it to a $12 strop instead of a $100 one.

---

True enough, but the point is that if you are damaging your strop while stropping you are degrading the edge not maintaining or improving it.

Bob

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BobH

True enough, but the point is that if you are damaging your strop while stropping you are degrading the edge not maintaining or improving it.

Bob

---

Obviously. The point is not that I intend to damage the strop but if I do, better it be a cheap one instead of an expensive one.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Badgerstate

Thanks but I'll pass. I like my Gold Dollar, I think it just needed to be stropped.

---

I don't think I'd be too quick on turning down the offer of a free vintage razor honed by someone that knows how to hone. If you took the offered razor and shaved with it without stropping it that would tell you how your GD compares. Should the offered vintage razor shave better than the GD then you know that either the GD's edge was not up to snuff in the first place and/or your stropping hurt it. Then strop the vintage razor before the second shave with it and if it shaves worse than the first time you will know that your stropping is hurting the edge. Anyway, it is your choice.

Bob

Id say you should take Mike/Outback up on his offer. He even lives in the same state as you. And what Bob said is right on the money. Its the best way to test. These are very helpful folks and want you to learn and enjoy this way of shaving.

Its up to you to make the choice.

Wow!

That's an offer you can't refuse (or you can, that's your choice; a generous offer no less!)


a hundreds of threads were started after the shaving experience you just had and quite a few variables come into play some are user related other are razor related, you can easily search and find numerous threads almost exactly about your experience

I'd suggest eliminating the most variables as you can and get a quality razor honed by someone who knows what he's doing

If things don't feel right then it's not the razor, but a user thing; prep, lather, angle, pressure etc all come into play and it's not gonna be the same as you are used to


One reason I stopped using DE and DE like systems was because I jus't couldn't get myself to like the blades enough
if you realize what a well honed quality SR can do, you'll be amazed

I can’t speak to WSP shave ready honing abilities. I have six Gold Dollars that I honed and they shave as well as any top quality razor I have honed by a honemeister. While other issues may certainly be at play (stropping, lather, etc.), for me the simple, first choice, is the honing. Your edge probably isn’t up to shave ready.

Its no hair off my arse, but I'm trying to lesson the learning curve for you, and remove a lot of serious varibles.

I started down this road by myself, over 30 yrs. ago with no help at all. One razor, One stone, and a old leather belt.
I pasted the suede part of the belt, and finished on the smooth outside. I went thru a few belts before I got the Rhythm down, and took off 1/8" of my edge from having to rehone it every time I screwed up stropping.

I really never had a great shave, till I joined here. The guys here got me straightened out, and down the right path.
I'm just trying to do that for YOU.!

COME ON, OHIOAN BROTHER. ITS A "FREE" VINTAGE, SHAVE READY RAZOR, WITH HAND MADE CUSTOM SCALES. folks here would be taking #s, and getting in line for this type of offer, would it be posted for all.

If you don't like it..sell it, make ya some money towards the one you like. But your going to find its hard to beat a vintage razor, over a new production one. Especially a Chinese, Pakistan razor.

Just don't understand why most newbs are sooo stubborn
:banghead:

If you really like your GD. I'd be more than happy to make sure its properly honed......for FREE.!! :deal:

This extremely generous gesture will help tremendously. It is the perfect way to negate some variables and see what’s holding you back. If you feel guilty taking the razor, you can always shave with it a couple of times to get the feel for it, strop it, shave again to evaluate your stropping and then send it back. I can understand feeling funny about taking something for nothing, but don’t ever feel funny to ask for help.

We can only guide you so far with our advice here. I’d think again about things. A couple of years down the road, there’s a good chance you’ll be doing the same for somebody else!

Wait, wait... can i get in that line too Outback? No? Damn, i knew TC's Cool list would ruin things for me some day. :(

Your a fine member Mike to make this offer. :chapeau

Jerry, its called passing it along. Its one of the things that make this forum so great. You yourself have been a part of this since you've joined, as you already have witnessed this, firsthand.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Longhaultanker

I can’t speak to WSP shave ready honing abilities.

---

I can.
Consider re-honing.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Longhaultanker

I have six Gold Dollars that I honed and they shave as well as any top quality razor.

---

They don't.
The heat treating is quite inferior.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Badgerstate

Obviously. The point is not that I intend to damage the strop but if I do, better it be a cheap one instead of an expensive one.

---

Can't get cheaper than newspaper. The difference between your gold dollar and a vintage shave ready from outback would be night and day. Would give you something to compare your edge with.

Because of this thread I almost broke out my Gold Dollar. But then I thought again. Had a wonderful shave with a Vintage!

[QUOTE=Badgerstate;1805488] The Feather AC is smoother. I kind of felt like the GD was more scraping the hair off my face instead of slicing it. I even tried being really aware of my angle and it still felt kind of tuggy.
/QUOTE]

I don't own a gold dollar razor, but it sounds like the razor just needs to be honed. Also I can't find where he said the strop was destroying his razor . Cheap strop doesn't matter. You can use an old leather belt and the set belt out of a junk car as long as it is clean.

Originally Posted by Longhaultanker: "I have six Gold Dollars that I honed and they shave as well as any top quality razor." (As quoted by Utopian).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Utopian

They don't.
The heat treating is quite inferior.

---

I don't mind your opinion, but I do mind you mis-quoting me. What I said in my previous post was: "Ihave six Gold Dollars that I honed and they shave as well as any top quality razor I have honed by a honemeister." If you're going to quote me don't do me an injustice.

Turned into a damn GD thread again, just shave with the thing and never complain when you learn different, they will shave, after some work and no matter what you do it's still a GD, maybe your fine with lower quality tools. And since your new and already having trouble shaving why not use quality instead of junk. But then maybe some of you guys would rather ride in a Yugo, that a Mercedes. Your choice but don't blow smoke up my butt about how good they are, I've been doing this too long to believe the bs. cause if they were so good you wouldn't have spent money on other brands, heck you can buy 50 of them for 125$. Tc

But how well they hold their edge, compared to a vintage blade. That's what is being said. We all know they will hone and shave, but never, will they be in the same league as a vintage blades, edge retention.

Hell, I got a RSO here, that's shaves with the best of um. But it won't hold that edge past 3-4 shaves before needing honed again. He's a newb, you and I are veteran shavers
with years of experience. I'd rather see him spend his money on his wife, or girl friend. Than to see him sending his GD out for honing once a month, or less.

So by removing that,very possible variable, we can better evaluate his problem (s). That all... It's not an argument !

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Badgerstate

I wouldnt say that Im happy to damage any strop but if Im going to while Im learning, Id rather do it to a $12 strop instead of a $100 one.

---

You've missed my point.
I was trying to show you a way to not damage your strop regardless of its cost.

Wow... All one can really do is wish the fellow luck.

:banghead:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tcrideshd

Turned into a damn GD thread again, just shave with the thing and never complain when you learn different, they will shave, after some work and no matter what you do it's still a GD, maybe your fine with lower quality tools. And since your new and already having trouble shaving why not use quality instead of junk. But then maybe some of you guys would rather ride in a Yugo, that a Mercedes. Your choice but don't blow smoke up my butt about how good they are, I've been doing this too long to believe the bs. cause if they were so good you wouldn't have spent money on other brands, heck you can buy 50 of them for 125$. Tc

---

50 for $125 eh? Got a link, I could make an incredibly frustrating and very small fortune out of that...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Longhaultanker

Originally Posted by Longhaultanker: "I have six Gold Dollars that I honed and they shave as well as any top quality razor." (As quoted by Utopian).


I don't mind your opinion, but I do mind you mis-quoting me. What I said in my previous post was: "Ihave six Gold Dollars that I honed and they shave as well as any top quality razor I have honed by a honemeister." If you're going to quote me don't do me an injustice.

---

I wrote the post from my phone and inadvertantly cut off the last part of the quoted sentence but obviously no injustice was done. The sentiment was unchanged.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tcrideshd

But then maybe some of you guys would rather ride in a Yugo, that a Mercedes. Tc

---

Good comparison tc. My Benz has over 320-K on the clock. The only thing I have ever done to the engine is adjust the valve train every 20,000 miles. My Wosty is from the mid 1800's and still shaves like a dream.