Quote Originally Posted by sheajohnw View Post
It is very important to keep water out of the space between the scales and around the pivot of a straight razor. Carbon steel will quickly and easily rust when left wet. It can be difficult to get all the moisture out of the pivot area, so it is far better to never let any water get into this area. It is heart breaking to put ones new razor away and to find it rusted or water spotted when taken out for its next use. Removing any rust on gold wash will probably remove or damage the gold wash. Always wipe the razor dry and closely inspect it for water and lather residue after each use. Wiping the cleaned and dry blade with a mineral oil or Camellia oil dampened patch after each use before it is put away is safer than leaving the blade unprotected.

The least expensive way to get a shave ready straight razor is:
- a new low end DOVO honed by the vendor before shipping (SRD, etc.),
- a classified section sale of a vintage shave ready razor,
- a Whipped Dog vintage razor,

Shaving, stropping, and honing are all acquired skills that need development. Although stropping and honing are not needed with shavette razor systems having disposable blades, the shave experience is not the same as using a true straight razor. The disposable blade system that is reported to come closest to a true straight razor shave is the Feather, but this system costs as much as a new straight razor, then there is the cost of the disposable blades.

A cheap low sided coffee mug, cheap boar bristle brush, and a puck of shaving soap (tabac etc.) are inexpensive but fully effective.
A very very good reply. Many thanks!

I'm a carpenter by trade and sharpen my chisels on a regular basis so I know how to treat the steel to sharpen it.

I think I'll spend £100 or so on a 'all in one' kit and go from there. I'll keep you guys updated.

P.s. Assuming that the razor is super sharp, with the right angle (30*) should I be able to remove all my facial hair in one hit or would I need to rinse and re apply cream and go against the grain the second time?