Thread: My new setup

Aloha!

Wonderful stuff, OP. Great that you have your Great Grandfather's shaving gear. I only have my Grandfather's Solingen Straight Razor, circa 1930 (ish). I vividly remember his strop, shaving mirror, basin, mug and brush (he always shaved at his kitchen table). I have no idea what became of the rest of his gear, but I'm happy to at least have his razor. Lord knows whatever happened to my Great Grandfather's shaving kit.

Great heirlooms. Enjoy them.

Mahalo!

-ZipZop

Yes I love the Gillette and have been using it for 4 months, I have very hard water where I live in Texas so I am going to spend some time on it soon and clean it better. When I started using it, I went through and wiped it down with rubbing alcohol and q tips to clean it as best as I could. I also used a dental pic to lightly loosen some really old build up. I have used the VDH blades and like them just fine, but at some point I will try some of the other brands. I am excited to restore the strop and then store the strop lol. I am looking for a good vegan strop option that is cheap as funds are tight. I have access to all kinds of nylon webbing, so I might try that first. Thanks for the encouragement folks!!!

Y'all suggest tubular or flat webbing? Tubular is much smother and softer.

Flat. Think something similar to a seat belt. I use both a gillette slim from my birth year (1963) and straight razors. With straights being my preferred choice. Scrubbing bubbles brand really cleans up the DE. I have only used it once but wow ! My water is so hard when i take a drink i have to chew. My favorite blade is the astra superior platinum. Super cheap for a 100 of them online. Take the advise of these gentlemen and get your straight professionally honed. Buy an inexpensive strop. Lay it on the edge of a table to strop. It will get you by until you learn to shave. Have fun its an interesting hobby !