Thread: My first traditional straight razor

I present to the SRP community my Amazon straight razor set up. The razor is a carbon steel 6/8 round tip by Cutthroat Gents. The strop is from Illinois Strop Co. model 127 and the stone is from Bearmoo and is a 3000/8000 grit water stone. I bought these items over a month ago and originally was saving them for my birthday but I just could not wait. Also the the chromium oxide bar is from Dialux. I’m really excited to get this razor shave ready.

I forgot to mention I scored all these items on Amazon with free shipping for under $90 for everything.

You may want to seek out a member near you for some one on one guidance.

I know its not your first post but welcome.

If you have never honed a straight razor before you might be in for a few surprises, unpleasant one at that. It is very difficult to learn to shave well with a straight razor and at the same time learn hoe to hone one to shave ready. Trust me, I went that route.

The razor you bought I do not recognize the brand so do not know the quality of it. It is best to buy a reputable brand from a retailer that hones them to shave ready before sending out.

The strop I recognize as one that is well regarded. The problem with learning to strop a razor is that you will likely cut and nick the strop before getting stropping down pat. Worst case scenario is that you ruin the strop or at least will have to learn how to repair nicks to keep it serviceable.

Good luck with your journey and be sure to ask questions if you have any problems.

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

If you have never honed a straight razor before you might be in for a few surprises, unpleasant one at that. It is very difficult to learn to shave well with a straight razor and at the same time learn hoe to hone one to shave ready. Trust me, I went that route.

The razor you bought I do not recognize the brand so do not know the quality of it. It is best to buy a reputable brand from a retailer that hones them to shave ready before sending out.

The strop I recognize as one that is well regarded. The problem with learning to strop a razor is that you will likely cut and nick the strop before getting stropping down pat. Worst case scenario is that you ruin the strop or at least will have to learn how to repair nicks to keep it serviceable.

Good luck with your journey and be sure to ask questions if you have any problems.

Bob

Thanks for the advice Bob. I’ve watched many videos by Lynn Abrams and Geofatboy if or when I have any problems or questions I’ll be sure to ask for advice. Cutthroat Gents is a newer company in the straight razor world but we’re fairly well liked.

You have received some good advice. I would definitely +1 on the getting it professionally honed before you put it to your face.

I understand the impatience, and frankly you have done better than me to wait a month, but you will definitely benefit from having it done.

As Bob has said you can go down the route of learning to hone at the same time as learning to shave, but for me one thing at a time helped a lot.

You have done the right thing with the videos, in addition the library and beginners sections on this site are invaluable, you should check them out too.

Good luck and enjoy.

Originally Posted by Porl

You have received some good advice. I would definitely +1 on the getting it professionally honed before you put it to your face.

I understand the impatience, and frankly you have done better than me to wait a month, but you will definitely benefit from having it done.

As Bob has said you can go down the route of learning to hone at the same time as learning to shave, but for me one thing at a time helped a lot.

You have done the right thing with the videos, in addition the library and beginners sections on this site are invaluable, you should check them out too.

Good luck and enjoy.

I’ve been shaving with a shavette since May this year. I know shavette and traditional straight razor are very different beasts to learn how to master. I’m in no rush to shave with my new straight razor. From what I’ve learned so far in my research is when honing use only the weight of the blade nothing more. I’ve also learned about the importance of rolling the razor on its spine wether I’m honing or stropping. I’ve learned when honing lead with the blade edge; when stropping lead with the spine.

Originally Posted by AngeloAmerico

Thanks for the advice Bob. I’ve watched many videos by Lynn Abrams and Geofatboy if or when I have any problems or questions I’ll be sure to ask for advice. Cutthroat Gents is a newer company in the straight razor world but we’re fairly well liked.

I watched those vids too when starting to hone and still wondered why I was not getting a shave ready razor at the start. Nothing wrong with the vids just my total lack of experience in honing razors on my part and how to apply what I was seeing and hearing.

Are you the owner of Cutthroat Gents?

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

I watched those vids too when starting to hone and still wondered why I was not getting a shave ready razor at the start. Nothing wrong with the vids just my total lack of experience in honing razors on my part and how to apply what I was seeing and hearing.

Are you the owner of Cutthroat Gents?

Bob

Nope. Cutthroat Gents is run by a guy named Jonathan Garcia in California. Sorry for the confusion.

Also, I don’t plan on taking the razor to my face until it can not only shave a patch of hair off my arm well; but also be able to cut arm hairs at mid level without touching my my skin.