Quote Originally Posted by RazorFang View Post
Hi Ladies and Gents,

I'm new to the forum! Hope you don't mind a South African joining in.

I got my interest piqued the other day when reading an article about straight razors, and started chatting to my father about it, and this morning, after a sleepless night for preparing for an exam, he handed me a little box with my Great Grandfather's Osbourne, Garrett & Co. 'Kropp' contained inside it.

I'm quite psyched about it. I will post photo's of it as soon as I have it in a neat condition (considering it has 50+ years worth of dust on it).

I'm really glad I decided to sign up, although I can't do much other than chat. Unfortunately living in ZA has it's limits. I found out today a whetstone would cost me one-fith my salary, and ever since Gillette made it's debut in ZA, all the old folks tossed out their straight razors, so finding an antique to serve as a "project razor", would be harder than finding a chicken with teeth!

Welcome and I hope you did well in your exam after a sleepless night.

Lightly oil your Kropp, for some reason razors that have been fine
sitting in the dark rust when discovered. I suspect that it is a quality
shaver if the Kropp razors I have are any measure.

Post pictures as it is. No need to tidy it up.
The before and after pictures tell a richer story
when all is done and said.

There are others in ZA that are fans of
straight razors on this forum so keep an eye out for
a local member that can help you hone your
blade correctly.

Given the apparent expense of whetstones
to you consider sending the razor out for the
initial honing. With the correct statements
and documentation you should be OK with
customs. Do insure it as stuff does get lost
on international shipping.

Sending an old razor out is a bargain for the
first tune up. The professionals often have
a set of hones from coarse to astounding finishers
that together are expensive as heck.

Maintaining a correctly sharpened blade is
a much simpler task so the initial expense is
less.

So tell us what you shave with now...
The blade is only part of the solution.