Thread: New Strop Hanging

I received this in the mail yesterday: 2 1/2" Old No.2 Artisan European Steerhide Strop with flax linen. It's hanging on a hook in my bathroom.

It's my first and only strop. It is the work of an artist. I'm sure I'll buy others.

I love leather. I won't own a holster that ain't made from dead animals. I won't wear shoes and boots (except tennis shoes) that ain't made from dead animals. I guess that I'm on PETA's hit list.

To get started straight razor shaving, I'm waiting on this to be delivered: https://www.boker.de/us/knife-sharpener/09BB002.html I sharpen my own hunting knives. I can figure out how to sharpen straight razors.

All I have left to buy is pre-shave, a silver tip badger brush, shaving soap (not sure if shaving soap would be better than Shave Butter or Neutrogena) a lathering bowl, and Band-Aids ;-)

I still ain't sold on the time required to straight razor shave, but I'm fixin' to try it.

Ain't no girly men straight razor shaving. They're probably at salons getting waxed.

Originally Posted by TreeBrand

I sharpen my own hunting knives. I can figure out how to sharpen straight razors.

Believe I have heard that somewhere before.

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

Believe I have heard that somewhere before.

Bob

I'm guessin' you've heard it from Jim Bowie, but it mighta been Daniel Boone.

Nope, just a bunch of knife guys over the years who know it all and ruin a razor or three until they figure out that they don't.

Originally Posted by TreeBrand

I'm guessin' you've heard it from Jim Bowie, but it mighta been Daniel Boone.

yea, Jim Bowie. That's why the bear got him. His first knife wasn't sharp enough. He figured a bigger one would compensate.

Originally Posted by TreeBrand

I'm guessin' you've heard it from Jim Bowie, but it mighta been Daniel Boone.

I'll give you a quote from an earlier thread of yours, "I've been reading all that I can about shaving with straight razors.".

There are plenty of posts on here about learning to shave with a straight razor. Common to a lot of them is the advice to take it slow and allow about 3 months of shaving with a straight razor to become halfway proficient doing it.

There are plenty of posts on here about honing too and how much different it is than sharpening a knife. How people who claimed to be competent knife and tool sharpeners found out that that skill does not necessarily translate into easy peasy honing at first go. Also common advice to learn to shave first before learning to hone. You can do both at the same time but it is easier to tackle shaving first then honing.

Was any of that reading done on here? Not trying to discourage you but a reality check may be in order to avoid massive disappointment and discouragement.

Bob

Originally Posted by TreeBrand

Ain't no girly men straight razor shaving. They're probably at salons getting waxed.

I've watched this video a few times. It's a cool video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ci9DT0qB3hc

Honing anything steel requires thought. The right stone is crucial. I live Belgian Ardennes: http://www.ardennes-coticule.be/en/producten One has to know if a new edge is required or if an edge needs polishing to a fine cutting edge: https://www.sharpeningsupplies.com/S...ening-W41.aspx Knowing the angle of an edge is crucial.

There are numerous youtube videos on honing straight razors.

I am not a knife guy. I have a few knives that I use for big game hunting. But I never carry a knife. I've seen a guy trying to cut plastic put a Buck 110 deep into his thigh. When I'm in wilderness, I know that a knife wound can be every bit as deadly as a gunshot wound. However, I do appreciate a good knife. It will make a very physical job a whole lot easier.

A straight razor is an exceptionally sharp piece of steel. It does have a more acute angle. While I've never sharpened a straight razor, I'm 100% confident that I can sharpen one without damaging it.

There is always risk when a sharp object comes into contact with human skin. Hence, complete attention to task is required to avoid injury.

I'm darn near useless in mornings without a couple cups of strong, black coffee. Then I'm good-to-go.

Familiarity with any tool is essential before using it. This is especially true when injury is possible. I've held my straight razors and simulated shaving with them. However, before I straight razor shave, I need a few more products: a silver tip badger brush, a lathering bowel, pre-shave lotion, tallow soap, and my Boker honing stone which is en route to my home as I submit this post: https://www.boker.de/us/knife-sharpener/09BB002.html

I'm not hasty about straight razor shaving. Straight razors are known as cut-throat razors for a reason. When I begin straight razor shaving, I will proceed cautiously. I'll probably have my girlfriend watch what I'm doing. If she sees potential danger, she'll warn me.

In the end, I might return to my Fusion. But I do love the whole process of straight razor shaving. And straight razors have an allure that is beyond cool.

Brontosaurus,

That's not what I meant. I meant straight razor shaving is not for the faint-of-heart.

BTW, I have seen a few of the Razor Queen's youtube videos. She is amazing.

Originally Posted by TreeBrand

I sharpen my own hunting knives. I can figure out how to sharpen straight razors.

It will only be a matter of time before we will see threads like: "Help required, I ruined my razor's edge" in the beginners' section.
BTW don't forget to get a practice strop. You will really upset Tony Miller if you ruin his beautiful work of art that took him hours to make. It will take an overconfident noob split seconds to destroy.