Thread: Just bought my first straight razor...need a little advice

Got a shavette and safety razor for Christmas. Now that I've become pretty proficient in both, decided to step up to a 6/8 DOVO Bismarck. It arrived yesterday and now I have a few questions. Looking to get it honed but want to keep it local. 1-Anyone know of a honemeister in Georgia or South Carolina that I could take it to when it's ready?
2-Any tips on my first shave with it?
3-Any tips on exactly what I'll need to home my own razor? I'd prefer to use stone but open to other ideas.

Thank you.

Hello and welcome to the fold of straight razor shaving.

I can't advise you on a local honer, hopefully someone will chip in soon. Check out the classified section, there is a few hone services advertised there.

Prep your stubble well, with hot, hot water. Then with a badger brush work a good lather (with quality shave cream) into your stubble. Take your time and stretch your skin with your other hand. I do 3 passes, 1st with the grain, 2nd across the grain, then 3rd against the grain. (rinsing and re lathering after every pass) You will get the feel for it pretty soon.
I would recommend watching some Youtube video's if your in any doubt.

As far as what you will need to hone your razor yourself, I would recommend a quality Dovo strop. 1 with linen on 1 side with fine leather on the other. You will need to strop your razor every time you use it. Again watch Youtube clips.
There are various different stones to go for. Bit of a minefield actually. I use a Coticule as 1 stone will do the whole process. Check out this website for more info- http://www.coticule.be/home.html
However if your going to be restoring blades, I would recommend a selection of stones progressing from 250 Grit to 1000 Grit working up to finer stones.

I hope this helps.

I don't live in GA but if you can't find any one closer to you I will hone it provided you pay shipping. You can PM me to work out the details if interested. Again it would be free except shipping on your end. I am no pro but my face, arms and patches of my legs have no hair. I still suggest you try and find someone closer to you that you can actually meet up with so you can learn some tips and tricks. Videos are great but interaction is better.

For stones that you will need, you might want to hold off on honing for a bit till you get shaving down. Also, do you have a strop. You didn't mention if you do or don't. A strop is a must. Get a good one with smooth leather and some kind of fabric. I use denim but there are many options including canvas, sail cloth, newspaper, poly web and so on.

If you must get some stones right away. I suggest some kind of 1k stone be it diamond or synthetic (I guess the diamond is synthetic). It doesn't have to be exactly 1k. I use a 1200 grit diamond stone that is really old and is probably more like 1800 or 2k grit now. It is my most used stone as I use it for knives and razors. After that I would say something like a 4k. Here you have several option mostly synthetic though I use a coticule with slurry or a Belgian Blue with slurry. Again my coticule is my second most used stone. It is a very versatile stone especially when used with slurry. I suggest at first you stick with synthetics so maybe a Norton 4k or Naniwa.

After the 4k, you'll want to get an 8k. You can get a good deal by getting a Norton 4k/8k combo stone. In fact this is probably the most popular stone amongst us. Lots of people have used exclusively this stone for some time. This could be the one and only stone you would ever need if you never restore razors and start with a decent edge.

After the 8k its all up to you. You don't need to get anything else after that but if you want to then its cherries on the top.

As for other ideas about honing razors. People have thought up "new" and "improved" ways with gadgets and systems. I'm sure some people have gotten great edges with them but the cost of these systems and the complication they add is more than they're worth if they even work better. 99% of us will tell you that stones is the best way to go and usually that is coming from experience and past experimentation.

Tips on shaving. Go Slow. Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast. Also Smooth is Smooth which is what were all looking for right. Don't loose focus but the number 1 thing is don't be so scared that your hands are shaking and you slit your throat...j/k kinda. You said you have experience with a shavette so you should be used to the technique however the dovo will be heavier than the shavette.

Sorry for the long type. Hope it helps. Again PM me if you can't find anyone near you to hone.

Welcome! I spent many months at Ft. Gordon some years ago.

Where did you purchase the razor?