Thread: de-Lurking newbie

Well, after several weeks of lurking and reading everything I could find, I finally dove in to the world of straight razors.



I bought a new Double Arrow (?) off ebay... and then of course, I needed a strop, so I bought a red latigo from The Well Shaved Gentleman. I bought Lynn's DVD, because it seems to be the highest rated DVD since Casablanca. And I got some green powder from ChrisL (I already had shaptons for my knives).

Then, while checking out stuff on ebay, I figured I'd bid on a lot of poorly identified razors for sharpening practice. (I have a lot of experience sharpening knives, and had my local barber, who still does shaving, and with straights, no less, show me how he sharpens his, so I figured I'd give it a try).

$25 got me seven razors, from top to bottom:

Cleveland Cutlery Co. Solingen
O Friedrich (?), Wald Germany Hand Forged
JA Henckels Twinworks, Soligen Germany (Marked on opposite Graef & Schmidt)
Filarmonica Double Temple.
what looks like Shumar Razor Co (it's a bit rusty, but once had gold wash)
something with writing I can't read, a crown symbol and, unfortunately, a chip in the blade
and a Bengall (not shown).

The Cleveland solingen, the Henckels, and the Bengal, are in amazing shape. A little tarnish, but no rust and perfect scales. The Filarmonica metal is fine, but the scales are warped. Shumar: broken scales and rust. And so on. Winter projects, obviously.

Of course, since I am going to learn to hone, I ran out to Radio Shack and bought the cheapie illuminated 60-100 microscope.

I honed up the Double Arrow, and since I had the stones out, went to work on the Bengall. Both of them took a really sharp edge quickly (shapton 4000, 8000, translucent hard Arkansas for the Bengall to see if it made any difference. [it seemed to polish it considerably as seen under the 'scope -- but was it sharper? I'm not sure. I'll have to do a more scientific shave test later on]. Then onto the strop.

I'll probably make a trip to Home Despot tomorrow for the stuff to make a paddle for the .5 powder.

I already have a passable badger brush and shave cream. Tomorrow may be the big day for my first straight razor shave -- although I may wait for Lynn's DVD to arrive for the full-on instructions!

Anyway, this is a long way of saying thanks, to all of you on SRP, for your helpful posts which helped me to make the jump into straights. I've always been intrigued by straights, and you made it seem possible and much less scary to make the jump!

Cheers,

cassady

Congratulations. You scored on those razors for $25. You'll have fun!

Chris L

Welcome to SRP,

Some nice razors in that lot. I'd suggest that you check with your barber whether he thinks your razors are honed well before shaving. Keep us posted on how it works out with the shave etc.

Welcome!!

Looks like you are off to a good start. Don't be afraid to ask as many questions as you need. That is why we are here.

James.

You are off to a great start!

Welcome.

Congrats on your bis score & welcome to the wonderful world of Razor Acquisition Disorder

Welcome to SRP!!!
Always great to hear about someone new stepping onto the path of straight shaving. Another candidate to pass on the traditions and skills.
Great score on those razors for that price!
Have fun.

Well, day two.

This morning, I decided to test out the razors with a shave. Not too bad. One bite over my lip that came from my own hesitation (and bad angle, no doubt). Only one pass to get used to everything. Start slow.

Then I got the mail. Lynn's video came! I watched the whole thing. Wow, is that DVD amazing!! Lynn, if you ever read this, thanks a million for the most helpful video ever. I am much obliged.

Since my highest stone is an 8k, I made myself a paddle by sawing a stair spoke in half and sanding it into shape. Couldn't get balsa (will get it tomorrow), so I glued an old vegetable-dyed belt around the outside. It's still drying, so I haven't put the chrome ox on the belt yet. Is that a reasonable option? I'm a little leary of putting it on the back of my barely used Tony Miller Apprentice. It wouldn't be a problem to put it on the balsa, once I get it -- I'm just a little impatient (and then the belt can just be decoration, or for stropping, I suppose). Any thoughts?

Having watched Lynn hone on the video, I rehoned the razors using a conservative pyramid. I'm used to knives, so I had done a progressive hone before. There was a difference, but I can't say if it was the pyramid or technique. I can say, however, that I have no hair left on the underside of my arms.

Also got some aftershave (for my face, not my arms). Gotta get me some fancy soap/cream -- I have some Bert's Bees cake soap, and the kiss my face stuff I've been using wiith my DE (I have been using a brush for years).

And I read many more threads on SRP. There's so much knowledge here, and so many helpful and compassionate people. Many thanks, again!

Day three:

A successful, bloodless shave this morning! (knock wood). Two passes. Pretty close shave, although not angelic baby bottom close, but a good start methinks. Fortunately, I wear a goatee so I didn't have to deal with chin shaving.

Also did a little shopping: went to the mall to pick up some fancy cream (body shop) and aftershave (same), and while I was there I got the C&E badger brush that is so highly acclaimed. And I got some balsa wood, so my DIY paddle strop is one more step to completion!

Oh yeah, I also got some Rain-X for the bathroom mirror!

cass