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  1. #1
    Anti Shaver Retrogrouch Convert CRUM's Avatar
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    Default Howdy From Maine

    Where to begin? I haven't shaved in over 28 years. Didn't see the point. God created my whiskers, so I guess he/she meant for me to let em hang. And even if God didn't, they came with the package, so I went with it. Actually I guess I was/am just a lazy so and so.

    In an effort to address the changes that we all go through and search for, especially at the end of year, I figured I would chop off the fur to see what my face looks like after almost 57 years on the planet. But if I was going to committ to this new look thing, I was going to do it in style. As a kid visiting my aunt and uncle in the summer, I was fascinated at the process my uncle went through every other day or so with his straight razor. It was almost ceremonial. A serious thing, this keeping his face clean shaven.

    So anyway, I am looking to go straight. After lurking in this forum and a couple of others, I have to say I have been alternately scared witless and encouraged. Since I am an impulsive SOB, I am going to follow through here. My questions are several and I won't bother you with them here. Just an intro to say hey.

    Well I lied - This edit add on is about questions I have.

    Why are Zeepk razors bad? What makes them suck? I was going to go with one as a starter, but have been convinced from the many comments I should not. I am looking at a Dovo. But I am contemplating a Zeepk anyway just to practice my honing. I enjoy the Hell out of keeping edges sharp on knives, tools, etc. This conversion is more than just getting a shave, It's about trying new things.
    Last edited by CRUM; 01-09-2009 at 12:50 PM.

  2. #2
    Senior Member dward's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by CRUM View Post
    Why are Zeepk razors bad? What makes them suck? I was going to go with one as a starter, but have been convinced from the many comments I should not. I am looking at a Dovo. But I am contemplating a Zeepk anyway just to practice my honing. I enjoy the Hell out of keeping edges sharp on knives, tools, etc. This conversion is more than just getting a shave, It's about trying new things.

    They won't take an edge. You are better off buying a razor off ebay or from an antique shop/fair. Some place in this site there is a list of razors to avoid like the plague. Look through that list if you are contemplating anything new on ebay.

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    CRUM (01-09-2009)

  4. #3
    Comrade in Arms Alraz's Avatar
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    People say that steel they use to make Zeepks in not hard enough to hold an edge. I think Kenrup said that Zeepks are made with recycled steel. I am not sure that trying to hone the "unhonable" would make you learn how to hone but that is just my opinion. If you are on a budget, the razors in the classifieds seem like a pretty good option.

    Al raz.

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    CRUM (01-09-2009)

  6. #4
    Senior Member AlanII's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by CRUM View Post
    Why are Zeepk razors bad? What makes them suck? I was going to go with one as a starter, but have been convinced from the many comments I should not. I am looking at a Dovo. But I am contemplating a Zeepk anyway just to practice my honing. I enjoy the Hell out of keeping edges sharp on knives, tools, etc. This conversion is more than just getting a shave, It's about trying new things.
    The steel is very poor quality hence not taking an edge. A Double Arrow seems like a good thing to practise on. I don't own one but the consensus seems to be that even though they won't keep an edge for as long as the better blades, they will take one and give a good shave. If you want a cheap(ish) practise honer that is a good razor too, there's always the Wapienca.

    …and of course, welcome.

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    CRUM (01-09-2009)

  8. #5
    Anti Shaver Retrogrouch Convert CRUM's Avatar
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    Default Thanks Guys

    Well I guess I won't even bother with Zeepk. Nothing I hate worse than a cheap knife. I figure I will have the same opinion of a cheap straiight razor. Dovo it is.

    Now I have lurked enough and read enough to know you people cannot stress how important using a "Shave ready" razor is. And almost as importatnt is that a virgin such as myself should not take it upon himself to try to hone my first one. Leave it to a more experienced user. But my abilities with other blades is good. I have many years of keeping my tools, chisels, knives etc sharpened properly. It is that ego thing. But I will make my first purchase a shave ready razor. Down the road though I want to do it myself. I have had wonderful success with the DMT line of hones. I do not have one of their what is it, extra extra fine hone? Would adding this to my collection be enough to take cake of the final honing after using the next one up, which I have? Seems silly to purchase more hones than I need.

    Again, thank you much folks for the quick response and information.

  9. #6
    Senior Member smokelaw1's Avatar
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    I'll second the vote for the double arrow. I just got two off e-bay for about $25 shipped! One of them is so off center you have to hold the blade tot he side to close it, or else it cuts the scales. BUT---I have practiced honing on them, and have now turned a piece of metal that would tug and rip to one that will shave, not comfrtable yet....but I'm getting there. I'm amazed at just how different it is than getting my knives sharp as sin (which I am pretty good at). The edge it can get is quite remarkeable. I have one that was honed by one of our resident masters, and it's pretty amazing for such an inexpensive razor. But as has been said above, that edge doesn't last long before needing a touch-up.

    So you haven't shave since before you were 30? It's going to be interesting to see that bare face after all this time! A pictorial would be nice. Might want to wait till after the Maine winter to shave off that face warmer, though!!!

    Welcome, enjoy the ride and the learning curve.

  10. #7
    Senior Member blabbermouth jnich67's Avatar
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    Welcome to the board. I'm sure it will be interesting to see yourself in the mirror after so much time with beard. As I'm sure you've read here, there are many hones out there. I'm not familiar with the DMT products. You'll want to finish on something in the 8K grit range at least. Chromium oxide powder on a wood or leather strop is an inexpensive and easy finishing fix for many.

    Jordan

    Edit: Oh, and Howard from theperfectedge.com can probably answer any questions you may have about the DMTs and other hones. He's a great resource and not too far from you.
    Last edited by jnich67; 01-09-2009 at 01:58 PM.

  11. #8
    Senior Member blabbermouth
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    Howdy,

    Sharpening a razor will probably require more than one hone or grit. Maintaining an edge can be done with one hone, but once on the slippery slope of hone acquisition you will more than likely slip and slide like the rest of us and get... oh, a couple more.

    I sharpen tools for myself and had to unlearn some of the heavy handed approaches that work for coarser edges. You also may have some that educational process before your razor honing becomes progress.

    good luck, good shaving,

  12. #9
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    Maine is also a treasure trove of antique stores, just waiting for you to find your next razor!

  13. #10
    Senior Member kahunamoose's Avatar
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    What everyone else says about inexpensive Zeepks, Kriegers, others, all of the $10 surgical stainless steel blades out there. The metal is so low grade it just crumbles when you “sharpen” it down thin enough to be razor sharp. You can drive yourself crazy chasing an edge that can’t happen. You will be fine with the current stone collection you have EXCEPT you will need to add one or two stones in the 4000 and 8000 grit range, water type stones that will slowly dissolve as you hone on them. The resulting sludge is what really hones the blades. If you polish your chisels on leather with abrasives, this is what pasted strops are here and they are a cheap way to get a fabulous edge on a razor. Also read up on taping the razor’s spine, you can do lots of honing learning without wearing down the blade or messing it up too much as you make your learning mistakes. I see you got “ego”. I know that one. Get a Norton 4000/8000 waterstone, read and HEED the info you can collect here, and you will have NO PROBLEM getting this razor honing thing down. It will take a while, but it will come.

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