Thread: Well, My Turn...

How-do, Gang.

Another active B&B forum member here who realized it was time to stop lurking at SRP and get involved.

I've been a Merkur HD user for a year or so, but I've always known I needed to learn how to use and maintain a straight. It's something I plan to approach slowly and with a healthy dose of research, which I've been engaged in for about a month now. Every day I'm reading and searching and typing key words.

Recently, I put together an initial list of future investments, among them a round point 5/8 or 6/8, with a 1/4 hollow ground, something inexpensive to suffer all my newbie mistakes.
I also was thinking a Tony Miller horsehide/linen strop, a latigo practice strop, a paddle strop with chromium oxide and maybe, eventually, a DMT D8EE for resharpening.

I mentioned all this just last night at B&B, and then it struck me - maybe you guys should get a chance to critique that list of potential buys.

So, here I am. To those of you who have contributed so much to this lurker's learning, I thank you.

Hi,
Welcome over! It all sounds good. The DMT D8EE is a useful bit of kit, but it's a bit coarse to finish a razor. I used mine today to finish a bevel, then onto a BBW, then a Coti, then a Thuringian, so it was used a fair way before the end.
Why are you after a 1/4 hollow? Just interested. If you buy new make sure you get them to hone it. Other than that keep an eye on the classifieds, as there are some good razors in there usually & most are shave ready
To be honest, you're unlikely to need all that to begin with & you'd be better getting a shave ready razor & a strop. That way you can decide if you like it & get an idea of what you want too. Tony Miller's stuff has a fantastic reputation, & he seems like a gent too.
Good luck!

There are quite a few nice, shave ready razors for sub $100 at the moment, might be worth a look.

Good luck, enjoy the experience.

Hi, Ben.

Well, the DMT D8EE would be to resharpen but the chromium oxide paddle strop would be the primary finisher. I understand it's much smoother than diamond pastes, and I'm trying to avoid a lot of stones that need lapping.
Purchasing one stone that gives a good edge sounds good; buying a stone that gives a good edge but needs lapping from another expensive stone doesn't.

As for 1/4 hollow, I'm not sure. I'm a new guy, and it looks like new guys are generally advised to avoid either wedges or full hollows. 1/4 seemed a decent compromise, though I guess a 3/4 might do.
I don't know.
Round point makes sense, though. I can picture sliding a sharp point deep into my cheek with a simple slip. No thanks.

Round point is good!
There's no one stone to do it all really. A Chinese 12k is a cheap finisher, but so's a barber hone. They are good for touch up's & will keep an edge going for ages!
You can lap stones with wet & dry paper on glass if you ever need to.
Don't stress too much about the grind. You'll end up wanting to try them all anyway!

Welcome! Looks like you've already done some good research there. Good luck! Don't forget to check out the classifieds here for a razor that strikes your fancy, and I'm sure you're already aware, but make sure whatever you get is "shave ready" or "pre-honed" by a reputable source before you try shaving with it!

Welcome to SRP spatterdash... I've been shaving with a straight since november and even if the shaves arent always that good I'm having a lot of fun shaving and thats the first time in my life..

goodluck with your new shaving stuff and dont forget to have fun!

Maarten

Welcome to SRP. You're list of gear will work and the posts above make good recommendations. In the end it is you're decision. Only you know for sure what path you want to take. What ever the path is there are good resources in the archives to help you make a good decision and good suggestions are only a question away. Good luck!

Welcome!
I have reservations about how 8k the DMT EE really is.