Thread: hello

Hello all,

for a long time I've wanted to try straight razor shaving but I did not have a razor. I recently fixed this problem when I came across one in my father's workshop.

I found a Shumate's #135 in a nice box. My father tells me that it came from his grandfather. Now, I know next to nothing about razors is this #135 the right one to start out on? or is there a better razor to start with?

The blade is in very nice condition, and sharp enough that I determined that it does not need to be honed. I don't have a proper razor strop, I only have some carving strops, (My father is a cabinet builder/wood carver) the only problem is that he has treated his strops with various different aggressive sharpening compounds. I don't want to trash the edge but I know its not sharp enough to shave, I can feel that! I am not sure what the compounds are, would it be safe to use on the razor? I also saw an article on the wiki saying that a strip of leather could be used. what sort of leather? I have 1/2 a hide of veg tanned 6oz saddle leather, if that would work please let me know!

Are there any recommended accessories to go with the razor? Honestly I really want to start shaving regularly with it while I am away at college.

Sorry if there was a "Newbie's read this prior to posting and it will answer all of the questions you have" thread that I have not read yet.

Thanks!
~Casey

Welcome to SRP, Casey!

The saddle leather does not sound so bad if it is really smooth.
I'd either give this a try or use newsprint. (Black oxide treated already)
There's a stropping 101 in the Wiki for sure.
You better read this before you start.

Welcome.

A lot of tough questions there. The razor is great. I'd say most of your answers are "probably". I think you could sharpen the blade on your Dad's stuff, using the highest grit he might have and strop on leather afterward.

Most guys recommend a shaving brush and some nice soaps or creams. I would recommend an alum block for little cuts/nicks.

Without pictures it would be hard to know for sure. I would get the basic gear and make judgements based on a comparison, or try it and see how it goes, and ask more questions.

Anyway, welcome to the group.

Thanks for the advice! pictures are something that I can provide! just let me finish fixing up a test leather strip!

~Casey

Ok, Here is the strop I threw together out of 6-7oz veg tanned saddle leather.



for refrence it is sitting on a 1 inch thick desktop

and my razor




tell me what your thoughts are on that strop!
Thanks!
~Casey

Welcome, +1 with most answers given. As someone who did my first shave June 3 there's only a few tid bits I may offer. Being new and uncertian of this razor it would not be a bad idea to have it professionally sharpened before you begin.(There are people who do this in the classifieds) Besides being certian of a quality edge it would afford you time to learn from the wiki and hunt down other items like a proper strop, shave soap,mug and brush, ect.... also you can ask questions that will a rise. Str8 shaving is not something you do in 5 minutes on your out the door, it is an art that takes a little time and is really satisifing when done right. Working with razors themselves can become a satisifing pastime.
Remember to start slow be patient and learn continually.

Enuf2 - I will be getting my razor sharpened tomorrow at work. Along with my father being a wood worker he also owns and operates a franchise of woodcraft where we have on hand 2 professional sharpeners, as well as carry like 1000 different types of stones. I myself have done a fair deal of metal working, but I just can't seem to get the thing to get into the sweet spot of sharp. I've shaved with it once so far and it was challenging to say the least. but it was more a combo of never having done it before, not knowing exactly how to hold it, and the blade not being totally 100% sharp.

I got it pretty close, and have no arm hair anymore hehe. but I only have honing stones at home up to 3000 grit. I think I want a much finer grit, and I will try and aquire one tomorrow.

Now, I don't know if it was tugging or pulling on my face, see I was removing portions of a 2 inch long reletivly thick beard. but it did a fantastic job!

as for the other mentioned things, my dad has always used shave soap as aposed to the canned foam and thusly taught me to use it when I first started shaving. I have a couple of badger hair brushes and a boars hair one as well, plenty of soap and a nice english mug.

guess who's throwing out that gelette fusion! heh.

thanks for the great info!
~Casey

Sounds like you have everything you need! I don't know if you have watched any razor honing videos or browsed around the Honing forum.

I have never honed before, but from what I have read Some finishing hones are 12,000 grit or even greater! I don't think 3000 will cut it (sorry for the pun)!
I am a noob too so, if anyone sees that I am saying anything wrong, sorry.

If I were you, I would send the razor to a person who has a lot of experience with honing actual straight razors and shaves with them. Some people are offering free honing for a limited time for new members! Check it out on the newbie forums.

Welcome to SRP. Great info here!!!