Thread: Dipping a Toe in the Water

So, last night at my in-laws, I found 3 old straight razors that he offered to let me try. I have never shaved with a straight razor, but a quick bit of Googling brought me here. Great forum and Wiki and now I am very jazzed to try my hand at this.

Questions: One of the razors is a CV Heljestrand, No. 24 with a 3/8 blade. Is 3/8 too narrow for a beginner? The other blades are Wester Bros. and I believe are 4/8, but at least one of them appears to have a nick in the blade. Thoughts on how to proceed? Can a nick be fixed?

On another note, the Heljestrand belonged to my wife's great-uncle in Norway. I saw a picture of the guy and he had truly impressive 19th Century mustaches! Perhaps that explains the narrowness of the blade.

Thanks in advance for the help.

The 3/8 can be fine for shaving but it can be a much greater challenge to strop because it is so easy to roll it. The spine and edge need to both maintain even contact on the strop surface. If you lift the spine, this puts lateral pressure in the delicate edge and it gets rolled over.

Depending on the size, a nick can be fixed by honing it out. Really, the first start for using them is getting them honed properly.

If these razors have sentimental value, you might want to start with something else because it is easy for a beginner to damage a razor by dropping it or hitting it against the sink.

Welcome to SRP baldeagle. Glad you found this forum as this is the place for information on shaving with a straight razor. If you're going to give shaving with a straight a try, one of the most important pieces of info to have is to know whether the razors have been honed and are truely shave ready. They may feel sharp, but sharp and shave ready are 2 different things. As far as the blade size, back when I started, my first razor was a 3/8 and I posted basically the same question. One of the first reponses I got was from Lynn and he suggested that a 3/8 would probably be a hard razor to learn how to shave with. He said learning proper stropping technique and correct angles would be difficult with such a small blade. His recommendation was to start with a 5/8 or larger as it would be easier. So I now pass on his advice to you, try to start with one of the larger blades if it is shave ready. If it is not, check the classifieds here for a member who offers honing services. Also, be sure to read the wiki before getting started and Lynn's post in the Beginner section, "First Straight Shave-Read First." Best of luck and keep us posted.

Hi, and welcome to SRP!

I'd just like to reinforce the importance of shave ready. The first few shaves can be tough even with a shave ready razor, and if the razor isn't shave ready, then you can really be hard on your face.

Look here for someone nearby that can hone one of the razors up properly for you, so you know you are starting with quality.
Member Services - Straight Razor Place Classifieds

Thank you, Gents! I have ordered a 5/8" from the classifieds, which is advertised as being shave ready. Not too expensive, so there will be no salty tears of regret if I damage it.

I appreciate the quick responses and look forward to my new adventure.

People at these forums typically know what the term "shave ready" means and can get it for you. My recommendation for your next step is to take those razors you got from your in laws and send them to someone like lynn for proper honing. Your mrs will appreciate it

When you get the 4/8ths up to snuff you will find them to be good shavers..4/8ths are like fat chicks and mopeds...fun but you don't want anyone to see you on one. I have a couple and they are my favorites. easy to move around the face for a learner..The 3/8 is a little trickier in my book. Along with rolling on the strop, I have had a harder time with the angles on the face..Although I do have a couple of those also and once you get it, hey to are good shavers...Just not good to learn with...In my book anyway...But I can only talk about shaving, been doing that for years...

Sounds like you have some great razors, of course we'd all love to see pics.

3/8 size blades are generally for trimming, which is why your wife's relative may have had one, since he sported a moustache. There is no reason they can not give a full shave, and I have used one myself several times for the job.

Swedish steel is amongst the best out there IMHO, so consider yourself lucky as long as the blade is in good condition.

Many here will say 5/8s are the standard blade size for a beginner, and of course they probably are. I can contest having started on one myself. Some do start on 6/8 and 13/16 as these are common sizes, although I read an early 1900s Barber Manual which actually advised that a beginner should start with a 4/8.