Thread: Hello

Hello all. Fairly new to wet/DE shaving. I came across a like new Hess Hair Milk #99 6/8 straight today at an antique show. He had quite a few cut throats but this thing was pristine. Did some brief research, made him an offer and now it's mine. Next up, a stone and a strop. I have a strop I use for my knives and stropped it a bit, but it needs some more work before it's truly shave ready.

Welcome to the group.
If you have not been using a straight razor or honed them id recommend you sending it to someone here that can hone it for you. The last thing you want to do is try to learn to use a straight with a non perfect edge. Honing and using a straight takes months to perfect. Some folks it takes a couple years to learn to hone properly. Now 8f you have played with knifes and know how to sharpen, then your in a harder spot to learn to hone. All type of bad habits to break. Sharpening is not honing.

Still we are happy to have ya in the group. Read the section in our library about begginners. It will help you to learn a lot to start with and lots of other great info in there too. Let us know if you need any help or advice. We are here to help.

You know anyone local? I am in your neck of the woods.

Hello and welcome to SRP.
Be careful. Honing a razor is very different than sharpening a knife.
Most will tell you that the usual progression of events is to have the razor professionally honed and learn to shave with it first, and let the honing come later. Many people have tried, failed and end up screwing up a perfectly good razor.
Do what you think is right.

Good luck and enjoy your time here on the forum.

Pete <:-}

Gasman / Jerry has a bit of experience honing blades. C'mon, Jerry, help a newbie out!

Welcome to the forum! Hess razors are quality shavers, and I hope you enjoy learning this new sport.

I've wanted to try straight razors for a long time, but there is a certain fear to overcome! The good thing about fear though, is it usually comes with respect. And that respect can help you stay safe.

Welcome to the forum. Good advice so far. A lot of knowledgeable gentlemen here and that have taught me a lot. I put my self at disadvantage by trying to hone a razor (which now I know was not in the best condition) myself at the beginning. Don't try to do it alone! Even some brand new razors that are supposed to be shave ready still need to be sent to professionals for honing.

Welcome to the forum. Wish I could add to the good advice already given but I can't except to say I'd follow it. I don't think anyone approaches learning to shave with a straight razor without fear raising it's head. You are right because that indicates you have respect for the tool. When you do get proficient with a straight razor do not get complacent and loose that respect. The razor will show you PDQ who is boss if you do that. Have fun enjoy the journey.

Bob

I have chatted with this guy on PM and he will give me a call tomorrow. Guess its time to earn that mentor badge face to face and not just on the forum. I will get his razor honed up on my next days off and help him on his way to the learning of straight razors.

Good man Jerry. And welcome to the forum moralmaven.


Mick