Finally posting on B&B asking for your opinion on my straight razor path.

[njsteffey]

Hey everybody!

So first off, let me introduce myself. My name is Nick and I live in Michigan, USA and have been using a DE razor due to the fear of the unshielded blade of a straight. Now, my curiosity is getting too strong and I am jumping in head first.


The first step that I took was to head to the local antique shops to see if I could even get my hands on one. Here they had a parker sr1 shavette for $3 and I figured it would let me see if my hands could even move in a way to use a straight and not have to worry about if my blade was sharp or not.

So I purchased this, took it home and my shave the next morning was enlightening. I mean it was nothing I would call good or even acceptable, but hey, it was only the first try!

This was the tipping point into my new obsession!

I quickly went from here to my computer to look up Whipped Dog and get some proper equipment that won't break the bank. But I knew I would not be satisfied here. If I am going to get into this, I am going all the way! So I knew that I would like to begin the journey of learning to hone as well as just strop.

Back to that antique shop we go! Where I remembered them having a few straights that were in rough shape. $8 later, I now own 2 straights that are nowhere near shaving condition that will be my learning blades to attempt a restoration and honing without worrying about destroying my new, nice one from Whipped Dog.

All said and done I think I have some more reading to do, but I think I hit the head first approach dead on.


Finally, attached are some pictures of my beater blades. But with all of my searching, I cannot seem to find any info on either. So I ask you all to please see if you know anything about them and if they are in fact beaters, or ones I would be better off sending in to be professionally done so I could use them.

Thanks,
Nick

 

[tomtom42]

Hello Nick,

greetings from another neewbie :=)

Your 2 antique razors do seem to be in decent shape (as far as I can see).

I can't read the brand on the black one, but I found a little bit of information about the makers of the blonde one:

(quoted from a german forum):

Julius Mandler & Sohn,
Solingen-Wald, Oben-Itter-Strasse 27 um 1939.
Brandname: 'Fram'

So this predates WW2 ...

As it is an old Solingen blade I think this will be a very nice shaver once it is properly honed!

good luck on your journey into str8ts!!


br,
T°M

 

[wquiles]

Welcome to B&B

 

[Captain Pre-Capsize]

Have been using straights for over a year now, no going back believe me. Go to Youtube and check out Geofatboy videos on shaving, that is what made it a cinch for me.

 

[njsteffey]

Sorry, the black one says "THE ILLINOIS RAZOR" and then a 460 stamped.

 

[Legion]

Both those razors look in quite good enough shape to learn to hone with. Before you do, grab some metal polish like MAAS and give them a good shine. This will remove all the tarnish and cooties, so when you are done honing all you will need to do is strop and shave. It is too late to polish it up after it is sharp, you will mess up the edge and will have to start again.

Neither is fancy or collectable, but both look dependable. Great learner-honer razors. Now you just need some rocks.

 

[Doc226]

Both those razors look in quite good enough shape to learn to hone with. Before you do, grab some metal polish like MAAS and give them a good shine. This will remove all the tarnish and cooties, so when you are done honing all you will need to do is strop and shave. It is too late to polish it up after it is sharp, you will mess up the edge and will have to start again.

Neither is fancy or collectable, but both look dependable. Great learner-honer razors. Now you just need some rocks.

What he ^ said