getting started with straight razors

[cesium]

I've been using a DE for several years now, and find myself looking for a new challenge. I tried the shavette thing, and I'm getting pretty decent shaves out of it now, but I think it's time to move on.

I'm worried that I'm going to ruin my first straight, as I have every intention of learning to hone it myself. I'm also a little concerned that I may not have time for it in the morning, may not like it, etc... so I don't want to break the bank on the first one.

I don't want to shy away from honing it- if I can't do it for myself, I don't see me sticking with it long term. I figure if I can put an edge on my Gransfors bruks hatchet that I can shave my arm with, I should be able to do it for my straight razor with the help of youtube and this forum.

That being said, it's entirely possible I'll **** the whole thing up. I'm prepared to toast a razor in the process for the sake of education. I'm prepared for some lousy shaves. I consider myself warned.

Sooooo, the question is- do you guys think the Timor blue steel razor would be a good "learning razor" to start my journey? It's inexpensive, ~alright~ quality, and if I junk it I won't be heartbroken. It doesn't come prehoned so I will be jumping in on day one.

I'll also need a strop, which I'm told I will likely destroy/cut/nick in fairly short order until I get my technique down. It's been suggested I go modest to start. I was thinking about the Illinois Razor Strop Co. 206 Hanging Razor Strop. I'll also need a strop paste. I had this in mind:
Thiers Issard Razor Sharpening Paste.

As for sharpening stones... I have yet to research this aspect. What would people suggest? Do I have to go through a wetshaving business, or is canadian tire a valid source? What product would people suggest?


Does this sound like a reasonable approach? Am I being absolutely foolish? There seems to be a wealth of information on youtube about honing and stropping your straight razor. I can't see why I can't learn it. I'm not in a rush. Would love to hear people's thoughts on the matter.

 

[Krodor]

you've checked here?
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showth...ight-Razors-*************Look-Here***********

many people like what they find here:
http://whippeddog.com/products/view/sight-unseen-deal

or here:
http://shop.starshaving.com/Leather-Hanging-Strops_c2.htm

you don't want paste on your final strop.

what is Timor Blue Steel razor? link or picture would be good.

STRONGLY suggest not trying to hone your own from scratch. If you do want to go that way, get two: one for you to play with, and one pre-honed by someone who knows what they are doing, so that you have a reference.

hones? typically folks will either point you to a lapped coticule (don't get a La Grise as a beginner, in my opinion), a norton 4k/8k + DMT D8C, or lapping films. (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/283576-Lapping-film-try-it)

 

[trick420]

I'm also a little concerned that I may not have time for it in the morning, may not like it, etc... so I don't want to break the bank on the first one.

I can straight shave as fast as DE shave, and I get the same DFS or BBS face with either (although I get fewer weepers from the straight). For me a shave is max. about 10 minutes from start to finish for a 3 pass shave. That of course takes practice to get that fast but it's not an unreasonable goal. I think a lot of guys take as long as 20 minutes to do 3 passes too though - ymmv.

You don't have to break the bank, and I think you shouldn't. The common advice (on this board anyway) is if you're starting out, get a Whippeddog sight unseen razor with poor man's strop kit. It's the absolute best way to get started if you have nothing already. Why? 1) Because you will experience a properly honed straight and will know then what you're shooting for regarding edge maintenance. 2) It's a VERY cheap entry point 3) you get a basic strop that you won't cry about when you nick it.

I don't want to shy away from honing it- if I can't do it for myself, I don't see me sticking with it long term. I figure if I can put an edge on my Gransfors bruks hatchet that I can shave my arm with, I should be able to do it for my straight razor with the help of youtube and this forum.

That being said, it's entirely possible I'll **** the whole thing up. I'm prepared to toast a razor in the process for the sake of education. I'm prepared for some lousy shaves. I consider myself warned.

The honing sub forum is your friend. Embrace it and it's frequent members. See my comments below...

And again a great argument for the sight unseen deal above...

Sooooo, the question is- do you guys think the Timor blue steel razor would be a good "learning razor" to start my journey? It's inexpensive, ~alright~ quality, and if I junk it I won't be heartbroken. It doesn't come prehoned so I will be jumping in on day one.

I'll also need a strop, which I'm told I will likely destroy/cut/nick in fairly short order until I get my technique down. It's been suggested I go modest to start. I was thinking about the Illinois Razor Strop Co. 206 Hanging Razor Strop. I'll also need a strop paste. I had this in mind:
Thiers Issard Razor Sharpening Paste.

Yeah, the Illinois strops are ok. They work and I have one that I used for years. You can do way better though. For little outlay you can get a Starshaving strop that is VERY nice, and there are others for more money that are even nicer. Most of the well known artisan makers sell a "practice" strop. That's where you start. Also, again we enter into Whippeddog's territory with the poor man's strop.

As for sharpening stones... I have yet to research this aspect. What would people suggest? Do I have to go through a wetshaving business, or is canadian tire a valid source? What product would people suggest?

I would do all the research I can stand on here and try to decide where to start regarding stones - there is no preferred way other than the 10+ different ways you can read about on here. If you're serious about honing, you need to hang out on the honing sub forum and pay close attention to guys like Doc226, Paco664, and Seraphim, just to name a few. They're all experts in their relative honing discipline of choice, and are all very open-minded about technique and tools. (There are tons of other guys too, these are just a couple of examples. No offense to any of my brothers that I failed to mention). Look for the posts that have video content.

 

[Neognosis]

I agree with all of the above, and am about to get my first straight.

HOWEVER, I won't be getting an old straight to start with, (a la whipped dog), because it is a weird quirk of mine that I don't want something old and used in such a personal manner by another person. Weird, I know, but that's how I am.

 

[dpmtherrien]

I agree with all of the above, and am about to get my first straight.

HOWEVER, I won't be getting an old straight to start with, (a la whipped dog), because it is a weird quirk of mine that I don't want something old and used in such a personal manner by another person. Weird, I know, but that's how I am.

I can relate to this. Its the ICK factor that keeps me away from any used shave stuff.

 

[Krodor]

I can relate to this. Its the ICK factor that keeps me away from any used shave stuff.

Just as an FYI, then, if you get it sent out for honing, specifically ask for it not to be shave tested.

 

[lindyhop66]

Steer away from the Timor. It's one of the bad straights.

I don't understand the Ick factor with vintage razors. It's not like sharing underwear. Vintage straights are great. You can get the German straights for cheap. The new straights are good and are going to cost you more, typically.

 

[Doc226]

I can understand the ICK factor as you say, but barbicide cleans it all.

How do you feel about eating out? Do you bring your own spoons and forks.

How old are you? If you have had a colonoscopy the scope that goes up your colon is cleaned between cases by soaking in disinfectant solution not sterilized-and that gets much dirtier.

If you want new then get new but rest assured that as long as the straight is properly cleansed and honed there is nothing to worry about.

 

[BakerAndBadger]

pay close attention to guys like Doc226, Paco664, and Seraphim

Who are those guys and what do they know? Oil, excessive pressure and the devil's film.... Next you'll be telling me the world isn't flat. Use water and rub gently for long periods on stones - that's how it's been done for years and it'll never change. These charlatans are preaching tonsorial blasphemy.

By the way your avatar always reminds me of Goose from TopGun!!!!! I feel the need, the need for speed!

 

[BakerAndBadger]

How old are you? If you have had a colonoscopy the scope that goes up your colon is cleaned between cases by soaking in disinfectant solution not sterilized-and that gets much dirtier.

That's why they call you Doc!
Remind me not to drop my tub of Tabac in the shower in your neck of the woods!

Do they use the same scope to check out your stomach too? That would have been a revelation.

 

[Doc226]

That's why they call you Doc!
Remind me not to drop my tub of Tabac in the shower in your neck of the woods!

Do they use the same scope to check out your stomach too? That would have been a revelation.

LOL, different scope but same procedure.