I have my first straight! What else do I need before I get started?

[alias]

I was surprised and pleased to recently receive my first straight razor as a birthday gift – a Muhle 5/8” like this:

I’ve had an interest in trying straights for a while but have always resisted because I was never really quite sure of all that was required with regards to hones and strops etc and I thought I could really do without any additional ADs! But I was delighted to receive this razor and I’m eager to get started with it but first I’m looking for some advice on what else I’ll need.

I thought because this is a brand new razor it would be good to use right out of the box but after doing some reading I gather that that might not be the case. So really I’d like to ask some advice from the experienced straight users about what I should be looking to buy and do to ensure that the blade is actually shave ready? I assume it’s essential that I buy a strop, but will a new blade also require any honing before use?

Also any advice on how to use a straight that might prevent me looking like a Sweeney Todd victim would be more than welcome!

 

[ridnovir]

I would suggest a few balsa strops
and CrOx paste and 0.25 Diamond Spray (all could be obtained from http://www.chefknivestogo.com/shac.html)

and leather strop just get something simple
and you are in business

 

[Raithskar]

First thing, if it has a factory edge you will need to have it honed. Myself or a number of our other generous Members would be happy to help I am sure.

Do you happen to know where it was purchased from, and if it was sold as shave ready?

For a strop I would suggest some folded up newspaper doubled over a towel rack. Don't drop money on a leather strop when at the start you will nick or even cut it. If you are not on a strict budged Larry at whipped dog has a poor man's strop kit that is great for starting out on. it has a functional leather strop and a blasa strop with Chromium oxide on one side and iron oxide on the other. This should keep your blade maintained for a pretty good while until it needs a touch up, or rehone.

Don't worry about hones right now. Get your shaving and stropping technique down first.

Welcome to the Dark Side of Wet Shaving Brother....it is all downhill from here. Muahahahahahaha!

 

[shakin_jake]

First thing, if it has a factory edge you will need to have it honed. Myself or a number of our other generous Members would be happy to help I am sure.

~~~nice offer Jon but I noticed the OP is in the UK...postage would run him $10 each way minimum. Might be better for him to seek out somoene from here at B&B but on his side of the pond

I'm thinking his best bet would be to visit Gary Haywood's shop, in person...Gary could teach him quite a bit

...just a thought and I know Gary would be up for it



Best,


Jake
Reddick Fla.

 

[Legion]

+ whatever on getting the razor pro honed from the start. At least then you will know what a properly honed razor should feel like when you try to do it yourself.

As for hones... The UK is not that far from Belgium. Just sayin...

 

[alias]

Thanks for the help fellas. And that’s a very generous offer, Jon, and greatly appreciated, but I am in the UK so that might prove a problem especially if there’s a chance of the razor being stopped by either UK or US customs and being considered a prohibited item?

I understand the razor was bought from the Shaving Shack, and I must have received the last one because it’s now showing as out of stock. The scales and blade on my razor are marked a little differently to the one pictured but it’s otherwise the same. I notice that there’s actually no mention of the razor being shave ready in the info they have provided.

I had a look on UK Ebay last night and came across a couple of inexpensive strops available for little more than £10 delivered (here and here), and I wondered if it would be worth getting something cheap like either of these to begin since I am likely to make some mistakes and damage them – unless, like you say, some folded newspaper will suffice initially.

As for hones... The UK is not that far from Belgium. Just sayin...

At the risk of sounding like a fool among the wise... what's in Belgium?

Welcome to the Dark Side of Wet Shaving Brother....it is all downhill from here. Muahahahahahaha!

This is what worries me!

 

[Legion]

At the risk of sounding like a fool among the wise... what's in Belgium?

Belgium is where Belgium coticules come from. IMO the bestest, and most versatile of razor hones. Let the search function be your guide...
'Cough'

 

[alias]

Belgium is where Belgium coticules come from. IMO the bestest, and most versatile of razor hones. Let the search function be your guide...
'Cough'

Ah, thank you! So if I order one of these and a strop I should be set?

 

[rimmini]

You'll need a strop, and a 8K hone. There is no problem with blades and customs but waiting a month to get your blade back might be. My suggestion would be to find a barber who still uses straights and give him a twenty to hone it for you. Then find a used razor and practice honing your self.