I may have a slight addiction problem.

[CountZer0]

I somehow have managed to buy 4 straights before I have even attempted my first shave, this is not good. I found this site from an article on The Art of Manliness and have been hooked ever since. I started with a DE and just fell in love. In fact I have sent safety razors to 5 of my friends/family and now I have them hooked too. I started with a DE because I figured there was just no way for a guy who had used nothing but an electric razor to ever be able to shave with a straight. One day I stumbled on Gissy’s shaving journal and was just amazed. Here was a guy who didn’t know how to shave with a straight (no offence Gissy) and in just a few weeks was making tremendous progress… I started reading everyone else’s journal … and realized there is hope!

Ok back to my STAD. Ebay has led to many cold nights on the couch. So far in just a few days I went from no SRs to 4..with one on the way. The only problem I have is none of them are shave ready. My question is: Should I wait till I get my lapping film (thank you Seraphim, Slash McCoy, & rickboone1) and try to hone them myself or send them off. The more I read the more sending them off seems to be the best choice. Its going to be hard enough to keep my ears attached to my head much less if I am using a razor that I “tried” to hone myself. Any suggestions for who to send them to?

-jason

 

[Doc226]

Congrats, I see nothing wrong with the number of razors you have.

For your first razor I would recommend sending it out and getting a true shave ready razor (heck send out two), use one and keep the other to compare your own honing to.

Enjoy and welcome to the club

 

[Obiwan]

Congrats and welcome. We've all had our fair share of AD benders. I's suggest sending at least one out first. The man above does a heck of a job honing at a reasonable price. I enjoy honing my own blades, but have shaved with many of Doc's edges also. Well worth the money IMO. Plus, it gives you a frame of reference.

 

[Slash McCoy]

Have one or two honed, and mess around with the others on your own. win/win.

 

[KW Driver]

I have two of Doc226's hones on my razors. they are exquisite. go to his webpage and talk to him. it won't be money wasted.

 

[CountZer0]

Thank you. I really appreciate all the advice. I sent an email to Doc226. I should be bleeding er shaving soon

 

[Obiwan]

lol, the good news is you won't even feel it happen. And keep your head up, some of us buy more than 4 in a day. There's support amogst friends with your similar ADs. (It's called B&B)

 

[Doc226]

lol, the good news ia you won't even feel it happen. And keep your head up, some of us buy more than 4 in a day. There's support amogst friends with your similar ADs. (It's called B&B)

LOL, spoken like a true addict/enabler

 

[Seraphim]

I hear a slight echo of guilt...

Make a few more purchases and remorse will soon leave you alone!

 

[FiveOhNine]

It happens to the best of us.....best cure? More razors.

 

[CountZer0]

Seraphim... its not guilt and remorse that won't leave me alone... its SWMBO!

If that Kingswood clad beauty you have for sale is still around at payday she is really not going to be a happy camper.

I did send off a W&B and Eddy MFG Co to the good Doctor so I should be good to go!

 

[sixsixty]

Wow, I only had 2 straights before my first shave! Ha. I'm up to 3 1/2 now.

I would say send one out to be professionally honed (maybe whatever you consider to be your favorite or best one). When you get it back shave with it before stropping or doing anything else to it (you can wipe off any oil). That way you have a good base understanding of what shave ready is. The rest you can play around with honing and sharpening. learning.

fun!

 

[Obiwan]

Don't forget, for every razor you own you need to buy a strop and a hone

 

[Doc226]

Don't forget, for every razor you own you need to buy a strop and a hone

Good idea, you might need a few more stones then.

 

[noahpictures]

Have one or two honed, and mess around with the others on your own. win/win.

+1

Honing is not brain surgery. The sooner you begin the better. There is nothing like shaving a razor you've honed yourself. It's also a good idea to compare your edges with a razor that has been honed by more experienced members.

 

[Obiwan]

working on it

 

[Seraphim]

Seraphim... its not guilt and remorse that won't leave me alone... its SWMBO!

If that Kingswood clad beauty you have for sale is still around at payday she is really not going to be a happy camper.

I ship to P.O. boxes, office addresses, shady back alley exchanges.....

 

[tomjr]

welcome brother, misery loves company. so they say.

 

[professorchaos]

Recently read Eric Clapton discussing collecting guns (check out his Purdy's). He wrote:

"I get obsessed, then engulfed and finally narrow the collection down."

That mirrors my experience with straight razors.

 

[Doc226]

its not guilt and remorse that won't leave me alone... its SWMBO!

The key is to have enough razors that the addition of a few or subtraction of a few goes completely unnoticed. When she asks if that is a new one, you answer "no just one I have not used in a while"