Never used a straight razor looking for 1st

[Blade_Runner37C]

Ok I have never had a shave with a straight razor. Looking to get my first although I own a dull joseph rogers and sons #6. Should I find a place to sharpen it or should I look for a new one? also what kind of money (on average) would get me a descent straight razor, not just a beginners that i will have to replace with a quality one down the road. basically middle of the road. Is this something people sell used on here?

Thanks in advanced

 

[sanookd]

Ok I have never had a shave with a straight razor. Looking to get my first although I own a dull joseph rogers and sons #6. Should I find a place to sharpen it or should I look for a new one? also what kind of money (on average) would get me a descent straight razor, not just a beginners that i will have to replace with a quality one down the road. basically middle of the road. Is this something people sell used on here?

Thanks in advanced

What is more important than what you buy for a first straight razor is that what you buy is absolutely shave ready. If you try to shave with a straight razor on your maiden voyage that isn’t shave ready you will not have a good experience and might wonder what all the fuss is about.
You might also want to try a round point razor or muted point for sure. There is nothing wrong with your Rodgers as long as it’s honed by someone who knows what they are doing. Being a heavier grind than a full hollow, it might be more forgiving for you. Keep an eye on BST here for reasonably priced straights.
Even if you buy an ugly duckling for a first straight , so long as it has a cracker jack edge on it you will know if you like straight razor shaving or not. You can worry about the looks later. Hope this helps.

 

[Christian1212]

Quick things to know and my suggestions.
1. Need a shave ready razor to get started
2. Need a quality strop

From there you can start learning how to shave. Your razor might only last 10 or so shaves to start. The next step I recommend is having someone let you try different edges. After you know what your favorite edge is you can look at ways to maintain your razors edge.

Things to avoid
1) cheap razors and strops.
2) vendors without a good reputation
3) cheap stones that people don't recommend.

I suggest you check out griffith shave goods for quality items to get you going. BST works great as well. Best way to be successful with this hobby is to have fun, buying cheap or untested gear normally will hurt the process or waste time. Just my opinions though, cheers.

 

[H Brad Boonshaft]

Post photos of your Rogers to ensure it is worth investing in pro honing.

I prefer vintage razors to new production and are/can be better value. But you do need to know what to look for.

Many sources for quality vintage, online, BST, Antique Stores, Antique flea markets and a few vendors.

You can buy a quality Vintage razor in good shape for $10-100. And A bit more 100-200 for pristine or restored. Not many new production razors of equal quality for the same money.

Either new or Vintage send it out for honing and learn to maintain with a high grit synthetic stone 10-12k and new quality linen and leather strop with replaceable strops.

Posting photos of potential purchases can help you make good choices.

That said if the Rogers is in good shape, send it out for honing and start shaving with it for a minimal investment. You still will need a good new strop and a finish stone to rehabilitate the edge while you learn to strop.

Stropping is critical and can take some time to master.

 

[Blade_Runner37C]

I hope these pics show what your looking for.

 

[Christian1212]

Looks to be in decent shape! Could probably send it to a forum member and they get it shave ready. Would still want to get a quality strop though.

 

[Blade_Runner37C]

sorry for my ignorance but what kind of grind is that?

 

[sanookd]

sorry for my ignorance but what kind of grind is that?

No need to be sorry. You want to learn , you ask, we’ve all been there.
It’s probably a near wedge or wedge which is a heavier grind than full hollow but your photos didn’t show the right view perspective to see the grind.

 

[Blade_Runner37C]

It’s probably a near wedge or wedge which is a heavier grind than full hollow but your photos didn’t show the right view perspective to see the grind.

Do you have an example (pic) of what angle I need to show?

Looks to be in decent shape! Could probably send it to a forum member and they get it shave ready. Would still want to get a quality strop though.

That would be awesome, any suggestions? yes I need a strop i have a cheapo for knives but i mean cheapo. i saw one on a video I watch yesterday that a guy had a real nice 3" leather hanging strop with a firehose ???? on the other side. it was really nice looking, he's a youtuber straight razor shaver

 

[sanookd]

Do you have an example (pic) of what angle I need to show?

That would be awesome, any suggestions? yes I need a strop i have a cheapo for knives but i mean cheapo. i saw one on a video I watch yesterday that a guy had a real nice 3" leather hanging strop with a firehose ???? on the other side. it was really nice looking, he's a youtuber straight razor shaver

This view shows the grind , sorry it’s not a great photo but you get the perspective now I hope

 

[Legion]

I'd call that grind a half hollow.

It's a little rough, but should be able to be put right to shave and learn with. I'd send it out and start with that.

For a strop, maybe check if Tony Miller is selling any beginner or basic strops at the moment. You do not really need a fabric component. It's nice to have, but not essential to get the job done.

 

[sanookd]

I'd call that grind a half hollow.

It's a little rough, but should be able to be put right to shave and learn with. I'd send it out and start with that.

For a strop, maybe check if Tony Miller is selling any beginner or basic strops at the moment. You do not really need a fabric component. It's nice to have, but not essential to get the job done.

@Legion , I just wanted to clarify for Blade_Runner the photo perspective to show the grind. That is one of my old photos showing grind profile , not his Joseph Rodgers.

 

[Legion]

@Legion , I just wanted to clarify for Blade_Runner the photo perspective to show the grind. That is one of my old photos showing grind profile , not his Joseph Rodgers.

Nah, I was talking about his razor. You posted while I was typing. I should have used the quote feature to be clear.

 

[Christian1212]

Do you have an example (pic) of what angle I need to show?

That would be awesome, any suggestions? yes I need a strop i have a cheapo for knives but i mean cheapo. i saw one on a video I watch yesterday that a guy had a real nice 3" leather hanging strop with a firehose ???? on the other side. it was really nice looking, he's a youtuber straight razor shaver

If you send me a pm I can help with the honing. As for strops I recomend Tony Miller heirloom strops. If you ask he has beginner strops as well.

Can also ask BST for honing services as well.

 

[helicopter]

As a beginner as of a few months ago, I would say you might be better off avoiding ebay razors until you learn a decent amount. The only used razors that have been a good value for me were the ones I got here on the BST. I have wasted some good money on ebay razors that needed serious repairs like rust removal and new scales.

I did well with shave ready razors from Griffith Shaving Goods and did better here on the BST. I have also had good experience practicing honing on (and ruining a few) cheap Chinese Gold Dollar type razors. The Gold Dollars are kinda junky, but they are disposable in price.

Best bet might be something shave ready, under $100, that you don't mind ruining or messing up when you decide to try honing it. You should probably learn quite a bit before you try to hone an expensive razor. I am not there yet.

 

[sanookd]

Nah, I was talking about his razor. You posted while I was typing. I should have used the quote feature to be clear.

 

[Blade_Runner37C]

Is this good

 

[Legion]

Is this good

Yep. I guess that would qualify as a near wedge?

 

[Blade_Runner37C]

Is this good

 

[Blade_Runner37C]

If you send me a pm I can help with the honing. As for strops I recomend Tony Miller heirloom strops. If you ask he has beginner strops as well.

Can also ask BST for honing services as well.

is honig and stroping something I have to know how to do? i've got a ton of sharpening stones and diamond sharpeners and still can't sharpen a knife good unless I use my wicked edge sharpener. I probably would just destroy the razor TBH