New to Straight Razors

[r.mutt]

just joined the site.
got my straight razor from my grandpa yesterday. he was a barber way back when.

he gave me a Red Imp 133
Made in the USA by Case

i think it needs a good honing. forgot to ask him if he had any honing stones or leather straps.

here are a few pics.

 

[OldSchoolYoungin]

Blade looks to be in very good condition. Congrats! I don't have personal experience with the Red Imps, but from what I hear, they make great shavers. There's a "honemeister recognition" thread around here somewhere; list of guys that'll get that baby shave-ready for ya.

 

[Thebigspendur]

The red imp is a great shaver. Just watch out for that spike. I think your razor was rescaled because the red imp had dark red scales with an imp on on the scales. I have the same model.

 

[r0ckrat]

At the base of the scale it looks like there might be some lettering. What does it read?

Congrats on getting some heirloom equipment!

Enjoy the journey!

 

[r.mutt]

it is the original scale. it was just dirty and it is from when my grandpa was in barber school.

it says

RED IMP TRADE MARK
w/ an imp to the left of the lettering

 

[JPM]

That's a nice looking shaver. Congrats.

 

[r.mutt]

my dad said my grandpa said that he didnt have any honing stones and that I should buy a soapstone.

I feel like I should trust what he says since he went to barber school and was a barber for who knows how many years.

 

[English]

I'd listen to your Grandpa and ask him if he can give you some lessons. I'm sure he will have forgotten more than most guys will ever know.

Nice razor by the way. They hold a nice sharp edge.

 

[FiveOhNine]

Very cool! I wish I'd gotten some shaving-related hand-me-downs. The only thing I remember is that my grandfather had an old DE that I tried once when I was about 9 years old....cut myself pretty good on that one.