I currently DE shave and have been wanting to get into straight razor shaving. The high costs of new razors and the list of supplies needed to maintain one has been my biggest turn off, so my question to everyone in B&B land is how to cut the cost. I have seen many antique straights for good prices but know nothing about what to look for. Also are there any DIY strops that are quality and work well, and who has cheap hones and lapping blocks, or would I be better served to take it to a local knife shop to have it honed. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Straight Razor Help!
- Thread starter seanusa
- Start date
Go visit Whipped Dog and get his site-unseen deal and his poor man kit. The razor is shave-ready and you'll have enough of a started kit to keep you going for a while. No need to spend oodles of cash before you have confirmed that straight shaving is great (and fun!).
Many of us find the maintenance part as enjoyable or more so than the shaving itself. We're weird.
And maybe, if you end up liking it, you could spring for a little Norton Kit from whippeddog, or even a coticule. You shouldn't have to spend much to keep your razor sharp, but I would recommend having it honed the first time. You don't want to make the same mistake I did (spend a lot on a nice razor & hones, only to screw the razor up!! 
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+1. I would add, whatever you do, do NOT take a razor to a knife shop to have it honed. A friend of mine did that with a brand new razor and they absolutely ruined it. I currently have it to try and get it in shave-ready condition and I am beginning to consider having it reground.
Honing a straight razor is very different from honing anything else.
I had a similar thought to the OP, and looked today in fact over at WhippedDog....
one question about the sight unseen, do you get any say in the type of razor he sends? (I do realise its sight unseen) but I notice that some straights are long and narrow and some are short and wide...some with square corners and some with round tips...I like the looks and thought of shaving with a shorter slightly wider blade with rounded edges, i just think i would be more comfortable with that out of the gate...can you request that?
one question about the sight unseen, do you get any say in the type of razor he sends? (I do realise its sight unseen) but I notice that some straights are long and narrow and some are short and wide...some with square corners and some with round tips...I like the looks and thought of shaving with a shorter slightly wider blade with rounded edges, i just think i would be more comfortable with that out of the gate...can you request that?
You can request whatever you want to and you may or may not get that depending on what he has at the time. WD is the best deal around however. It is inexpensive and it will be shave ready. Get his poor man's strop and maybe a the cut down 12k finishing hone (or the cut down Norton set) and your set.
Honing i the best part 4 me.
The sight unseen will get you a razor you can shave with. That's it, and TBO that and a strop is all a new shaver really needs. Thick, thin, wide, narrow you more than likely won't know any better until you are at least a few shaves into your journey. If money isn't a concern then there more than a few reputable vendors who will sell you a shave ready razor.
If you go new I would suggest a round tipped 5/8s or larger hollow ground.
Good luck!
If you go new I would suggest a round tipped 5/8s or larger hollow ground.
Good luck!
Deep down the bunny hole here with straights and it all started with the whipped dog set arriving Jan 2.
There will be plenty of time to spend LOTS of money later.
There will be plenty of time to spend LOTS of money later.
