Thinking of picking up a straight

[Chaucer498]

I have been thinking of picking up a straight for quite some time but have always put it off I ended up jumping on the DE bandwagon and have been getting good shaves but something keeps bringing my attention to this part of the forums.

I'm not scared to shave with a straight. The only thing holding me back is the honing part. After the first time, how often should you hone a straight? Is honing something I would have to learn in order to use a straight razor? I know there are places that you can send your razor to the first time but what happens after that? From my understanding I can permanently damage the razor if I do not use the proper technique. How long does this take to master?

 

[richmondesi]

I have been thinking of picking up a straight for quite some time but have always put it off I ended up jumping on the DE bandwagon and have been getting good shaves but something keeps bringing my attention to this part of the forums.

I'm not scared to shave with a straight. The only thing holding me back is the honing part. After the first time, how often should you hone a straight? Is honing something I would have to learn in order to use a straight razor? I know there are places that you can send your razor to the first time but what happens after that? From my understanding I can permanently damage the razor if I do not use the proper technique. How long does this take to master?

If you were so inclined, you could maintain an edge for a ridiculously long time with a pasted paddle strop and linen/horsehide strop. If your blade needs honing, you can get it done for $12-$20 depending on whom you use. If you buy from SRD, you can get a honing when you buy your razor as well as a coupon for another honing when needed. In fact, I would recommend not starting with hones/honing until you know that you really want to be a straight shaver. Then worry about the hones and mastering technique. If you get to that point, I'd recommend getting some ebay specials and honing away until you learn how on those before giving your good razors a go.

Come on in, the water is fine

 

[LeFlaneur]

I was about to say "that may be more difficult than you think," but then I realized I misunderstood the title of this thread.

 

[Chaucer498]

The water still looks a little cold and choppy....

 

[richmondesi]

The water still looks a little cold and choppy....

Nonsense

 

[Chaucer498]

How long is ridiculously long?

I read that it's somewhere between 3-4 weeks. The reason I worry about the honing is because I know I'm going to like the straight and that's the worst thing that can happen because then I have to worry about all this other stuff that comes along with it.....like 50 foot tidal waves.

I'm good for breaking stuff. I can see myself ruining a good blade.

 

[Chaucer498]

Oh one more thing, are there places locally to have straights honed? I live in Northern NJ. Any Jersey gents out there?

 

[Chaucer498]

I visited SRD and saw a Dovo straight and Strop set that looked like a decent newbie starter. It's the Dovo imitation tortoise straight. It comes with the free re-honing cert you were talking about. Not too bad.

I plan on starting and keeping the straight razor shaves to the weekends only since it requires more time especially for a noob like me. I might dive in to this 50 foot wave. How long does it take for the razor to get honed including transit time?

 

[Chimensch]

A distinction should be made between honing and touching-up. Once the razor's is properly honed, you can maintain it forever with just a barbers hone, coticule or other fine hone. Touch-ups are simple and easy to do. Try the straight and, if like it, get a touch-up hone as soon as possible because you may want to touch it up frequently (every two to three weeks).

 

[English]

I visited SRD and saw a Dovo straight and Strop set that looked like a decent newbie starter. It's the Dovo imitation tortoise straight. It comes with the free re-honing cert you were talking about. Not too bad.

I plan on starting and keeping the straight razor shaves to the weekends only since it requires more time especially for a noob like me. I might dive in to this 50 foot wave. How long does it take for the razor to get honed including transit time?

That particular type of Dovo is a good razor. It's good carbon steel that holds a great edge and is one of the easier type of metal to keep honed.

 

[Velomane]

That particular type of Dovo is a good razor. It's good carbon steel that holds a great edge and is one of the easier type of metal to keep honed.

Well, there you go. Now what are you waiting for? Come aboard, but, please, do wear a personal flotation device.

 

[leighton]

I visited SRD and saw a Dovo straight and Strop set that looked like a decent newbie starter. It's the Dovo imitation tortoise straight. It comes with the free re-honing cert you were talking about. Not too bad.

I plan on starting and keeping the straight razor shaves to the weekends only since it requires more time especially for a noob like me. I might dive in to this 50 foot wave. How long does it take for the razor to get honed including transit time?

I don't like Dovos. But I don't like pretty much anything that is produced these days for the average consumer. I hear TI changed out their stuff, so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt for now.

Vintage razors are a much better value.

You can go an entire year without touching up your razor. Some people have gone several years with great results with just pastes on their second strop. Cost for paste = $5-$10, very cheap. However, going an entire year without needing a touch up in the beginning of your SR journey is highly unlikely. You'll probably make it to 6 months or so. Less if you nick your strop. An alternative is to keep finding aspiring honemeisters or friendly hone owners who will hone your blade for the cost of shipping.

I suggest ruprazor.com for a beginner set if you want to purchase from a single source. His Filly strop is a great value at $20, on its own btw.

 

[Luc]

As soon as you find someone who can hone them and you like their work, then you will be all right. As mentionned, you won't need to have a razor honed very often. Chances are that you will end up with more than 1 razor. That will extend the honings...

 

[richmondesi]

How long is ridiculously long?

I read that it's somewhere between 3-4 weeks. The reason I worry about the honing is because I know I'm going to like the straight and that's the worst thing that can happen because then I have to worry about all this other stuff that comes along with it.....like 50 foot tidal waves.

I'm good for breaking stuff. I can see myself ruining a good blade.

I've been told that 20 years isn't unreasonable if you have a pasted paddle and a good strop. I don't know, but that seems like a stretch. I've also heard stories of a guy that shaved his whole life with the same razor and only a strop and barbers hone... There is some maintenance involved, but you can get one and try it for a significant amount of time before having to go all out with hones and accessories.

 

[gugi]

A distinction should be made between honing and touching-up. Once the razor's is properly honed, you can maintain it forever with just a barbers hone, coticule or other fine hone. Touch-ups are simple and easy to do. Try the straight and, if like it, get a touch-up hone as soon as possible because you may want to touch it up frequently (every two to three weeks).

i agree, keeping a razor sharp is not honing and is far simpler and easier.
how often you need to touch it up depends mostly on your technique. if you use canvas regularly it may not need anything more abrasive for years. initially may not be that long though.
if you end up getting one from srd i'd suggest using your free honing after 2-3 months just so that you get a fresh edge once you are about to get the hang of the thing. that's one of the better liked dovos as well.

 

[BEAR DEN]

If I could start over...BTW I'm a newbie also
-No Dovo's...Not bad but the quality of vintage blades seems so much better.
-Buy my first razor here at B/S/T or SRP. Two reasons: My experience with both forums is that people "in general" take pride in what they do. If it is stated as shave ready...it really did come shave ready. Never had to wonder, it was plenty obvious.
-Would have held off on the 4k-8k waterstone. (I've used it but only needed it for antique finds.)
I use a linen and leather strop to maintain my razors. If I think the razor needs a little more I use a Spyderco UF stone, and really it usually only takes a few laps before it's ready for the strop again. Jump in! Your not afraid and that's the hard part for the people that I know.

 

[Chimensch]

If I could start over...BTW I'm a newbie also
-No Dovo's...Not bad but the quality of vintage blades seems so much better.
-Buy my first razor here at B/S/T or SRP. Two reasons: My experience with both forums is that people "in general" take pride in what they do. If it is stated as shave ready...it really did come shave ready. Never had to wonder, it was plenty obvious.
-Would have held off on the 4k-8k waterstone. (I've used it but only needed it for antique finds.)
I use a linen and leather strop to maintain my razors. If I think the razor needs a little more I use a Spyderco UF stone, and really it usually only takes a few laps before it's ready for the strop again. Jump in! Your not afraid and that's the hard part for the people that I know.

The Spyderco UF is one of many good options: barbers hone, coticule, Chinese hone, 10K or 12K synthetic Japanese waterstone, etc. It's not difficult and you'll be set for life.

 

[Chaucer498]

Ah ok, thanks for all the info guys. I was a bit confused as to the whole honing process. I wondered why if the razor had to be sent out to be honed so many times in a year...why anyone would continue using it. Now it makes a bit more sense to be though. Once a year ain't a bad thing if need be but once a month did seem like a whole lot. Thanks for clearing that up.

So I can basically keep the blade nice and sharp with a few minor tools and no need to pull out a blacksmith hammer and anvil.

This is looking better and better. I'm going to go and get my floatation device.

 

[barracudamagoo]

Chaucer498, thanks for posting this. I too, have been curious about straight shaving; however, I was also under the impression you needed tones of tools and gadgets. Not to hi-jack, but I have a question: In the Interactive Guide, it stated that the leather strop is all you would need; and that the canvas/linen side is not necessary. Yet, when reading through this thread most using it with the paste/powder (I believe Chromium Oxide?). So what is the low-down with the strops? Personal preference, or something more? Sorry for the hi-jack!

 

[Chimensch]

Chaucer498, thanks for posting this. I too, have been curious about straight shaving; however, I was also under the impression you needed tones of tools and gadgets. Not to hi-jack, but I have a question: In the Interactive Guide, it stated that the leather strop is all you would need; and that the canvas/linen side is not necessary. Yet, when reading through this thread most using it with the paste/powder (I believe Chromium Oxide?). So what is the low-down with the strops? Personal preference, or something more? Sorry for the hi-jack!

A razor and leather strop are all you need to try shaving with a straight and see if you like it. If you do, you would, relatively quickly want to get something to touch up the blade when it gets dull.

I personally want to be totally self-sufficient in maintaining my razor and, for me, the answer is a coticule. For 28 years before that, it was a barbers hone.

There are lots of different ways to go.

As for your strop question. A leather strop is essential because it makes a great deal of difference in the comfort of the edge. Some people use the linen side to get more use out of an edge before it needs to be touched up on a hone, but you can easily do without it. It is a good place to put paste.