Beginner to straights looking for hardware recommendations to be good to go for a long time (until I buy even better SR's down the road).
I think I'd like a quarter hollow, but it seems Hart Steel (one of the few who make new and not-too-expensive quarter hollows) isn't what it used to be, according to what I'm reading here and there.
Why do I think I want quarter hollow? Because heavy and less noise seems preferable to me than light and noisy. I want that blade to glide and cut like it's a hot knife through butter. And last I checked, butter doesn't make much noise. Haha! And less passes. I would think a heavier blade would allow for less passes, and thus less irritation. I do one pass with a Gillette Mach 3 and I've got it pretty baby smooth.
Seeing as I can't seem to find anything of the top brands in quarter hollow variety for less than $150, I found a 5/8 Thiers Issard 1937 Special Coiffeur half-hollow. Thoughts on this one?
Then for sharpening... should I get a Naniwa 10 or 12k and a strop? Should I get something called a coticule? What would you recommend in the wedge to half hollow territory and what sharpening/honing tools would make sure I have a very sharp edge all the time for the next 10 years without having to buy anything more?
Thank you!
I think I'd like a quarter hollow, but it seems Hart Steel (one of the few who make new and not-too-expensive quarter hollows) isn't what it used to be, according to what I'm reading here and there.
Why do I think I want quarter hollow? Because heavy and less noise seems preferable to me than light and noisy. I want that blade to glide and cut like it's a hot knife through butter. And last I checked, butter doesn't make much noise. Haha! And less passes. I would think a heavier blade would allow for less passes, and thus less irritation. I do one pass with a Gillette Mach 3 and I've got it pretty baby smooth.
Seeing as I can't seem to find anything of the top brands in quarter hollow variety for less than $150, I found a 5/8 Thiers Issard 1937 Special Coiffeur half-hollow. Thoughts on this one?
Then for sharpening... should I get a Naniwa 10 or 12k and a strop? Should I get something called a coticule? What would you recommend in the wedge to half hollow territory and what sharpening/honing tools would make sure I have a very sharp edge all the time for the next 10 years without having to buy anything more?
Thank you!