Worth the effort?

[rutts]

Hey everyone!
I recently began my wet shaving journey and I am really enjoying it!
I can get great shaves easily with my DE and I am beginning to get the urge to make the leap towards straight razor shaving. However I figured i should ask the more experienced for some realistic insights.

Firstly, how much work is it to maintain a straight razor, with both honing and stropping? and how often does a razor need to be put on a honing stone as opposed to just maintanence stropping between shaves?

I would love to be able use and maintain one but I just would like to see if its worth the work and if i would even be able to do it.

I appreciate any insight you can give

Rutts

 

[richmondesi]

The maintenance aspect is overblown by those who don't like the experience and understated by those that do. In the end, you'll either do it because you are really drawn to it (and stick with it because you love it), or you won't...

For the record, there is no reason to spend an exorbitant amount of money on stones. Many people do, but it's certainly not necessary. For relatively little money, someone could have a couple razors, a quality strop, and a stone or two that would last them forever...

 

[Shane]

It's worth it. And this is coming from a guy who, over many years, fooled himself into thinking that a DE was just as good. I know it's not for everyone, but let me tell you, it's just right for me.

 

[professorchaos]

Doesn't have to be a lot of work. Had the ADs not grabbed me, I could easily see getting by with 5-6 razors, a coticule and a pasted strop. Alas, I was a ripe target for the ADs.

 

[BladeRunner001]

The maintenance aspect is overblown by those who don't like the experience and understated by those that do. In the end, you'll either do it because you are really drawn to it (and stick with it because you love it), or you won't...

For the record, there is no reason to spend an exorbitant amount of money on stones. Many people do, but it's certainly not necessary. For relatively little money, someone could have a couple razors, a quality strop, and a stone or two that would last them forever...

+1...Paul is absolutely right on the money.

Think of honing/stropping as the oil change in your car. You can get away not doing it for awhile, but there will come a time when the car will stall. Believe me, it is worth the time, effort and some minimal investment of $ to make sure that your hardware is well maintained...

As for how often...it depends on your technique. Some find honing is needed every 3-4 weeks whereas others can get away doing it every 6-12 months (sometimes longer)...it helps to have a few str8 in your rotation. Your technique, to a large part will dictate how often this honing exercise will be necessary. Stropping should be done before and after each shave...it maintains and aligns the edge. Also, refreshing the edge on a barber or a 12k hone every 3-5 shaves really keeps the edge at its sharpest and tip top shape. I have been reading about this and have tried it...it works.

Cheers,
Robert

 

[Luc]

+1 to Paul's comment!

You will need to strop the razor between every shaves. You should wait on trying to hone your straights right away and have a honemeister do it for you.

The learning curve with a straight is a bit longer than a DE IMO.

It does require committement but I don't think it's that much. Maybe ~5 mins a day to strop the razor...

 

[rutts]

wow thanks for the great and fast replies.

so what would you guys suggest as the "must have" tools for a starter kit?

 

[Luc]

wow thanks for the great and fast replies.

so what would you guys suggest as the "must have" tools for a starter kit?

1x Shave ready straight
1x strop (leather only)

is the minimum

I like a dual strop (linen or canvas and Leather on the other side) but don't invest too much in the strop, you will nick it and it's normal.

Have a read in wiki: http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index.php/Straight_Razor_FAQs

 

[richmondesi]

My humble opinion is that you should start out with whichever razors (2 minimum, I'd say) appeal to you, irrespective of specs (you don't know what you prefer in terms of grind, width, tip, etc. so don't worry about it). A good strop would be either the SRD Premium I or IV (2.5" or 3'').

Stones: I prefer coticules (one can do the job of a progression of other stones, but be warned there is a commitment involved in learning them). However, a couple spydercos and some judicious use of diamond sprays will serve you well also. I cannot recommend getting a full line of anything because it's more expensive than it's worth, IMHO. I say that as someone that has over $1k in Shaptons and other stones that sit on the shelf rarely getting used (also I have experience with other stones)

There are a ton of options. Just read up on them, make your selection, and commit to learning them... You will be fine

 

[BladeRunner001]

Both Paul and Luc have great recommendations. I would personally get 3 straights:

1) two shave ready (as per Paul's recommendation)
2) one practice (cheap but in good condition)...you can find these often in the B/S/T section
3) Strop (SRD premium IV is one I have...has linen and leather)

Coticule is fantastic but has a learning curve associated with it...I would leave that for later...each stone is different with a character of its own. For practicing honing, I would recommend the Naniwas (I have used these with good, consistent results):

1) Naniwa 1K (setting the bevel)
2) Naniwa 5K (sharpening)
3) Naniwa 8K (sharpening/polishing)
4) Naniwa 12K (polisher)

Use the two shave ready str8 in your daily rotation so you get a feel for what sharp feel and looks like (you may also want to invest in a 10X or 30X jeweler's loop - $6 or so - to look at your bevel/edge etc...). Do NOT hone these.

Use your practice str8 to learn honing etc...use the Wiki and ask questions here

Cheers,
Robert

 

[johnmrson]

I really like the ritual of stropping a blade. It's part of the relaxing and deliberate process of straight shaving. Quite often I'll be just passing the bathroom and stop in and give the straight I'm shaving with another few laps on the strop. I've recently gotten into honing and I quite enjoy that as well. I've still got a heck of a way to go on a very long learning curve but that's part of the enjoyment for me. You'll get great advise from the more experience people here. Luc has even been kind (and brave) enough to shave with a couple of straights I've honed so I can get an unbiased and educated opinion.

 

[Luc]

I really like the ritual of stropping a blade. It's part of the relaxing and deliberate process of straight shaving. Quite often I'll be just passing the bathroom and stop in and give the straight I'm shaving with another few laps on the strop. I've recently gotten into honing and I quite enjoy that as well. I've still got a heck of a way to go on a very long learning curve but that's part of the enjoyment for me. You'll get great advise from the more experience people here. Luc has even been kind (and brave) enough to shave with a couple of straights I've honed so I can get an unbiased and educated opinion.

... and I'm still alive!

John did a great job playing with those hones and there aren't much that isn't right IMO...

However, playing with stones is a bit soon for something you didn't try. The learning curve is the first step IMO, honing is a different step. Take it one step at the time!