Thread: IS STRAIGHT RAZOR SHAVING FOR ME?

Go for it!

IMHO, I have gotten great results with a 220/1000 norton for bevel setting. (which you wont need with a prehoned razor), a norton 4k/8k and a chinese 15k. The follow Lynn's honing pyramid when stropping doesn't work and things get dull, and you will be set.

I have found the stainless razors need a few more strokes on the hones. Not sure why but it is true.

The Nortons are around $75 and the large chinese can be had for around $40. (they need to be lapped which is no prob)Unless of course you want the more expensive stuff, (eschers, coticles, thuringians) then the sky's the limit.

Hope this helps,

welcome to srp if you use the srp classifieds you should be able to come in under $200 eith some good equipment

Originally Posted by Preussen555

Cool deal fellaz,

Right now I'm about to place the order for my razors... but I have a question.

Do I really need to hone my razor before using it for the first time? I ask because a gentleman from Classic Wet Shaving Safety and Straight Razors, Brushes, Soaps and Creams told me not to bother to buy a hone just yet. He told me that Dovo razors come already ready to use, and that all I needed for the first 6 months or so is the strop.

However, other gentlemen like the owner of Vintage Blades have told me that I need to hone it before using it.

Sooo... what is it? I have read in the forum that people say you must hone your razors before using them for the first time, but many others have point me in the opposite direction.

At the beginning, I'm just planning to use the straight razor once or twice a week only while I get the hang of it.

If I hone it, should I do it myself or pay someone to do it?

For a hone I'm planning to buy a synthetic #8000 Japanese stone, as prescribed by razor central (abrasion, introduction). Would a Northern Mountain suffice if I can't find the Japanese one?

Thanks,

Hi Preussen, I'm a newbie too and I haven't bought anything yet, but here's what I've seen advised over and over again:

1) YES, you need your razor honed before you shave, UNLESS it's already honed by someone skilled in honing (prehoned by the manufacturer still needs honed)
2) The honing should be done by a "honemeister" (someone skilled in honing), not you yet.
3) You shouldn't buy your own honing gear if your a beginner, but you might want to once you get more into straight razor shaving.

Again, this is just my newbie research, so I could be wrong, but I read #1 and #2 all over this board section.

Hey JCW thank you for the tips. I'm still deciding which hone to buy, and yeah I agree that we newbies shouldn't try to hone our first razor. I'm leaning towards the Kitayama 12,000 grid stone.

Cheers,

Preusse555

go to your local antique store or buy a old carbon steel razor off the bay to practice honing on that way if you destroy the blade you are not out a lot of money