Thread: Beginners Tips: July 2010

I found all the grits I could ever use, and 3M at the local auto parts store. Thanks for the tips!

I'll chime in to agree on waiting.

After a catastrophic start, I found this board and spent a whole weekend reading and learning.

Then I went all in: 3 new, pro-honed razors, Norton starter kit, the works.

Promptly nearly ruined my perfectly shave-ready razors. Smashing the into the stones with TWO HANDS, stropping the daylights out of them…no wonder the shaving was rough!

So then I backed off. Used a barber hone to get the edge back on the razors, then just stuck to stropping, working at going lighter and lighter. My razors began to feel better, work better.

Now I have got a few eBay razors that are good makes, in good shape, but need honing, and I have someone guiding me and advising me, checking out the blade when I'm done, so I think now I'm on the right track.

So yes: get well honed razors to start with. Learn to shave and learn to strop lightly and effectively. Then maybe get a barber hone or 10-12K stone for light touch ups. Then, if one wishes, they can learn the whole process. Then again, it's just $20 or so to get a professional honing…