Anyone know anything about straight razors?

[ajwinter]

...Nothing prettier than a Straight Razor and a Pipe. Let me add a couple of things to the already thorough posts: When you learn to hone, it might be best to learn the craft on a less expensive razor. You can usually find used ones at antique shops or order online. Col. Ichabod Konk sells one for under a hundred bucks, made from carbon steel, by Germans out of Solengen-pardon my spelling. The razor you have there would be a shame to learn with-its quite fine indeed. Myself, I keep three straights, two strops, never use the canvas, a 4000/8000 grit Japanese waterstone, and some strop dressing. There are a million ways to go about preparing and honing your razor, but eventually you will develop your own. It takes a bit of time to learn the craft, but if you can prepare and smoke flake tobacco, than you certainly have the patience necessary. I must truely stress, what you have in your posession is a beautiful razor: both in form as well as intrinsic value. Eventually, however, they require honing. Learn to hone on a less valuable razor, but one that is still carbon steel. In the mean time, you may find yourself with a beard, lord knows I did.

 

[pstlpkr]

I know you can get a magnificent shave with a straight razor...

However; with my luck, I'd nick my self and find my head in the sink.

Then I'd have to say: "Honey! I cut myself shaving again..."

 

[ohin3]

Thanks for all the info guys. Now that I know a bit more about the particular razor that I showed in the picture, I am going to opt for ajwinter's plan and learn with a different razor and then, once skilled at honing and stropping, use the fine specimen in the picture. thanks again for everyone's advice.

 

[baronsamedi]

Nothing wrong with a piece of Solingen steel. My grandfather was a barber and I inherited a Henkels straight razor from him. I taught myself to shave with it as a challenge. It makes for a nice shave but The first couple tries, I looked like I shaved with a weed eater. Even though I use a modern razor now, I still shave with a mug and brush (Col Conk's Lime Shaving Soap). The mug and brush is far superior to modern shaving cream. I also make my own aftershave with Witch Hazel, Aloe Vera, Mint and Lavender. A good German blade is worth more to keep than any amount of money for which you could sell it.

 

[lagavulin92]

Straight razors give the cleanest and smoothest shave to be had. A man should know what it is best for him. The fact that there are still real barbers around prove the advantages of a str8 razor.

 

[bowhatchie]

Anyone know anything about straight razors?
I know they will make you bleed!

 

[seakayak]

Solingen steel speaks well for the quality the razor. I have a 7 inch dive knife that has spent much of the past 45 years under salt water. The "Solingen" engraving is proudly displayed near the handle and, with proper care, it still looks pretty much like it did when I first took it out of the box it. As for shaving with a straight razor, be advised that one slip will forever teach you why the safety razor became so popular.

 

[flylot]

You have received some good advice here. The straight razor place and Badger & Blade are great sites to visit. They have "wikis" that include helpful text and videos. The Puma is a great blade and will give you several lifetimes of quality shaving.
One recommendation I have is to send your blade to one of the "honemeisters" at Straight Razor Place to get it well sharpened. I recommend this for several reasons:
1. You will have a nice SHARP razor to shave with (you usually cut yourself with a dull one).

2. You now have a "go by" to judge how your own honing skills progress (forget about the "parlour trick" of cutting a hair. The only true way of determining how sharp a razor is, shave with it!)
Another suggestion is to practice stopping with a butter knife on your strop. This will allow you to become proficient in stropping (a necessary task) without cutting up your strop and dulling that razor you just payed to have honed.
Acquire another razor. Learn to hone with it and use it. This way, should you one day ding the edge by accidentally tapping it against the faucet while rinsing it off, or allowing the edge to slam up against the drain stop after having the razor slip out of your hands and sliding down the sink, thereby ruining the edge, you can pick up your second and finish shaving that day and future days until you can get the blade re-honed. Don't ask me how I know this.........
Besides, blades are like pipes in many ways, you will rotate them, and you will find your favorite.....
Oh, one last thing..... Enjoy shaving!