The Interactive Guide to Straight Razor Shaving

[joel]

Table of Contents for The Interactive Guide to Straight Razor Shaving:

Why a straight razor? (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=28366)
DE VS Straight - Which one for me? (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=28367)
Ok, I want a straight razor, what do I need? (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=28368)
What is a shave ready razor? (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=28369)
Selecting a razor:
Different parts of a straight razor (http://www.badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=28538)
Grind (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=28457)
Width of Blade (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=28458)
Type of Tip/Point (http://www.badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=28460)
Carbon VS Stainless Steel (http://www.badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=28463)
Razor Brands: the new, the vintage, and the bad! (http://www.badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=28470)
Things to look for when/if selecting a custom razor (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=44443)
Honing how-to's

How to lap/flatten your hone (http://www.badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=28478)
Creating the initial bevel (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?p=347387#post347387)
Polishing/establishing the shaving sharp edge (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?p=347419#post347419)
Finishing via hones (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?p=347529#post347529)
Finishing via pasted strop (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?p=348165#post348165)
Edge Thickness (AKA Sharpness) Tests Vs. Edge Uniformity Tests - Bevel Creation Guide (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=31640)

Different hones explained

What do you need, and what's recommended? (http://www.badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=28539)
What does a slurry stone do, and what are they? (http://www.badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=28540)
Norton 4K/8K (http://www.badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=28541)
Belgian Yellow Coticule (New & Vintage) (http://www.badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=28542)
Chinese 12K (http://www.badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=28543)
“Barber Hones” (http://www.badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=28544)
Spyderco hones (Medium, Fine, Extra Fine) (http://www.badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=28545)
Kitayama (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?p=347313#post347313)
Abrasive Pasted Strops (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?p=347334#post347334)
Dovo Tortoise Special Hone Comparison/Results.... (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=29575)
Stropping how to’s

Selecting a strop – what you need. (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?p=348212#post348212)
How to use your hanging strop. (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?p=348225#post348225)
How to take care of your strop. (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?p=348238#post348238)
How to apply abrasive paste to your strop. (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?p=348258#post348258)
The straight razor shave

How to hold the razor, and the importance of blade angle… (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?p=348339#post348339)
The do’s and don’ts! (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?p=348365#post348365)
A Basic Straight Razor Shave (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?p=349692#post349692)
Video of me straight razor shaving..
The proper care of your straight razor

Caring for your Carbon or Stainless Steel razor..."]Caring for your Carbon or Stainless Steel Razor & Creating a De-Humidifier (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=29075)
Caring for your razors scales (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?p=353824#post353824)
When/where to use metal polish, and where/when not to! (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?p=353855#post353855)


Gentlemen,
An interactive guide to straight razor shaving currently does not exist… so let me be the first to welcome you to the beginnings of the first!

The basic idea is a general table of contents, which is comprised of links to specific articles, and key areas of interest regarding straight razor shaving. The benefit to this type of guide is that readers can quickly, and easily get to topics and articles of which they have specific interest to. Trying to read through page after page of a “story” like guide doesn’t help when you’re in your bathroom, face covered with lather… nor will a video or DVD… what will? VERY specific posts, and information you can quickly/easily read and use, or print and reference… and do so for free! So I know what you are thinking… what’s the interactive part? The interactive part is the fact that this guide is 1.) Ever-changing… new topics in the table of contents will frequently be added 2.) Users can post questions, and/or add additional content by posting replies to the main threads (links from the TOC) – as if someone has a question on say, the Spyderco Ultra-Fine hone, one can go to section 7 – 7 read about the hones, and if desired ask specific questions, of which will be in context to the topic, without having to preface it, or fumble around – thus actually ADDING to the guide, and creating a more comprehensive guide through interacting with it and our members.

Members can submit article requests, and/or submit new/completed articles/topics (to moderators) to be included/added to the guide!

[joel]

Alright fellas - 4 more of the topics above are now blue hot links to active threads/posts with pictures, etc. I'll finish one more sometime tonight, then I'll be back at it full force tomorrow!

:thumbup:

[TimmyBoston]

Fantastic job, Joel! :thumbup:

And it couldn't have come at a better time, I've got a straight razor that should be arriving in the mail tomorrow. :badger:

Edit: My straight arrived and after thoroughly reading this thread, it is truly an amazing resource. Well done, Joel. Thank you for taking the time.

[CyclicSheep]

Wow! Thanks for all the hard work.

I'm not even remotely interested in straights. I was drawn in to read just because the topics look so well organized and copious. So I read just 2 articles; very well written. Now I'm interested, if not in using a straight razor, then just for learning about them.

[DwarvenChef]

Really looks good, I'm being good and not getting all goofy on the carbon vs (that other steel) :biggrin: tread... I just don't like the stuff .... No life in it... Ok ok backing off hehe...

Between this and Lynn's DVD I think the modern straight razor community is well informed.

[Choppa]

Brilliant, well done mate, they should change your thingee under your name to
"St Joel - Patron saint of shaving info"

[Amyn]

:a14: :a14: :a14: :a14: :a14: :a14: :a14:

[elveeskee]

Hey Joel,

You've probably thought about this, but how about adding a list of resident or non-resident Honemeisters (with their permission of course) with ways to contacting them? I saw this on SRP's guide and thought it would be a great addition. That way you wouldn't see a thread inundated with Honemeister requests.
Just my . 02 my man.

Lawrence

[khalu]

:thumbup1: From a newbie at str8 shaving thank you sooo much. Here's hoping I don't cut of my nose with this thing. lol With all this detailed info I feel a little more confident.

[perry]

Excellent! I was thinking about buying one of your sets the other day but knew I'd just end up cutting myself up and giving up. I'll read through all this stuff and then think about trying it all out.

[adildhanani]

WOW!!! Great Job!!! :thumbup:

Now I really won't be able to put off buying a straight, lol!

Thank you so much!

[Ishamael70]

This is a fantastic resource, thanks for all the time and effort!

[The Invisible Edge]

What a great effort - kinda puts mine to shame! Is there a direct URL link to the guide? Reason I ask is that I'm always being asked for just this sort of thing and it would help enquirers a whole lot if I could email them and say 'look no further - click here for a mine of info'. That would be great. :c6:

[bjrn]

Just link to this thread: http://www.badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?p=350494

[joel]

Just link to this thread: http://www.badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?p=350494

Exactly what he said!

Linking to this thread will work beautifully. :smile:

The coolest thing about this guide is it will be an ever-changing, constantly evolving/growing guide. As we get more and more straight razor discussion here, the guide will continually grow, so it should be a truly superlative resource.

:thumbup1:

[TstebinsB]

Very, very impressive!

[joel]

FYI - all the topics should be completed/links on Monday or Tuesday, and I'll be adding the video of me straight razor shaving from the B&B DVD (done a few years ago) as well!

[joel]

All of the links, save for the straight razor shaving video are up and live!

Please feel free to suggest new sections/topics, as well as add new content! If you have new articles, topics, please don't hesitate to submit them!

Enjoy!

[joel]

All of the links, save for the straight razor shaving video are up and live!

Please feel free to suggest new sections/topics, as well as add new content! If you have new articles, topics, please don't hesitate to submit them!

Enjoy!

One more quick comment - I can/will PDF this into one big ole guide if there is interest!

[bjrn]

All of the links, save for the straight razor shaving video are up and live!:c9: :jump: :clap: :ouch1: :thumbup: :thumbup1:

[opus]

One more quick comment - I can/will PDF this into one big ole guide if there is interest!

Do it!

[Ishamael70]

Do it!

Agreed!

[2Sharp]

One more quick comment - I can/will PDF this into one big ole guide if there is interest!

A PDF file would be great. :badger: :badger: :badger:

bj

[htownmmm]

Excellent job Joel!-makes me want to go and buy a straight, strop, and norton4k/8k right now!



Marty

[joel]

Excellent job Joel!-makes me want to go and buy a straight, strop, and norton4k/8k right now!



Marty

Marty,
You (and by and large anyone else) who reads the whole guide and still wants a straight should contact me - and i'll hone up a new razor for you gratis! :smile:

[Emilius]

Originally posted by joel
Marty,
You (and by and large anyone else) who reads the whole guide and still wants a straight should contact me - and i'll hone up a new razor for you gratis!

Where would we be without Joel?

And the PDF idea rocks! Now, that would be some serious competition for Dr. Moss's guide!

[Ishamael70]

Marty,
You (and by and large anyone else) who reads the whole guide and still wants a straight should contact me - and i'll hone up a new razor for you gratis! :smile:

Joel,

Here's a question that I may have missed the answer to in that big collection of great info - what's the best way to test the sharpness of your razor? I have only owned this one straight, and since it was honed by Lynn I imagine it is nice and sharp. However, I do sometimes get some pulling or skittering on certain parts of my face, and it's hard to tell if it is a fault of the sharpness (maybe I dulled it some by bad stropping), or just my technique.

Thoughts?

[joel]

Joel,

Here's a question that I may have missed the answer to in that big collection of great info - what's the best way to test the sharpness of your razor? I have only owned this one straight, and since it was honed by Lynn I imagine it is nice and sharp. However, I do sometimes get some pulling or skittering on certain parts of my face, and it's hard to tell if it is a fault of the sharpness (maybe I dulled it some by bad stropping), or just my technique.

Thoughts?

If it's pulling, skittering, or jumping - it isn't sharp enough, no matter who honed it. Everyone has a bad razor slip out every so often - however it could also be due to poor stropping.

What kind of razor is it? What type of grind? How long have you had it? How many times are you stropping it, and are you pulling the strop taught? What is your beard type?

Depending on the razor (I don't get into restoration work, getting rid of nicks, etc - as it is just too time consuming for me) but I'd be more than willing to hone it up for you gratis - if that's what's needed.

:smile:

[Ishamael70]

If it's pulling, skittering, or jumping - it isn't sharp enough, no matter who honed it. Everyone has a bad razor slip out every so often - however it could also be due to poor stropping.
:smile:

Hmm, I guess that I figured since it moves smoothly on my cheeks and lip, but pulls on my chin and neck, that it was my technique.

I strop it before I use it, and strop it before I put it away. My first strop was junk but I just got a nice new red latigo travel strop from Tony. My stropping has improved over time (I've only been using a straight for about 2 months)

My razor is an old 5/8" that, according to Lynn, had "seen better days". It has some marks and scars along the side, but had a decent edge. I wanted to get a nicer one, but it's not really in the budget.

My beard isn't too tough, except on my chin. It gets pretty tough there, especially right below the edges of my mouth on either side. That's where I usually feel the pulling/tugging, and in certain parts of my neck.

If you think I need a re-hone, I can definitely send it to you. I have to admit though, I will be a little embarassed to send this junker to someone with a formidable collection like yourself...

[joel]

Hmm, I guess that I figured since it moves smoothly on my cheeks and lip, but pulls on my chin and neck, that it was my technique.

I strop it before I use it, and strop it before I put it away. My first strop was junk but I just got a nice new red latigo travel strop from Tony. My stropping has improved over time (I've only been using a straight for about 2 months)

My razor is an old 5/8" that, according to Lynn, had "seen better days". It has some marks and scars along the side, but had a decent edge. I wanted to get a nicer one, but it's not really in the budget.

My beard isn't too tough, except on my chin. It gets pretty tough there, especially right below the edges of my mouth on either side. That's where I usually feel the pulling/tugging, and in certain parts of my neck.

If you think I need a re-hone, I can definitely send it to you. I have to admit though, I will be a little embarassed to send this junker to someone with a formidable collection like yourself...

Nick,
Has it always pulled/skipped in that area of your face? You'll have to be more descript about how you strop (see the prior questions) as to how many times you are stropping, as well as the questions RE: what kind of razor (IE: Brand). Even if it's in poor condition, if it is a good brand, and the edge is in good shape, it should still be able to take a great edge. If on the other hand it's just a really beat up razor, and it's always pulled in that area, the weak link is probably the razor - and in that case, just shipping both ways would probably run you $10 or so, and for about $20-25 you can get a new old stock Wapi in mint condition, which would be a far, far better investment as it would last you a lifetime and be a pretty little razor.

Since you don't seem to be too thrilled with your razor... my suggestion would be to continue to use it, and squirrel away a few bucks here and there, and pick up a Wapi when you can. They're all over ebay, and there are some for sale on this board and at srp right now, and they come up all the time. I'd be more than happy to hone one of those up for you as well. :smile:

[Ishamael70]

The only markings on the blade say: "United Special", and underneath "Guaranteed English Steel". I don't know if that helps.

I will definitely look into the wapi razor for the meantime (while saving for a nicer dovo or thiers-issard, etc.).

Thanks, I'll drop you a PM if I get a new razor, if you're not too busy maybe you can help me out with the honing!

[Ishamael70]

Alright, I decided to jump in and get that Wapienica razor, so it's on its way! Can't wait - thanks for the info Joel!

[joel]

Alright, I decided to jump in and get that Wapienica razor, so it's on its way! Can't wait - thanks for the info Joel!

Nick,
If you need it, I'll happily hone it up for you!

[Magruder]

Alright, I decided to jump in and get that Wapienica razor, so it's on its way!

That's a good move, Nick. I'm also new at this, and I picked up a Wapi a few weeks ago from someone at SRP. I've gotten better results with it than with my Dovo special tortoiseshell. I think it's because the Wapi has a slightly thicker, heavier blade (less of a hollow grind) than the Dovo.

[Emilius]

I have a question for the seasoned straight razor users here: I purchased my first straight from a B&B member a while ago, along with a strop (no paste). It is a Dovo 5/8 "Best Quality", round point, and the strop is a Selective one with a canvas side and a leather side. According to the vendor, the razor had been honed by Lynn.

The shaves are indeed improving, the WTG pass is now very close and pain-free, but the ATG is proving to be difficult. The razor does not glide smoothly, it tugs and drags awfully, and, although I don't get many nicks, my face ends up covered in bleeders.

My stropping technique has improved, but the first times I think I did it wrong: the strop was tight, but I used too much pressure on the razor, pressing the edge without the spine touching the strop. I am now doing it right, 15 to 20 strokes on the canvas side and 15 to 20 strokes on the leather side, but the ATG passes are not improving, even with close attention to blade angle.

Have I dulled the blade?
Was it not shave-ready?
Should I use a paste of some kind?

And on close examination, there's a tiny ding on the blade. :mad:

Thanks in advance, guys, you're all the best.

[joel]

I have a question for the seasoned straight razor users here: I purchased my first straight from a B&B member a while ago, along with a strop (no paste). It is a Dovo 5/8 "Best Quality", round point, and the strop is a Selective one with a canvas side and a leather side. According to the vendor, the razor had been honed by Lynn.

The shaves are indeed improving, the WTG pass is now very close and pain-free, but the ATG is proving to be difficult. The razor does not glide smoothly, it tugs and drags awfully, and, although I don't get many nicks, my face ends up covered in bleeders.

My stropping technique has improved, but the first times I think I did it wrong: the strop was tight, but I used too much pressure on the razor, pressing the edge without the spine touching the strop. I am now doing it right, 15 to 20 strokes on the canvas side and 15 to 20 strokes on the leather side, but the ATG passes are not improving, even with close attention to blade angle.

Have I dulled the blade?
Was it not shave-ready?
Should I use a paste of some kind?

And on close examination, there's a tiny ding on the blade. :mad:

Thanks in advance, guys, you're all the best.

Oh yikes.... well - yes, you dulled the blade, and rounded the edge. How big is the "ding" in the blade? If it is too large, the razor could be a little unsafe to use, however if it is very small it should be ok. Sounds like it needs more than paste however - it needs to be re-honed. :frown:

[Emilius]

Oh yikes.... well - yes, you dulled the blade, and rounded the edge. How big is the "ding" in the blade? If it is too large, the razor could be a little unsafe to use, however if it is very small it should be ok. Sounds like it needs more than paste however - it needs to be re-honed. :frown:

Sigh... well, thank you. I had expected that diagnosis, this is one of those occasions when your worst expectations come true. Behold the face of inexperience!

The ding is around 2 to 3mm long, it doesn't seem very big, but if you look at the edge of the blade, it's perfectly noticeable. Well, I'll be off to try and find some local barber to hone it up. Does this happen often to straight razor-newbies like me?

[joel]

Sigh... well, thank you. I had expected that diagnosis, this is one of those occasions when your worst expectations come true. Behold the face of inexperience!

The ding is around 2 to 3mm long, it doesn't seem very big, but if you look at the edge of the blade, it's perfectly noticeable. Well, I'll be off to try and find some local barber to hone it up. Does this happen often to straight razor-newbies like me?

2-3mm longs sounds like a pretty wicked ding. Heck - that's a chip, not a ding. Can you take some pics?

This doesn't happen too often with new straight razor shavers - but don't take it too hard, you'll be well on your way in no time!

[Emilius]

2-3mm longs sounds like a pretty wicked ding. Heck - that's a chip, not a ding. Can you take some pics?

This doesn't happen too often with new straight razor shavers - but don't take it too hard, you'll be well on your way in no time!


Pics? Ask, and ye shall receive (sorry about the quality, I had to borrow a camera):

http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=9590
Perhaps I exaggerated about the size of the chip, it's more of a 1mm chip.

http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=9591
Here you can see it better.

http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=9592
And here you can see what looks like a second! It's not a "crack", actually it's more as if the edge had been bent on that spot.

Here's the cause of the mistreatment I inflicted on this razor: I have seen a few videos of people shaving with a straight razor, including yours (courtesy of Mantic), and I always noticed how you kept the water running to rinse the razor. Since I had always been told not to waste water, I thought I could shave with a straight the same way I did with the DE: filling the sink with warm water and rinsing the razor in it. I did so by dipping and shaking the razor gently in the water. Perhaps I accidentally hit the edge against the walls of the sink, or against the tap on its journey back.

Anyway, I won't do it again :redface: . And thanks for your time, advice and patience, for I have just realized that this might not be the right thread for all my newbie questions!

[joel]

Did you buy that razor "new?" It looks like it's seen its better day, and looks like it has a fair amount of hone wear.

[moses]

That is a lot of hone wear.... I'm assuming it was not sold as a new razor.

And even my inexperienced eyes can tell it definitely needs some serious work now, to deal with those dings.

I would suggest, rather than a local barber, see if you can send it to a honer here on the board. I mean, if you can find a local barber who is an expert on straight razors, that would be great, but the odds are probably not so good. Most of them that do other straight razor shaves use disposable bladed razors. With the experts here, you can be sure, for the cost of shipping, a small fee, and a little time, that it really will be honed up sharp.

-Mo

[Emilius]

I bought it from a B&B member who said it had been honed by Lynn, so I presumed he had bought it new, had it honed up, decided that straight razors were not so cool and sold it. Of course, my inexperienced eye could not tell if there was hone wear or not, so now I know there is.

Yes, I thought about sending the razor to some experienced honer, preferably from the board, to have it re-honed. Actually, today I went to my usual barber, who stropped it on his paddle strop, and his comments came were quite surprising:

He said:

The razor is of very good quality.
Even now, it should shave perfectly.
I should not strop it daily, only after a number of shaves. :shocked:

Since I can feel my RAD kicking in, I just NEED to have this razor in the best condition.

Thanks, Joel and Mo, for your expert advice.

[moses]

Thanks, Joel and Mo, for your expert advice.

:eek:

What you really mean:

"Thank you, Joel, for your expert advice."

"Thank you, Mo, for your totally inexperienced and probably off base advice."
:wink:

Seriously, though, I don't want you, or anyone else here, thinking I am any kind of an expert, especially with straights. I do know my way around a DE pretty well, but I'm not sure I'd call myself expert there, either....

-Mo

[heavydutysg135]

He said:

The razor is of very good quality.
Even now, it should shave perfectly.
I should not strop it daily, only after a number of shaves. :shocked:

Since I can feel my RAD kicking in, I just NEED to have this razor in the best condition.

Thanks, Joel and Mo, for your expert advice.

Your barber is absolutely wrong, and that razor needs to be honed without a doubt; no if's and's or but's about it. You can clearly see the ding in the edge from the picture lol. Be careful when you rinse a straight razor because it is easy to cause this type of damage. If you so much as lightly tap the edge of the razor on the sink then the razor will need to be rehoned because the edge is much thinner than a sheet of paper. Also, straight razors do need to be stropped at least before every shave if you want them to perform their best. I am sorry but I really do not think that your barber knows very much about "real" straight razors based on his comments on the razor pictured. I also agree that there is an awful lot of hone wear on that razor for a "new" razor.

[Ishamael70]

Nick,
If you need it, I'll happily hone it up for you!

Joel, I finally got that wapi I ordered! :biggrin: Shoot me a PM and I can send it your way for your honing skills, if you have the time.

I am excited!

[joel]

Joel, I finally got that wapi I ordered! :biggrin: Shoot me a PM and I can send it your way for your honing skills, if you have the time.

I am excited!

Headed back your way :wink:

[garfinkel]

this was posted literally the day i sold my razor, strop, and stone that i had not used in 3 years after purchasing because i couldn't figure it out. :(

i'm happy with my DE, but some day in the future, would like to get the nerve back again. i'll wait a few years. :)

[DEwey]

Excellent job Joel - I switched to straights last Spring and they're tops.
Super info.
:thumbup1: :thumbup: :thumbup1:

[daveesq]

First off, thank you Joel for this wonderful resource. Seriously, it's pretty much all a newbie to straights needs and this newbie is very appreciative.

The question, though, is this: when is that video link going up? I'm getting down straight shaving pretty well, but I'd love to see it. I'm certain that all our fellow B&Bers who just got their first respective straights for Christmas would love it all the more.

No pressure, Joel. :wink:

[papasmurf]

First off, thank you Joel for this wonderful resource. Seriously, it's pretty much all a newbie to straights needs and this newbie is very appreciative.

The question, though, is this: when is that video link going up? I'm getting down straight shaving pretty well, but I'd love to see it. I'm certain that all our fellow B&Bers who just got their first respective straights for Christmas would love it all the more.

No pressure, Joel. :wink:

+1

I have been waiting for the same thing . I would like to see how some one else does it .

I am getting really good shaves but when you see some one else do it you may learn some thing that you would have never thought of doing .


Nick

[joel]

+1

I have been waiting for the same thing . I would like to see how some one else does it .

I am getting really good shaves but when you see some one else do it you may learn some thing that you would have never thought of doing .


Nick

There is a video of me shaving (albeit old) with a straight Mantic has on his youtube channel under straight razors. I've been dragging my feet a bit on this however - as the B&B DVD took forever to film and the squeaky tripod made it pretty mediocre. We'd like to do a professional studio video in the distant future, but hopefully Nick and I will get some time to re-shoot a straight razor shaving segment in the next month or so.

[netsurfr]

Thanks for the great collection of data!

[bipolar79]

Lots of good info here...thanks a ton!!!:w00t:

[Jackie]

One more quick comment - I can/will PDF this into one big ole guide if there is interest!
Hi Joel - your 'interactive article' is very very good. I'm putting my hand up for a giant guide PDF if possible - offer still on?

[PedroNavaja]

Yes, there's interest in the pdf

[joel]

Hi Joel - your 'interactive article' is very very good. I'm putting my hand up for a giant guide PDF if possible - offer still on?

Should be ready next week thanks to Telly. :smile:

[scrapcan]

Joel,

I am a recent new member and a noob at straights. I found the link to this guide on SRP. I notice it is now a pdf. Where can one find the pdf for download?

[Sputnik]

After playing with various honing setups, methods, and procedures, decided to put in my $0.02 in bullet points:

+ Basic setup: Norton 220/1000, Norton 4000/8000, Chinese 12K, a Swaty-type barber hone, a regular Illinois hanging strop.

+ Pyramid honing method did not produce as consistent results as a variation of Zowada method: 10-20-30-40. [Please see below.]

+ If the edge is damaged, use Norton 220/1000 to repair it and establish a bevel. Use as many laps as required, maintaining 1:1 ratio for Norton 220 and Norton 1000. In other words, if it took you 15 laps on 220 to repair the nicks, do 15 laps on Norton 1000.

+ If the edge looks OK, use Norton 4000 for 10 laps, followed by 20 laps on Norton 8000, and then by 30 laps Chinese 12K. After that, 40 stropping laps on the leather side. [I do not use the linen side of the strop.]

+ An old barber hone, like Swaty, should used exactly as directed, i.e., for 4~5 laps and then the razor is stropped for 40~50 laps. I think Swaty-type stones are about 10K and produce excellent results if your razor starts to pull.

+ If you do a decent job on initial honing with Nortons and Chines 12K, the barber hone and stropping steps will maintain the edge for a long time.

+ You can skip Chinese 12K step and shave right off Norton 8000 after stropping. However, Chinese 12K makes the edge really smooth. It all depends on your skin sensitivity.

+ You can skip the barber hone step if you you'd like to save time and money fishing for a decent stone on eBay and instead do 30 laps on Chinese 12K. A little more time-consuming, but produces an excellent edge.

+ I use X-pattern when I hone and strop.

+ The only true test is shaving.

[Manco]

Joel, one of the best threads I've read, all the information here is excellent. I just wish I'd read it when I started straight shaving :w00t: