Hope I made the right choice!

**Jcof3474** · 11-30-2009, 07:54 PM

So I decided to buy a straight, well technically my wife got it for me for Christmas, but you get the point. After a lot of looking around for good deals I decided on the Boker King Cutter Black Handle 5/8 and strop set from SRD because it comes with free honing for the life of the razor (I figured that was a great deal and I can think about learning to hone later on).

I am very excited about this purchase, I just hope I am getting a good razor and strop. I was scared of the lower end Dovo's because of all QC talk, nor did I want to spend a ton on a TI, so hopefully the Boker will be a good starting razor.

What do you guys thing?

I guess I just have to wait until Christmas to use it though

J.

**JPM** · 11-30-2009, 09:38 PM

Congrats! I just ordered a Boker for SRD today as well. Can't say I'm going to be able to wait until Christmas, though.

**mdunn** · 11-30-2009, 09:51 PM

nice one - you wont regret it!

**psychoshonen** · 11-30-2009, 10:02 PM

While I can't speak for the new Bokers, if they're anything like the vintage one, they are fantastic razors. Enjoy the razor, and the straight journey!

**Luc** · 11-30-2009, 11:30 PM

Should be perfect!

It will give you time to read everything 3-4 times!

Start with Joel's tutorial and look at those: http://www.youtube.com/jockeys41

**Dharion** · 12-01-2009, 12:04 AM

Now just don't get 'exhausted' after a few shaves and you'll be fine. It should make a good start.

**Jcof3474** · 12-01-2009, 06:35 AM

Thanks guys, I have a lot of reading to do now and and some videos to watch too. So much to learn! But, I think that is part of the attraction of straight shaving to me though; so much to learn and it is a learned skill so I can't wait to start.

J.

**Jcof3474** · 12-04-2009, 12:19 PM

Well it looks like I won't have to wait for Christmas afterall to use my straight! My wife found one of her Christmas gifts in the mail and opened it so she started using it, so now I get to use my straight! It should be here any day now so I am excited, and getting a little scarred too.
Since it comes shave ready I suppose I don't need to strop it before I use it the first time right?

Thanks,
J.

**JPM** · 12-04-2009, 02:17 PM

Originally Posted by Jcof3474

Well it looks like I won't have to wait for Christmas afterall to use my straight! My wife found one of her Christmas gifts in the mail and opened it so she started using it, so now I get to use my straight! It should be here any day now so I am excited, and getting a little scarred too.
Since it comes shave ready I suppose I don't need to strop it before I use it the first time right?

Thanks,
J.

I spoke with Don at Straight Razor Design when I ordered mine, and he said I can shave with it without stropping the first time. I got the same deal on honing, so I'm assuming you picked yours up at the same place. If so, should be ready to go.

**Jcof3474** · 12-04-2009, 02:23 PM

Originally Posted by JPM

I spoke with Don at Straight Razor Design when I ordered mine, and he said I can shave with it without stropping the first time. I got the same deal on honing, so I'm assuming you picked yours up at the same place. If so, should be ready to go.

Thanks! Yeah I got mine there too. I was probably going to wait on getting a straight for a little while longer, but the deal on the honing was just too good since I don't want to have to worry about that for a while.

Good luck on your journey!

J.

**r0ckrat** · 12-05-2009, 02:21 PM

With most (if not all) honemeisters, the blade will come to you pre-stropped and ready to shave, hence the "shave ready" label. If you are new to stropping, you risk damaging the edge before you ever get to use it, and will then never be able to tell if you've got a sharp edge.

Shave with it, and then when beginning to learn to strop be sure to keep the blade fully flat, with the spine and edge both in contact with the strop at all times except when flipping on the spine.

Hope that helps, and enjoy the shave! Merry Christmas!

**flylot** · 12-06-2009, 03:41 AM

As a newbie to str8 shaving myself (1 month) I would suggest:

read the wikis

practice stropping: even if its a butter knife on the back of a wide belt, it takes a bit to get used to(I think I set the record when it comes to knicking a TM practice strop!). It's the muscle memory of turning the razor.

Take it slow. It is quite the learning curve! My first shave was exhausting and I had a nick and two weepers. It will take a while b4 you even achieve a DE quality shave.

It was worth every trial and tribulation!

Enjoy!

**DunEdinRanger** · 12-06-2009, 06:00 AM

Originally Posted by Jcof3474

Well it looks like I won't have to wait for Christmas afterall to use my straight! My wife found one of her Christmas gifts in the mail and opened it so she started using it, so now I get to use my straight! It should be here any day now so I am excited, and getting a little scarred too.
Since it comes shave ready I suppose I don't need to strop it before I use it the first time right?

Thanks,
J.

Freudian Slip?

**BEAR DEN** · 12-06-2009, 12:57 PM

+ 1 on practicing stropping...it is a necessity. Enjoy your journey!

**Jcof3474** · 12-07-2009, 07:53 AM

Originally Posted by Jcof3474

Well it looks like I won't have to wait for Christmas afterall to use my straight! My wife found one of her Christmas gifts in the mail and opened it so she started using it, so now I get to use my straight! It should be here any day now so I am excited, and getting a little scarred too.
Since it comes shave ready I suppose I don't need to strop it before I use it the first time right?

Thanks,
J.

Originally Posted by DunEdinRanger

Freudian Slip?

Wow, now I am straight up worried!

Good catch, quite funny!

J.