LF: an old straight that needs restoring

**marbs34** · 02-03-2010, 07:58 AM

Hi there. I'm looking for a straight that may not be of much value in it's current condition. I don't have a nearby antique shop to look for stuff at since I'm a Marine stationed in Japan, and I'd just like a project to work on.

a little back ground;

I have no experience with honing or stropping. I'm not willing to learn on something new or worth anything surmountable, but I am very interested in learning. I've read and watched videos on honing and stropping and I'm pretty sure I can pull it off with patience, I've also got plenty of time and tools to get a nice polish done too.

ps. I have seen stuff on the bay for $10-15 which isn't too much, I have just come to realize that some of you guys on here honestly have too much stuff to know what to do with, so I'm laying it out there.

**Ichinichi** · 02-03-2010, 10:18 AM

sorry to be the one to say this, but you first need to get that post count up (to 50) before posting in the BST. given your keenness to learn, i don't foresee that as a problem.

**Dpflaum** · 02-03-2010, 10:27 AM

Well since he isn't selling anything and there is no limit on the WTB... shouldn't be a problem in there.

That being said, I have scored some really great vintage straights on ebay for around the $5-$15 mark, so that shouldn't be a problem for you. Most sellers will probably try to screw you on shipping to Japan, but it shouldn't be more than a few dollars from anyone respectable.

**marbs34** · 02-03-2010, 10:29 AM

It's standard USPS shipping or priority mail, I'm on a Base, it's just the sustoms form that gets people all riled up.

**mitchshrader** · 02-05-2010, 02:32 AM

I'm a novice learning to hone, similar focus on not ruining anything useful but wanting something I *might* get back to shaveability..

if you look at 'Lots' on straights on ebay, check for non-razor vendors, folks who sell general vintage junk.. you can pick up a batch in various conditions for one price, quite reasonable, under 10$ each. Shipping on six or ten isn't much more than one, and you might salvage enough to break even. Don't skimp on practice material, and nothing wrong with bulk pricing. Cheaper in the long run...

**coolbluewater** · 02-05-2010, 07:09 AM

As far as the honing goes, if you're going to be picking up a blade in semi-rough shape for short money, I recommend getting a diamond honing system - GATCO and DMT make some nice kits (I have the GATCO) that are idiot-proof for the most part and a good way to learn without braking the bank. You can do straight razors, pocket or kitchen knives too. You can pick up a decent strop on the cheap, or just grab a 2" wide smooth leather belt and some strop paste and you'll be good to go. The good thing about diamonds, even if/when you do get into the stones for honing, you can use the diamond hones to true the stones if they get gouged or damaged.
As always, YMMV.

**mitchshrader** · 02-06-2010, 07:48 AM

If it matters, the fast cheap answer on serrations is Lanskys rat tail diamond hone. The size is correct and few are, most round hones aren't small enough for general purpose use. The Lansky rattail diamond 600grit (they make another type) just works. If you ever need to hone down the shoulder by hand, it's the one.