Want to get my first Straight Razor shave ready

**Dave258** · 09-29-2011, 06:03 PM

I have wanted to try straight razor shaving since the first day I found B&B, but have been too scared to do it. I mentioned that to Andy, a member here from Australia in a letter (sign up for the snail mail exchange in the Nib), and a couple weeks later a box was sitting in my mail box with a straight razor among many other nice offerings from him! So now, I want to get this baby shave ready, and give it a try. I am sorry, the name of the razor escapes me right now, and I do not want to go upstairs and get it in fear of waking up my kids as they just fell asleep. It is a nice looking razor, and seemed plenty sharp to me, but Andy said to get it honed.
So, who do I send this to to get it ready for a shave, and what does it usually cost? Also, I see strops listed on the BST often, what qualities do you look for in a starter strop?
Thanks, and thanks again Andy!

**Wid** · 09-29-2011, 06:39 PM

If you could post some pics it would give a fella a good idea what would be needed to hone it up. Google "Filly Strop".

**Dave258** · 09-29-2011, 06:52 PM

Here is what I took real quick with my iphone. The bottom "handle" for lack of better term says Geneva Cutlery Geneva,NY with a pyramid with a number 7 in it. He did mention a filly strop,I forgot about it.

**Wid** · 09-29-2011, 06:56 PM

Pm me, I'll hone it for free if you pay postage both ways.

**Kentos** · 09-29-2011, 07:15 PM

Looks like it will bone up nice and easy!

**Malacoda** · 09-29-2011, 07:27 PM

Kudos to Wid - he's already offered to take care of getting it shave ready for you.

As for a starter strop, IMHO there's only one quality you really need to worry about - go CHEAP.

It shouldn't take you long to get the initial hang of stropping - probably only 1 to 2 weeks. But in that time you will nick the strop (okay, not definitely but better than 90% chance... especially when you first think you're getting the hang of it and get a little cocky/lax).

That said, you might want to check Rup Razors to see if he still offers his starter strop (~$25)... or watch the B&B Shave Mall for a cheap used one.

When I first started out, I bought a Heirloom Razor Strop Co strop from Tony Miller along with the cheap, shorter 'starter' strop he offered as an add-on for an additional $10 or $15. Not sure if he still offers it with regular stop orders but it's well worthwhile - and also another option worth considering - if he does (I now use it as a travel strop). I do know he has standard starter strop for around $50 right now...

As far as strop qualities to look for once you've gotten the hang of stropping - any leather-fabric strop set will work just fine (a few passes on the fabric to get any soap scum, etc off the bevel followed by 25-50 passes on each side of the razor on the leather). Heck, I even know of guys who stop on wet newspaper. As long as it has (and keeps) a flat surface and is made with quality material/craftsmanship that'll last you a long while (e.g. decades), the type of leather really doesn't matter...

Cordovan shell strops... English Bridle strops... Kanayama cordovan strops... kangaroo leather strops - they're all gorgeous... but the only real difference is the feed back you feel on your fingers and bragging rights - the difference in effect on the razor edge that you'll feel is negligible if not non-existant (although if you spend $300+ on a strop a part of your mind may try to convince you otherwise...).

**Wid** · 09-29-2011, 07:27 PM

Originally Posted by Kentos

Looks like it will bone up nice and easy!

Well, I don't know if it will bone up easy but honing it shouldn't be to hard.

**LarryAndro** · 09-29-2011, 07:28 PM

Nice looking razor, and a round tip to boot! Take Wid up on his offer, and tell him thank you. :)

**Dave258** · 09-29-2011, 08:06 PM

Originally Posted by Malacoda

Kudos to Wid - he's already offered to take care of getting it shave ready for you.

As for a starter strop, IMHO there's only one quality you really need to worry about - go CHEAP.

It shouldn't take you long to get the initial hang of stropping - probably only 1 to 2 weeks. But in that time you will nick the strop (okay, not definitely but better than 90% chance... especially when you first think you're getting the hang of it and get a little cocky/lax).

That said, you might want to check Rup Razors to see if he still offers his starter strop (~$25)... or watch the B&B Shave Mall for a cheap used one.

When I first started out, I bought a Heirloom Razor Strop Co strop from Tony Miller along with the cheap, shorter 'starter' strop he offered as an add-on for an additional $10 or $15. Not sure if he still offers it with regular stop orders but it's well worthwhile - and also another option worth considering - if he does (I now use it as a travel strop). I do know he has standard starter strop for around $50 right now...

As far as strop qualities to look for once you've gotten the hang of stropping - any leather-fabric strop set will work just fine (a few passes on the fabric to get any soap scum, etc off the bevel followed by 25-50 passes on each side of the razor on the leather). Heck, I even know of guys who stop on wet newspaper. As long as it has (and keeps) a flat surface and is made with quality material/craftsmanship that'll last you a long while (e.g. decades), the type of leather really doesn't matter...

Cordovan shell strops... English Bridle strops... Kanayama cordovan strops... kangaroo leather strops - they're all gorgeous... but the only real difference is the feed back you feel on your fingers and bragging rights - the difference in effect on the razor edge that you'll feel is negligible if not non-existant (although if you spend $300+ on a strop a part of your mind may try to convince you otherwise...).

I ended up ordering the Filly strop from Rup Razors. What do you guys think about the poor mans strop kit from Larry at whippeddog? It comes with Balsa Wood also that have iron oxide powder on it.

Originally Posted by LarryAndro

Nice looking razor, and a round tip to boot! Take Wid up on his offer, and tell him thank you. :)

I did take him up on his offer, and thanked him. It is a VERY nice gesture!

Once shave ready, and presuming I strop correctly, how long does a honing last about? I know it depends on your beard, probably prep, stropping... But about how long does an edge last?

**PapaFish** · 09-30-2011, 11:54 AM

The Poor Man's Strop Kit you refer to is a great deal. I recommend it, especially if you don't plan on learning to hone right away, as the ability to touch up your own razors will pay for it's self on very short order.
Leather Strop
The leather strop is nothing fancy, but it works very well (I use one almost daily) and can be used as a practice strop and/or a travel strop if you wanted to use your Filly daily. If I were you, and I got the Poor Man's Strop Kit, I would practice on this strop until I got confident enough to move on, since (as mentioned before) you are likely to nick it at least a couple times.
Neetsfoot Oil
It also comes with some neetsfoot oil to keep the strop conditioned, and it works much better than the leather conditioner I had used.
Pasted Balsa Strop
The pasted balsa strop is great. The Chromium Oxide does a great job of returning a razor to shave ready between honing. The Iron Oxide is great for getting a razor REALLY sharp, which means you get to use a REALLY light touch. The balsa strop is also a nice travel accessory, since it's light, takes up very little room, and you can touch up a razor with it in the case it needs done.
Extra Powders (for pasting Balsa)
I have used my balsa strop a bunch of times, and have not yet seen a need to re-paste the strop (although the kit comes with some extra powder for when it does eventually need done).

Most people (once they have figured out how to strop/shave correctly) get a month or so out of a good honing. The type of razor, thickness of beard, etc. will impact that, but that seems to be about what I hear reported. A pasted strop should be used when the razor starts to tug, and should extend the time between honing considerably.

**TZee** · 09-30-2011, 11:58 AM

Originally Posted by Dave258

I did take him up on his offer, and thanked him. It is a VERY nice gesture!

Once shave ready, and presuming I strop correctly, how long does a honing last about? I know it depends on your beard, probably prep, stropping... But about how long does an edge last?

That LarryAndro who just answered you is the Larry from WhippedDog.

**Dave258** · 09-30-2011, 12:32 PM

Originally Posted by TZee

That LarryAndro who just answered you is the Larry from WhippedDog.

Oh, I did not know. Well then thanks to Larry also because I ordered his poor mans strop kit too, in addition to the filly strop.

**Dave258** · 09-30-2011, 12:37 PM

Originally Posted by PapaFish

The Poor Man's Strop Kit you refer to is a great deal. I recommend it, especially if you don't plan on learning to hone right away, as the ability to touch up your own razors will pay for it's self on very short order.
Leather Strop
The leather strop is nothing fancy, but it works very well (I use one almost daily) and can be used as a practice strop and/or a travel strop if you wanted to use your Filly daily. If I were you, and I got the Poor Man's Strop Kit, I would practice on this strop until I got confident enough to move on, since (as mentioned before) you are likely to nick it at least a couple times.
Neetsfoot Oil
It also comes with some neetsfoot oil to keep the strop conditioned, and it works much better than the leather conditioner I had used.
Pasted Balsa Strop
The pasted balsa strop is great. The Chromium Oxide does a great job of returning a razor to shave ready between honing. The Iron Oxide is great for getting a razor REALLY sharp, which means you get to use a REALLY light touch. The balsa strop is also a nice travel accessory, since it's light, takes up very little room, and you can touch up a razor with it in the case it needs done.
Extra Powders (for pasting Balsa)
I have used my balsa strop a bunch of times, and have not yet seen a need to re-paste the strop (although the kit comes with some extra powder for when it does eventually need done).

Most people (once they have figured out how to strop/shave correctly) get a month or so out of a good honing. The type of razor, thickness of beard, etc. will impact that, but that seems to be about what I hear reported. A pasted strop should be used when the razor starts to tug, and should extend the time between honing considerably.

So, I have been doing some research, tell me if this is correct.
Obviously, keep blade clean and dry between shaves.
Leather strop around 60 laps before each shave.
What's the deal with cloth strops? Are the necessary?
A honing will last about a month, give or take, but I can fix my edge by stropping on the balsa wood strops that have the oxides. Do you strop on the Balsa wood the same as you would strop on the leather? Would you give the balsa wood and oxides a go after a couple of shaves, or like you say wait till I notice a difference.

**Dave258** · 09-30-2011, 12:39 PM

Originally Posted by TZee

That LarryAndro who just answered you is the Larry from WhippedDog.

I forgot to mention, on his website Larry offers free honing feedback, and I thought it said he sends a couple of razors to you for free to hone and send back. That sounds very cool, but I guess I should first get the hang of the shave before I worry about honing on my own, and stones...

**Blix** · 09-30-2011, 01:42 PM

First, remember to NOT strop before shaving when you get your razor back from Rick, he will send it to you ready to shave.
Being new to this, your razor may get dull a bit faster, as your shaving and stropping technique will not be quite there yet.
But as mentioned, the stuff you get in the Whippeddog strop kit can take care of that. Best of luck!

Btw, Genevas have quite hard American steel that can take a very sharp edge, I honed my first razor, a 5/8 Geneva just 30 minutes ago.

**Wid** · 09-30-2011, 02:13 PM

First, remember to NOT strop before shaving when you get your razor back from Rick, he will send it to you ready to shave.

This is a fact, it will be ready to use when it comes out of the box.

**JeffM** · 09-30-2011, 02:27 PM

Yes, you strop on the balsa spine first-7-10 stroke when you feel the edge deteriorating a little( the stubble is harder to get rid of)
Most strop on the cloth about 30 strokes, then 60 on the leather. What the leather does is uncertain.
I also like to do about 10 strokes on each AFTER the shave to ensure the edge is good and dry.

**PapaFish** · 09-30-2011, 02:51 PM

Obviously, keep blade clean and dry between shaves.

Absolutely! Depending on how long you go between shaves with that razor, some oil their edge to keep rust away. I don't, but I shave with mine very regular.

Leather strop around 60 laps before each shave.

60 seems good. Some like 30, other 50 or 60... You can try different numbers and see what works best for you, but starting out with 60 should ensure the leather has time to work it's magic.

What's the deal with cloth strops? Are the necessary?

I don't use one. Some use them pasted the same way one might use a balsa strop. Others use them to clean/dry the blade. I think they would be advantageous for cleaning/drying the blade, and also for hastening the edge correction right after honing. But like I said, I don't use one.

A honing will last about a month, give or take, but I can fix my edge by stropping on the balsa wood strops that have the oxides. Do you strop on the Balsa wood the same as you would strop on the leather? Would you give the balsa wood and oxides a go after a couple of shaves, or like you say wait till I notice a difference.

Same as leather, spline leading, edge trailing (otherwise you run the risk of cutting the balsa). This is why it's a balsa strop, not a balsa hone (edge can lead on a hone). As pointed out above, use when there are signs that things aren't going as smooth as they used to. The number of passes may vary, so you might have to do some testing to see what works for you. If you start out with a low number, you can always do more (it's just inconvenient when your face is all lathered up and ready to go to do another set of passes on both the balsa AND the leather before seeing if it works better).
Remember, the order for touch ups should be Green Chromium Oxide, clean razor to prevent passing on CrOx to next step, Red Iron Oxide (if wanted), clean razor to prevent passing FeOx to next step, plain Leather, shave.