Whipped Dog

[Bendragon]

Thanks Gissy, your 1st Straight shave Vid was one of the first I happened across when I was first poking my nose in this side of the forum.

I can imagine my eyes will be like dinner plates too

[Gissy]

Thanks Gissy, your 1st Straight shave Vid was one of the first I happened across when I was first poking my nose in this side of the forum.

I can imagine my eyes will be like dinner plates too

Luckily that fear goes away really fast!

[Legion]

I don't know of anyone specific in Brissy, but there are a lot of straight razor users (and honers) in Aus. Once you have been around for a little longer be sure to join GSL (the link is in my sig.)

[Bendragon]

Totally not posting now to get my 50th post...

But it's going to be something I want to do on my own sometime, but if I was learning to straight shave and hone at the same time, I think I'd be disappointed with both results.
One step at a time.

[deezyrocks]

whippeddog is the spot. I just got a razor from Larry and am very happy with it. The brushes from there are sweet to and the slight animal smell goes away very quickly.

[FJJ]

And here's mine! Arrived to the UK in under 10 days, pretty impressive!

The balsa strop is excellent - i've already used it to sharpen up one of my other straights. The included razor seemed well honed and is in pretty good condition.

The tang is stamped 'Donaldson Ogden & Co. St. Paul Minn' on one side and 'Made in Germany' on the other. Looks to be about 1/2'

[Gissy]

And here's mine! Arrived to the UK in under 10 days, pretty impressive!

The balsa strop is excellent - i've already used it to sharpen up one of my other straights. The included razor seemed well honed and is in pretty good condition.

The tang is stamped 'Donaldson Ogden & Co. St. Paul Minn' on one side and 'Made in Germany' on the other. Looks to be about 1/2'

I love those scales! I have one with the same scale, but a different blade. I used a toothbrush and some dish washing soap to clean up the scales. It really helped!

[FJJ]

I love those scales! I have one with the same scale, but a different blade. I used a toothbrush and some dish washing soap to clean up the scales. It really helped!

Thanks for the tip, I'll give that a try!

[onadraw]

Mine says Brummel Werk, Soligen Germany.

I'm very happy with my WhippedDog experience. Now I need to build the courage to give it a go. Looks scary sharp.

[Gissy]

Mine says Brummel Werk, Soligen Germany.

I'm very happy with my WhippedDog experience. Now I need to build the courage to give it a go. Looks scary sharp.

I really like those scales! Have fun with it!

[Bendragon]

It arrived today, I got exactly what I was wanting, a smooth looking razor with a rounded tip for learning.

It's got a bunch of patina on it, but that will be removed with some elbow grease but I was very happy when I was going over it (at work) and catching in the light I can read Koken St Louis on one side, and Army Navy on the other.
I did a bit of the googles and found that they opperated from 1896 - 1925. Given that it shows (VERY faintly) Army Navy, can I assume that it was issued ?
From what I can find, and without putting a tape to it, it's 6/8 - or 5/8

Very keen to get the ball rolling, but a bit of clean up work first, I'll leave the tang and tail original and untouched.

[johna2231]

BenDragon,

A little advice if I may. When I was brand new to straight shaving I didn't really grasp how delicate and fine the edge on a straight razor really is. I wouldn't mess around too much with the appearance just yet as you could inadvertently mess up the edge and ruin your shaving experience. Just a thought.

Sounds like you're off to a great start. I'm not sure on the whole "Army Navy" stamping on your razor, but I have found that researching old razors can be half the fun. Take care and let us know if we can help with anything.

John

[gash]

I had the same thought as John. If I were you, I'd wait to clean/polish it. The edge is extremely delicate.

[Slash McCoy]

Yeah... for now, just shave with it. Give it a dozen laps on the balsa after every shave, and if your stropping technique is up to snuff, it will stay sharp for a very very long time.

When it does start to go dull on you, THEN polish it up, sand it, whatever. Meanwhile order another whippeddog, razor only, to shave with while you learn to hone with the first one. To get into the honing game cheaply and painlessly, go with lapping film instead of rocks. See the thread, http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/283576 and do a search for other lapping film threads. Don't hone until you are done polishing.

[AussieNick]

BenDragon, I am very envious. I've been looking at straights since joining too. I haven't yet got the courage up to order a Whipped Dog Sight Unseen deal yet, partly because I'm nervous importing a straight into Australia.

I will be watching with baited breath to see how your journey progresses.

[Bendragon]

Isn't this supposed to be....calming...

So that's one straight shave down ! No real blood to speak of, a bunch of burn, which is a very new thing for me.
I found that I really needed to thin down the lather in order to see what I was doing, still plenty slick but the obvious reason for the burn, that and me going over the same place.

Next time I'll keep the lather and do a full pass before doing touch ups and over thinking things haha

[Bendragon]

[shakin_jake]

That's a very nice looking razor you have there and I'll echo what others said about not cleaning it up...if you do you'll surely disturb the edge Larry put on it for you. Nothing wrong shaving with a straight razor with the amount of patina that one has. the edge is clean and fresh (& way sharp!) and that's all that matters

now if you could get ahold of some lapping film (strip each of 3 um and 1 um), then I'd say clean it up. Maybe someone in your country could mail the film to you in an envelope


Best,


Jake
Reddick Fla.

[Romeo Bravo]

I wouldn't want to clean that beauty. The patina is what gives it charm. It looks better to me than a new Dovo.

[Bendragon]

I'm kind of fond of it now...you're all right, it gives it just the right amount of character.

I've picked up another straight on in the BST forum :)
That one is NOT shave ready...so I'll give it a clean up and try to get a nice finish on it before I try my hand at honing (and finding) some lapping film.
IT won't be here for a week or so, plenty of time to do some more homework.

Side note, another straight shave under the belt with almost zero razor burn and no cuts, a few weepers, but they only lasted until the cold water went on.
I swapped the Wahl cream for my Col Conk Lime (that I've melted and mixed with some Wahl cream to tame the Lime some) and all is well.

One thing, I'm a little hesitant to use long strokes, am I best to keep with shorter strokes and get some longer ones with practice, or try to move to longer ones off the bat ?