Straightrazors

[Rifleman1776]

I've used a straight razor for years. Best shave I ever had. Take your time and go slowly. Use water as hot as you can stand it.

I'm going to give it a go tomorrow morning! I have 3 shave ready razors, The H.C Wentworth & Sons I have dated to between 1903 to 1912.

It's been nice knowning ye.

 

[MSW]

Well, I just got through with my first Straight razor Shave, went pretty well I thought, only one cut! I had to finish my chin and a bit under it the a regular razor (a bit too iffy for the first time!). I need to get out and by some 4000 and 8000 grit stone to hone with. Cheeks and neck are nice an smooth, but I do need more practice Stropping.

there are several good vids on u- tube about how to use the 8000 grit stone ... I use an 8000 grit waterstone with a slipstone slurry & some electricians tape to tinker the angle. works great once you get the hang of it!

good luck in your journey toward manly- man coolness!

(by the way, the last time I cut myself badly was with a "safety razor" haven't done that since I went to shaving with an open blade ... perhaps it's that you are using an unguarded blade, so you pay attention to what you're doing)

 

[crockett]

Cut chins, et al is why guys wore mustaches, etc.

 

[Rick Boylan]

I shaved with one for a few years and enjoyed it, but I wouldn't say I got a better shave than a conventional razor. When you factor in the upkeep (honing, stropping, etc) and the longer amount of time it takes to shave with a straight razor you may find it is or isn't worth it. It's definitely fun though.

I've been using one long enough that I can shave as quickly with it as I could with a safety razor. I own a honing stone but I've only used it once. I found that buying some diamond spray to coat the cloth side of the strop works faster and just as well as using the stone to hone the blade. You just spray on this green liquid on the cloth strop and let it dry. Once dry you pass your razor over it like you do to strop it and after a few passes it comes away very sharp. I've only had to use the stone once on an old razor I bought at a gun show.

The razor I bought is a Dovo. It's the least expensive model they make. I bought it from a company on line named Straight Razor Design. That's where I bought my strop, brush, oil and the diamond spray. They have the best prices I've found on razors.

I also have a Dovo shavette razor with replaceable blades that I use in my travel case. It's the type of straight razor that many barbers use. When it gets dull you just take out the old blades and put in new ones.

 

[jamesthomas]

There are too many razors at Antique shops to ever buy a razor online, I just bought a Krusius Brothers Razor with a Barbers Notch (1889 to 1927) for $25.00 from one, needs some work, but I'll work on it and get it ready.

 

[Wes/Tex]

Straight razors are an interesting subject and have a fascinating history. Until about 1790-1800 they were thin bladed with virtually no tang extension and usually horn or bone handled. The blades were straight tapered.
http://straightrazorplace.com/attachments/razor-clubs/50401d1287342330-1700s-show-shepherd.jpg
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/bd/1f/73/bd1f735cc5325449cceae185c1da11ba.jpg

Around 1800, they kept the straight sided taper but the blades and handles got much larger and the blades a lot deeper (top to edge). After 1815, English made blades often were stamped or etched with patriotic slogans to cater to the American market.
http://theshiveringbeggar.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/DSC0866.jpg
http://shavesmith.com/wp-content/u...r-Straight-Razor-in-Ox-Horn-Scales-1-of-3.jpg

Another made for teh Chinese market...same as teh U.S. style but Chinese markings.
http://straightrazorplace.com/atta...lliam-greaves-sons-chinese-razor-dscn9886.jpg

Around the time of our Civil War the makers finally went to hollow ground blades that could be repeatedly rehoned till quite a bit was gone and till retain enough thinness of blade to take an edge.
http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-medi...ogressive,q_80,w_800/uy4jy5tevjyeqfdnzwfs.jpg
http://straightrazorplace.com/atta...8-new-vintage-boker-need-help-history-_57.jpg

There's some over-lap in the time frame of their history, but they're interesting items and fun to use. The secret is good, wet lather and keep the skin tight. You slide the blade along at about 30 degree off skin and it's not keeping the skin taught that allows it to roll up in front of the edge and get cut. It's like getting to Carnegie Hall, "practice, practice, practice"! :wink: :haha:

 

[Darkgael]

I use straights regularly.
Here's one that I forged from a piece of 1080 steel (from a design by R.Lewis):

 

[Kansas Jake]

That is a pretty piece of work.

 

[Rick Boylan]

The ones sold by Straight Razor design are brand new production and they hone them beyond shave ready when you buy them. Mine was crazy sharp when I got it.

 

[crockett]

Thanks Wes/Tex- great photos!

 

[jamesthomas]

I have a 4000/8000 grit Norton Waterstone and a stick of Chromium Oxide for my strop on the way from Amazon. Picked up a Wade&Brothers Sheffield and a G.Wostenholm&Sons IXL Sheffield in the past two weeks. So far the Straight Razor Place is boring.

 

[Darkgael]

Two Wade and Butchers...one full wedge and one full hollow:

My oldest....early 19th century:

 

[jamesthomas]

My W&B is a 5/8th's and has a Barbers Notch. I received the hones yesterday via UPS (2 day delivery) free shipping.

 

[Darkgael]

A bit like this one?

 

[jamesthomas]

Yep, sorta like that, Mine has some kind of inlay on the handle. I haven't been able to find a picture of it. In fact I haven't been able to find pictures or information on most of my razors. :idunno: .

 

[Stophel]

I finally found one that I can actually shave with (more or less). The others I have, though incredibly sharp, still don't shave well. With this, I can... if I HAVE to... shave about 2/3rds as well as I can with a cheap triple blade disposable razor. I just do NOT have the patience for all the hot towels and stuff... :shocked2:

It's a "Pipe Brand", made by Wostenholm. Apparently well thought of amongst modern razor afficionados. Hollow ground, of course, with horn handle scales that still stink after 125 years.

 

[MSW]

I've found that there are several pretty good 'how to' videos on U Tube, etc. which will demonstrate different sharpening methods. Putting the initial edge is the most difficult and time consuming ... you may want to consider practicing with a 'cheapie,' rather than mis -sharpening your good razor. Do not overstrop. I don't fool with a bunch of towels and so on - just a good soap and you're all set.

Good luck in you quest for manly man coolness!

 

[Stophel]

Oh, I'm better than most when it comes to sharpening. I decided to get mine out and shave with it the other day. I can do tolerably well with it. I tend to only shave once every 3 to 4 days anyway, so it's good enough for me!

 

[Tom Compton]

I have bought a few on eBay. Broken scales or nicked blade edges etc. they do make great patch knives.
TC

 

[Bear Rider]

I used this one to shave this morning:

Made in New York prior to WWI, possibly before 1900.