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Re: Straight Razor from Spyderco

Posted: Fri Jan 31, 2020 1:33 pm
by sal
Hi Pinochle

Welcome to our forum.

FYI, Blokes picture at the top of the page is what I looked like when I attended the first Hammer in in Dubois Wyoming in 1983, It was my first day of shaving with a straight razor.

sal

Re: Straight Razor from Spyderco

Posted: Fri Jan 31, 2020 1:45 pm
by pinochle
sal wrote:
Fri Jan 31, 2020 1:33 pm
Hi Pinochle

Welcome to our forum.

FYI, Blokes picture at the top of the page is what I looked like when I attended the first Hammer in in Dubois Wyoming in 1983, It was my first day of shaving with a straight razor.

sal
Thanks!

Hahaha! The first time I shaved with my straight, my best friend and my wife came running in because they didn't see or hear from me for a while. Just to make sure I was still alive. LOL!

Re: Straight Razor from Spyderco

Posted: Fri Jan 31, 2020 7:08 pm
by jpm2
pinochle wrote:
Fri Jan 31, 2020 1:11 pm
I started off with a Feather Artist Club. It's a great way to learn the art of shaving with a straight. But you won't learn anything about blade maintenance.
I looked at the ones with replaceable blades, but have decided to give it a go sharpening it myself, even though I might look like Bloke for a while :eek: :D
NoFair wrote:
Fri Jan 31, 2020 1:16 pm
5/8, carbon steel and any handle you like the look of. At least it doesn't matter much to me in use. I use old vintage 5/8, 6/8 and 4/8 in carbon steel and they all work fine, corrosion isn't an issue. 5/8 is a slim favorite regarding size
I had it in mind to go with non stainless, but was curious about specific alloys. It kinda bugs me not knowing exactly what it is.
What are the differences in using the different sizes, any advantages or disadvantages between them you know of?
My only real concern with handle is durability.

Re: Straight Razor from Spyderco

Posted: Fri Jan 31, 2020 9:16 pm
by sal
HI Jpm,

It's all about time with the razor. You'll decide for yourself what works bet for you. I used to rotate between half dozen or so, stainless and carbon. I don't think you'll have any issues with the handle. You really don't use the handle. It's only there to protect the blade when not in use.

sal

Re: Straight Razor from Spyderco

Posted: Sat Feb 01, 2020 9:33 am
by jpm2
Howdy Sal,

Good advise, thanks. Think I’ll get a few inexpensive ones in different sizes/styles to practice sharpening and shaving.

Re: Straight Razor from Spyderco

Posted: Sat Feb 01, 2020 12:09 pm
by sal
Maybe we can get some of the experts to start a tutorial thread on use and maintenance?

sal

Re: Straight Razor from Spyderco

Posted: Sat Feb 01, 2020 10:19 pm
by zhyla
sal wrote:
Sat Feb 01, 2020 12:09 pm
Maybe we can get some of the experts to start a tutorial thread on use and maintenance?

sal
This is how I got started:

http://www.shavemyface.com/downloads/Th ... -Shave.pdf

It’s pretty comprehensive.

Re: Straight Razor from Spyderco

Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2020 1:53 pm
by Mike Blue
Zhyla, that's a good beginning.

This list is not comprehensive or in any particular order. Good information appears in diverse places. Some may fit you better than others. The general feel of each of them is different. Some are more commercial than others. They all have tutorials. Study carefully, common truths will rise to the top. As always, caveat emptor. There are some places who prey on the frugal. Buy the best and you only cry once. This is true of information too.

The general outline of study for those interested falls into multiple complimentary categories. I think you'll find a similar approach to the content of this forum. Owning a Spyderco is much more than opening the box.

Soaps and skin treatment. Shave preparation of the skin. Styptic preparations and basic first aid. Post shave skin treatment.
Razor blade care and feeding. Stropping. Honing.
How to Shave.
Blade history, styles, steels.
Storage (in case you find yourself owning more than one razor, LOL)

https://www.sharprazorplace.com. It is a good place to study. Tutorials and reviews and they have their own wiki to study from.

https://www.badgerandblade.com/forum/

https://theshaveden.com/forums

http://forum.shavemyface.com there is a lot of experience here, insightful information.

https://www.atgshaving.com
mostly, more Double Edge (DE) shaving oriented.

https://damnfineshave.com
mostly, more Double Edge (DE) shaving oriented.

Re: Straight Razor from Spyderco

Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2020 7:58 pm
by jpm2
Mike Blue wrote:
Fri Jan 24, 2020 6:41 pm
That's a great question jpm2. Honing a razor will always be a balance of hard vs less hard, abrasion resistance and the rest of the variables. It will have to be a compromise no matter what. I'm looking forward to the Bainite blade, but this won't stop the discussion of other equally viable steels. Spyderco is one of the few companies with the kind of education and experience to shorten that learning curve.
Somehow I read right past this tidbit. Would this be for the purpose of toughening up a high carbide steel?

I've been practice sharpening/shaving with some very cheap razors the last few days, and have much to learn.
Anyone wishing for thinner edges, get a straight razor and enjoy. :D

Re: Straight Razor from Spyderco

Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2020 9:31 pm
by Mike Blue
Yes, bainitic microstructure adds toughness to a hardened steel. The parent material is good old O-1 that has been heat treated to this condition. Legends about straight razors include plenty of stories of the blades being hard and the edges will chip if dropped or contacting the hardware in the sink or the porcelain. Bainite blades can flex a bit more than a martensitic type.

When I was introduced to straight razors properly, I had to revisit my own notions about what sharp really was. I'm glad I did.

Re: Straight Razor from Spyderco

Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2020 8:46 pm
by KingRat
I'm in for one.

I sometimes shave with a straight, depending on my mood. (Shaving with a straight is not for the tired, or the inebriated for that matter. The more you know...) I have one of those newer Hart Steel razors, and an older Case Red Imp. Both are wedges, which is my preference.

The Hart Steel uses hex screw hardware, so you can take it apart for maintenance. The Case has older, more traditional pin construction. I'd be fine with either. I imagine you could use one of the many torx fasteners you have in supply. I'd probably never take it apart if I was reasonably confident there was no rust around the pivot. I have to take the Hart Steel apart regularly to remove/prevent rust, whereas this is never a problem with the Case, provided I do a good job drying it between uses, and occasionally oil the pivot/blade.

I have it down to where I pretty much just use an ultra fine bench stone (the Spyderco Black Box) and an inexpensive strop for sharpening.

Re: Straight Razor from Spyderco

Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2020 9:00 pm
by KingRat
KingRat wrote:
Thu Feb 13, 2020 8:46 pm
I'm in for one.

I sometimes shave with a straight, depending on my mood. (Shaving with a straight is not for the tired, or the inebriated for that matter. The more you know...) I have one of those newer Hart Steel razors, and an older Case Red Imp. Both are wedges, which is my preference.

The Hart Steel uses hex screw hardware, so you can take it apart for maintenance. The Case has older, more traditional pin construction. I'd be fine with either. I imagine you could use one of the many torx fasteners you have in supply. I'd probably never take it apart if I was reasonably confident there was no rust around the pivot. I have to take the Hart Steel apart regularly to remove/prevent rust, whereas this is never a problem with the Case, provided I do a good job drying it between uses, and occasionally oil the pivot/blade.

I have it down to where I pretty much just use an ultra fine bench stone (the Spyderco Black Box) and an inexpensive strop for sharpening.
My Hart Steel razor is O-1. My Red Imp is made of ???? steel. I honestly prefer the ???? blade. The steel does not need to be super steel to give you a super shave.

Re: Straight Razor from Spyderco

Posted: Fri Feb 14, 2020 11:38 am
by Mike Blue
Straight razor traditionalists seem to prefer a pinned assembly. I'm on the fence for the reasons you have mentioned.

The majority of old, turn of the century razors that were available had very common shared steels. Mostly Sheffield crucible steel. In this day and age, the razor users want to try the modern super steels, but there are not many custom razor makers out there willing to.

O-1 is old school and highly under rated compared to the modern alloys. It does produce the desired structure in the heat treatment and that's what I was after. I might suggest, the next time your Hart is due for a bit of hone touch up, use a piece of electrical tape over the spine and see if a minor degree of angle change helps. Otherwise, as i learned the hard way, sometimes it's the razor-wet computer interface and shaving technique needs to change a bit.

Re: Straight Razor from Spyderco

Posted: Fri Feb 14, 2020 2:32 pm
by KingRat
Mike Blue wrote:
Fri Feb 14, 2020 11:38 am
Straight razor traditionalists seem to prefer a pinned assembly. I'm on the fence for the reasons you have mentioned.

The majority of old, turn of the century razors that were available had very common shared steels. Mostly Sheffield crucible steel. In this day and age, the razor users want to try the modern super steels, but there are not many custom razor makers out there willing to.

O-1 is old school and highly under rated compared to the modern alloys. It does produce the desired structure in the heat treatment and that's what I was after. I might suggest, the next time your Hart is due for a bit of hone touch up, use a piece of electrical tape over the spine and see if a minor degree of angle change helps. Otherwise, as i learned the hard way, sometimes it's the razor-wet computer interface and shaving technique needs to change a bit.
I will try that. Thanks!

Re: Straight Razor from Spyderco

Posted: Fri Feb 14, 2020 4:19 pm
by Basetta70
Please carbon steel, Spanish notch, full hollow and with stabilizer.
Really love the 5/8 or the 6/8.
You should need a special machine with counter rotating wheel in order to make them.
I'll be very curious if spy can beat my old vintage Puma.
Straight razors seems to be a very simple tool to develop but you need several quality inspection steps during the process, much more than with knife making.
Please No laser etching, it's horrible on the tang.
Good luck

Re: Straight Razor from Spyderco

Posted: Fri Feb 14, 2020 4:52 pm
by zhyla
Mike Blue wrote:
Fri Feb 14, 2020 11:38 am
Straight razor traditionalists seem to prefer a pinned assembly. I'm on the fence for the reasons you have mentioned.
I haven't noticed any good reason to take a razor apart -- the handle is already open and shallow so if you needed to clean it, it's all right there without disassembling. Plus you don't carry these in your pocket, it's possibly the cleanest thing I own.

But I could see enthusiasts getting into custom handles. A torx pivot would be nice for that I guess.

Re: Straight Razor from Spyderco

Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2020 3:20 pm
by jpm2
I would prefer screw construction, but if pinned, no big deal.
KingRat wrote:
Thu Feb 13, 2020 8:46 pm
I have it down to where I pretty much just use an ultra fine bench stone (the Spyderco Black Box) and an inexpensive strop for sharpening.
This is where I want to be... not there yet. After the UF, I'm doing a hard black Arkansas, then 1 micron diamond paste on hard backed linen before the naked leather hanging strop.

Re: Straight Razor from Spyderco

Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2020 3:50 pm
by sal
Hi Jpm, King Rat,

FYI, the origination of the ultra fine stone was when I was shaving with a straight razor. I needed a finer stone that the fine ceramic, so i "gritted" down a fine stone that I had split to a 1 X 6. I used a diamond hone to grit it down, which worked on the ceramic , but ruined the diamond stone. It worked so well I decided to make the ultra fine 2 X 6 (black box), which is a gritted down fine stone done by long term tumbling. Then I decided to make the 3 X 8 Ultra fine which is kind of an ultimate stone that will work with knives, razors and woodworking tools.

sal

Re: Straight Razor from Spyderco

Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2020 4:25 pm
by Basetta70
I love the UF, it's simply a product you can't beat.

Re: Straight Razor from Spyderco

Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2020 5:59 pm
by Donut
Mike Blue wrote:
Fri Feb 14, 2020 11:38 am
The majority of old, turn of the century razors that were available had very common shared steels. Mostly Sheffield crucible steel. In this day and age, the razor users want to try the modern super steels, but there are not many custom razor makers out there willing to.

O-1 is old school and highly under rated compared to the modern alloys. It does produce the desired structure in the heat treatment and that's what I was after. I might suggest, the next time your Hart is due for a bit of hone touch up, use a piece of electrical tape over the spine and see if a minor degree of angle change helps. Otherwise, as i learned the hard way, sometimes it's the razor-wet computer interface and shaving technique needs to change a bit.
Butch makes some folding knives in super steel and he makes some (of the best?) Straight Razors. It looks like most of the Straight Razors are XHP and CPM154. He is kind of pricey (with products out of what I consider a reasonable price range) because he's earned a name.

XHP would probably be pretty sweet, but I wouldn't want to cut into his business. How about Elmax?