I decided to write this guide to explain buying and using a straight razor.  It's not rocket science!

     When bidding on a razor, bid on what you like, not what the new age reviewers say.  I have over 600 straight razors and some I have purchased on eBay.  First topic is that you know how to shave with one.  I laughed when I saw these people with videos out on how to shave, and in the video, they cut the heck out of themselves.  I laugh!  Myself, I have used a straight all of my 54 years. I even used one in the field when I was in the service.  It is a pleasurable shave if you know what you are doing, rather than dreading the regular safety razor shave. When bidding on a razor on eBay, remember that the majority of them have been used and you might have to do a little work on them or you might find some flaws.  These razors sold for about $2.00 US in their time and now the yuppies are paying in excess of $200.00 for a supposedly superior razor like the Double Duck.  Most any razor made in Solingen, Germany are good steel.  The Bengal Cut Throats are also a good razor as they are noted to be the easiest to sharpen and hold their edge.  When you first start using a straight, start every day on your sideburns and cheeks.  You will find out that you do not need as much pressure as a safety razor, so you have to break that habit.  You should stretch you skin while you shave.  I have seen people use there hads to do this like they were going to pull their face off.  A person can just move there chn and face muscles around to accomplish the same thing!  REMEMBER THAT STRAIGHT RAZOR COLLECTING AND SHAVING IS STARTING TO BECOME FASHIONABLE AGAIN!  That is because a good straight shave makes you feel cleaner, closer, and actually cheaper in the longrun!  You may get some damaged old razors through some of these people, but remember that allot of sellers know nothing about shaving with them.  It is just a way of making money.  Don't be a yuppie wussy and leave bad feedback.  Most sellers will either return your money or read the fine print that they offer no refunds or exchanges.  For  the money you invest, the shipping alone can destroy a razor even if it is packed well.  (Deliverers will place a 20 pound package on top of yours even if it is marked fragile).  Another thing that you must do is master the shaving around rounder areas of the chin and throat.  This is easy as I mastered it when I was a baby faced boy!  Don't add extra pressure if it does not feel close.  either you blade needs sharpening or you can go over it again.  Another thing that is to master is the art of mixing you shave soap.  To thick and it will dry up on your face.  To thin and it will offer little protection.  I measure it by when my brush will stand up a little in the mix.  (Another good trick is to put a few drops of your favorite cologne on the soap before you mix it.)  It gives you a great feeling and you don't leave a vapor trail so that everybody knows that you have been in a room twenty minutes after you have left! :-)   How much does all this cost and what is the right razor for you?  Well it is cheaper than a safety razor with 5 blades, a battery, a light, and a compass built into the handle!  You spend more on blades for a safety razor in a couple of months than you do on most of your initial investment.

Equipment:

     You will need the razor , a couple of good strops or razor straps as my father called them when he threatened to punish me. :-)  You will also need shaving soap, (I like Burma Shave or goats milk rum soap like you can find on youngrazorcompany.com or his wifes sight that has excellent products for not allot of money or shipping).  shipping is something that you should look at or ask the seller about.  Many sellers will bid out a razor for 99 cents and then charge you $10.00 in shipping.  (Priority only will cost you a little over four dollars). A shaving mug can be any good wide coffee cup or small canning jar.  But, you can buy one for a nominal fee also.  You will also need a brush.  Boars hair, Badger Hair, or even the two dollar brush that you can buy at Walgreens.  If you know how to shave, you can use a paint brush and do it good!  But you may want a longer lasting , more durable brush that you can get on eBay or a cutlery store. You will also need strop dressing, (I use the old fashioned kind, but they sell diamond paste for big money for the sharpening impaired.)  You will also need a good hone.  A hone is not used that often as a leather strop will sharpen the blade for a good while as long as you don't drop your razor or cut down trees, etc.  I would recomend staying away from Japanese or Pakistan razors as they are machined with cheap steal and if you have not been doing this for years, you will not get a good edge out of them.  You dn't have to get an expensive razor either.  I have some.  I bought them overseas for pennies on the dollar and see them sell on eBay for between $40.00 to $250.00.  In the U.S., there is a company called Young Razor Company.  Some people complain about the U.S. carbon steel.  But if you take your time, for $19.00 you can get a three rivet handle gold washed razor that will shave nice and close.  You can also get a Bengal Cut Throat on eBay for about the same price if you buy from the Australian dealers.  (You see, people buy razors on eBay, then you see the same one for sale later for a higher price, and again for even more.)   Young Razor Company (found on eBay) has everything that you need for a good price.  Am I affiliated with that company you may ask?  No.  I just bought a razor from there website and ended up buying 8 more because I liked them for everyday use and  enjoy there products! They have an eBay store also. 

Sharpening:

     A good high numbered (1000 or above), strop with Solingen Brown and Black sticks in the package  (Brown for the courser strop and black for polishing the edge), is what most of us old timers use.  However you may want to invest $23.00 a tube for different micron diamond past. (1.0, .50, .25, etc).  This is for the "sharpening impaired" and easy to use.  A good wet stone is also a must.  Stropping will last only so long, then you will have to use the stone to get a clean edge.  Run the blade towards the back, laying it flat on the stone and the strops.  Use equal amount of strokes.  I use about 7 per grit. Keep the razor clean after every change in sharpening objects.  You can add a higher grit to the strops, but never a lower.  contrary to belief, a strop can be cleaned with a pumice stone.  Then you can change the grit of your strop paste.  German and Austrian soap stones are an added plus to sharpening.  I use three different grit stones, three different density soap stones, and three different strop hide grades.  I go by when the metal sings to you that it is sharpened enough.  Others us the wet finger method or shave a few hairs off their arms.  This becomes relaxing at times, especially if you have many razors.  All this is available one Ebay or any good cutlery store.

About Myself:

    I spend allot of time outdoors and shave by creeks or out of canteens.  I see some of these hot shots writing about putting your blade under a microscope to see how the edge looks.  Paleeeze!  When these razors sold for a dollar or two, You sharpened it in the field and stropped it on a community strop hanging from a tree or a beam!  Yes, I have fine DOVO's and Double Duck Razors that I bought for a few dollars overseas, but I can get just as close of a shave with a cheaper razor.  (As you may see, my favorite is a Bengals that I may have paid $11.00 for and got a new looking razor with a crappy box.  I keep mine in leather pouches anyway that I can throw on a horse or on the back of one of my Harley's.  I say forget these EXPERTS!  (Ex as in former, spurt as in drip). They write blogs to get you to spend on things that you don't need or that are marked up too high, or there 5 years of experience looking at a microscope to see if there are any Nano-Nicks in the blade!   Like I said, it's not Rocket Science, just simple shaving!  I know they read this and will try to bash everything that I have written.  But once you get comfortable shaving with a straight razor, you will know what you want and need for your lifestyle.  I'm just an old cowboy, but in my opinion, there are people that buy stuff to actually shave,  There are collectors. And there are men that shave!  

Finally:

     Shaving with a straight razor is a clean shaven feeling. Back to basics.  Now it is catching on as a fad and a quick way to make a dollar.  Shave like a man.  Buy some old fashioned Florida Water or Clubman products at Walgreens.  You feel and smell like you just walked out of a barber shop.  The old fashioned kind where you had all men sitting around reading Field and Stream and everyone that caught a whiff of you took another smell because you smelt clean and looked good.  Your lady will love you for it!  And as a note, shaving with a straight razor keeps your face looking younger because you are working muscles that you normally do not work in your face.  I'm 54 years of age  and shaved with a straight all my life like I said.  Many people think that I am in my mid 30's and I have even been asked to prove my age with identification!  Same with most of the other people that I know that grew up using a straight razor or as they call it now, "Wet Shaving"!  Hell, I have even used a good hunting knife with an edge and shaved clean before!  Most all of the stuff you will need is on eBay and can be bought cheap.  Make sure that you read the listing completely! If you spend a minimal amount of money, and you find a chip in the bone, bakelite, or plastic handle, just deal with it.  It is not worth ruining someone's feedback because they wre not familiar with traight razors or you didn't read the listing!  Just buy a new one.  for the money that youneed to spend to shave, it is affordable.  Of all the razors that I have purchased on eBay, I have gotten two that were damaged in shipping.  I'm sure that you will enjoy this as men have for hundreds of years!  As I said, some Rocket Scientist might not like my article, but I wear jeans and cowboy boots and have always been called, "clean cut and good smelling"!  Even by my horse! :-)

Thanks,

Josey