Hi Forum, my name is ManOfCedar and I'm new here. I recently purchased a Dovo Natural straight razor along with a paddle strop and green paste. The person where I bought the knife told me that it was shave ready and that I would only have to use the paddle strop and paste to get it sharp again. My grandfather had taught me how to shave with a straight razor so I'm not a complete newbie on how to use it with proper care. I am, however, a newbie on how I can get it to be razor sharp (which it is far from). So, can you guys please tell me what type of equipment I need to get my razor shaving sharp? I think it's to the the point where I need to take a stone to it as the paddle strop doesn't seem to be doing anything. I am looking at buying 1 or 2 japanese combination stones but I'm not sure what grits to get or, whether or not the Japanese stones are correct for the job. I also have no idea how to use the strop with the green paste. Basically, it is a small white tube with a little green band on it that you put on the leather of the strop (according to the store clerk which really didn't seem to know what he was talking about and had a poor attitiude). Can you guys help me please? It would mean the world to me as I really want to shave with this razor.
Hi! Welcome to the Den. Be sure to sign up for our November Newbie Give-Away. As for sharpening your razor ---> *click here* some great info. If you're reluctant to do it yourself (as I am), Glen aka gssixgun here at TSD has done work for me and many others here - great guy! I have no doubt a few others will be along to shaver their expertise. There's plenty of folks here who know what their doin' and are more than happy to share their knowledge.
If it's not sharp, I'm afraid that paddle and paste won't get it there. Those are really only for maintaining an edge that's already sharp. Honing takes a fair amount of time to learn and the initial cost will probably be pretty close to what you paid for the razor and maybe even quite a bit more. So If I may suggest sending your razor out for honing, it has several advantages for a newbie. One of the most important is you'll have a good edge so you'll know what one feels like. That way, when you start honing, you'll know what your trying to get to. Also, it's not that expensive compared to buying all the gear you'll need to start honing.
I only maintain my Dovo Natural with a Barber's Hone and a pasted balsa. You use the paste in the same way you strop on leather, leading with the spine. You don't want to put the paste on your good strop, you'll need a seperate strop for that or you can put it on the back of the linen if your strop comes with that component. If you already know how to properly set a bevel and hone your razor, you can get whatever brand you want along with the lapping stone at Straight Razor Designs. If you've never honed before I suggest sending your razor to Lynn and have him get it up and running or Glen aka "gssixgun". Glen has website called Gemstar Customs and will answer any questions you might have on honing and what stones to get. He also has a bunch of videos available that are a big help.
Hi guys! Thanks for your great advice! One problem I have with sending it out would be that the shipping will most likely be pretty expensive as I live in France and I'm guessing most of you live in the US? Just an assumption. Also, I really really want to learn how to hone my own blade, even if I get an old one just to learn (got to learn somewhere). Any advice on honing? I'm looking at the link that Swarden43 provided, but do any of you have any personal advice as well?
France huh, I didn't see that one coming! There's a popular fellow in England that specializes in Coticule honing, but I can't remember his name at the moment. I would definately do some Googling for some European vendors and see what equipment they offer. Your right on about the old scrap vintage to learn on though.
In the EU you want to contact Neil Miller, Jamie aka Celticcrsaders, or possibly Brinando over at SRP I am pretty sure they also have TSD accounts under the same names, so you might check that also... All three of them know their way around hones, there is also a French based SR group here http://rasoircoupechoux.forumgratuit.org/ that might have some Honemeisters in there Hope that gets you headed down the path to some smooth shaves Welcome to TSD
Some other info for you... The green paste you are referring to is made for Dovo, and is the most aggressive of their series Green = 5-8 Micron Red = 3-5 Micron Black = 1-3 Micron Dovo pastes tend to be rather mild when compared to other types of pastes in the same micron levels, I have found them to work best on Leather Bench Strops or Paddle strops myself but YMMV In the EU the Naniwa Super Stones are the easiest to find.. 1k for bevel sets 3k or 5k for sharpening 8k for polishing 12k for a finisher if you so chose This setup will hone any razor you might come across and do quite well once the hands are trained.. Google "gssixgun naniwa honing" and you will find several vids on there, the one I highly recommend is the one with Mark aka Speedster as it gives a ton of hints for a new guy to honing rather then just watching me hone.. Hope that answered the rest of the questions if not just ask away Edit: Just occurred to me, the Henckels series of Waterstones might be available to you easily also they are 250/1k and 3k/8k they are Naniwa SS also just in a different color and are both combos so it might save some money especially if you can snag them locally in a knife shop
There is a razor maker in France. He might hone as well or could give you some leads. http://www.alisblade.com/index.php
