Inherited Dubl Duck specialist no.1 Pearlduck

Good Evening,

I'm sure I'm not the first to ask if my razor would take a long time to get shave ready, but I'm going to post anyways. Anyone with information would be greatly appreciated.
I have wanted to shave with a straight blade for a long time (looking into buying an Iwasaki Kamisori when I have time mostly because I see Japan as my second home and I love how they look). I haven't purchased one yet because I haven't had the extra money to purchase one yet.
My grandmother recently passed away and I inherited her fathers DublDuck Pearl duck straight razor and an old "Shell" strop. I just wanted to see if anyone here could tell me if the strop alone might be enough to get my blade shave ready? Any information would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!

P.s. I have watched a fair share of videos about how to properly strop it and feel very comfortable with that process. I will also be going to a place nearby that does straight blade shaves tomorrow to have him give it a good once-over as well.

 

Welcome to TSD.

Not a SR guy, yet, but having a barber check out your heirloom sounds like a good place to start.

Best of luck my friend. Plenty of good info here to help out on your journey. Enjoy!

 

Very nice looking SR you have there, btw.

 

Thanks! My grandpa didn't even know it was in the house and had no idea when it was made or anything. Do you by chance have any idea when these might have been made (or know who might?) At first I thought you meant you weren't a SR (senior) guy, but then I figured it out haha.

 

I've also read enough to recommend you get a practice strop. At least that way you can avoid nicking the heirloom strop while your learning. Whipped dog poor man's strop is a common recommendation.

Edit, I'd expect your strop will need some serious conditioning as well

 

That's also a good point! I will look into that strop. I just hope this strop is useable once I have the technique down

 

@HolyRollah

@gssixgun

That should cover it.

 

Hi there

and Welcome to the "Dark Side" as we like to call it

Couple of things, do not fold the strop like that it is very very bad for that very very good strop

That shell strop is highly sought after, it is going to need to be cleaned and conditioned, if you don't know how to do it don't attempt it until you are sure so you do not wreck it

The Razor is going to probably need to be honed, even if unused in a drawer the edges deteriorate over time unless very well cared for...

You have a very good set of tools there, they just need some TLC to get them up and running

 

Thanks for your reply! I will try and keep the strop straight and safe from here on out. When I found it, it was folded up in a box that was pulled out of the attic. Is there any special way to get it straight again? Also, do you know where I could go to have it cleaned and conditioned? (I looked it up and found out it is a Shell 3355)
Another question I had about it is that on the back strap it says "Strop Hone." Does this mean that the front and back have a different purpose?
I'm sure these are really newb questions, but I'm trying to pick up this learning curve as fast as possible
I've been watching videos about how to properly strop, hone, etc.
Am I also correct in thinking that it should probably cost around $20 to get my razor honed?
Thank you!!
And to maybe give you some enjoyment of answering all my not so fun questions, what is your favorite brand for shaving cream or soap?

 

Welcome to TSD!

 

Welcome to TSD

 

Welcome to TSD! Please sign up for the Newbie Give-Away HERE

 

Welcome to the den. That is an excellent razor and strop. You just need to get it honed.

 

Also going back to your first post, I would be very cautious about letting a "Barber" touch your razor UNLESS they actually use, strop, and hone Traditional SR's everyday (rather rare now-a-days) Most barbers today are clueless about Traditional SR's since the laws in most areas prohibit their use...

 

Your'e in luck as we have some members who can get your equipment in fine shape.
For your razor, contact/pm Glen here (gssixgun, above) or at Gemstarcustoms.com. Highly recommend for your honing needs.
For your strop, contact/ pm Adam (drygulch) here or at drygulchleather.com
Both are supporting vendors here at TSD.

You are fortunate to have inherited family heirloom quality pieces. The majority of us have to acquire via purchase.
I'd recommend some pros handling those valuable goods…

 

I second! Glen has taken care of all my str8s. And Adam has done some fine leather work for me.

 

I'll second that advice. Glenn at Gemstar Customs can hone your razor and get it back to you in no time and he will put a great edge on that razor. Adam at drygulch can help you out with anything needed to get that strop back in shape.

 

I would reply to all of you, but don't know how to do that without making my post 3 pages long!
Thank you all for your recommendations and I promise they will not fall on deaf ears. Thanks @gssixgun For answering all my questions and giving me your choice for soap and shave cream and everyone else for taking time to post here! It really is appreciated!
Also, I will make sure to keep my SR in my car when I go today until I talk to any barber or honing place I have found nearby. After making my post last night I read about how SR shaves are against the law to use... Big thumbs down.

I can tell from everyone's posts that I got really lucky to receive these heirlooms and I will make you guys proud. Luckily, there is no crease in my strop, just a light fold! I'm excited for when I get to experience my first shave! More than likely I will be contacting Glen and Adam if I can't find someone really close.

On that note, anyone know a good place to have a SR honed in/near San Francisco/So. San Francisco area or across the bay in Hayward, CA?

 

Oh, and I forgot to mention, Thank you @barbersurgeon for tagging and helping as well! can't forget the person who started it all haha

 

Awww..

Best of luck with everything, sounds like your in good hands and off to fine start getting shave ready!