this post was submitted on 03 Jul 2023
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WetShaving

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This is a community of enthusiasts, hobbyists and artisans who enjoy a traditional wet shave: brush, soap, and safety or straight razor. We are a part of the WetShaving community found on Reddit, Discord, and IRC.

New subscribers welcome!

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This is the place to ask beginner and simple questions. Some examples include:

• Soap, scent, or gear recommendations • Favorite scents, bases, etc • Where to buy certain items • Identification of a razor you just bought • Troubleshooting shaving issues such as cuts, poor lather, and technique

Please note these are examples and any questions for the sub should be posted here.

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (7 children)

I got myself a beautiful Thiers Issard straight razor from eBay. It's in great shape, but I don't know anything about the prior owner. What are the best options for sterilizing this thing? Will simply rubbing it down with alcohol do the job, or does it need a prolonged bath in alcohol?

Also, what would your approach be to using it? Try the minimal intervention (stropping ), and then try it? Or would you take it to the stones before doing anything?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

My post here talks through what's needed.

https://www.reddit.com/r/wicked_edge/comments/14qrvf6/comment/jqp4jmd/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

Presuming you picked something up that needs sharpening (unless you got a lot of luck and chose a particular rare ebay seller, it will need sharpening), that's your first step, mail to a pro to sharpen it. Stropping will not make a straight razor sharper, it simply aligns the microscopic metal frill at the apex. Sharpening requires steel removal, not just alignment.

Post some pictures and more details!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Thanks for your reply and the link!

The blade was in really good shape, but after giving it a soak in alcohol, I tried it on my arm, but no joy there. I thought I would give it a try to sharpen it myself on a Shapton 12k. It turned out alright, and I shaved with it yesterday evening - good enough for me!

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