[EddyP73]

Hello,
I am new to things here trying to learn. I am looking at get a couple different cheapy razors of e-bay and just kinda go with and see what I get. I eventually wish to aquire a nice razor and spend a little for it but until I know more and find out what I like I am afraid to go spending that kind of money.
One thing that will help is learning what things mean, and what that translates to in use.
I am sure that a lot of this stuff is simple (Dude you're like so dumb) meanings but I need to know to better follow some of the posts here:

1) Honing vise stroping. My understanding is you strop regularly even while using and honing is when you have to renew the edge of the blade every once in a while.
2) All these fractions; 5/8, 11/16 ... etc. -Is that width of the blade? What does that change?
3) Blade lengths; 3", 5", 5 1/4"... - What does that change? There was a thread on here where someone prefered a 3" saying that it cut thier skin less. ???
4) Rounded edge vise pointed or squared? -I understand the meaning of what it IS. But what is the difference in PERFORMANCE.
5) differend lengths of strops. Is one length better than another? Is one type or style better than another? why do you see some for $20 some $50 some $100. my guess would be a better grade of leather but does it make a difference or is it worth the more money? Is it a 'you get what you pay for' thing?
6) Grind? Hollow gind?

Well I guess that is enough questions for now. Any responses are GREATLY appreciated. Have a good NICK FREE day.

[gugi]

Hi, welcome to SRP.
Check the sticky post in the top of this section - the wiki already has a lot of answers to your questions.

Originally Posted by EddyP73

Hello,
1) Honing vise stroping. My understanding is you strop regularly even while using and honing is when you have to renew the edge of the blade every once in a while.
yes, you strop between shaves and hone when the razor needs sharpening
2) All these fractions; 5/8, 11/16 ... etc. -Is that width of the blade? What does that change?
yes that's the width of the blade in inches - correlates with how heavy the razor is, also while shaving wider blades could hold more lather before you need to wipe/rinse it off.
3) Blade lengths; 3", 5", 5 1/4"... - What does that change? There was a thread on here where someone prefered a 3" saying that it cut thier skin less. ???
Most are 2.75", personally I'd be weary of using a 5" blade.
4) Rounded edge vise pointed or squared? -I understand the meaning of what it IS. But what is the difference in PERFORMANCE.
the pointy ones allow for better precision when you want to cut single hairs
5) differend lengths of strops. Is one length better than another? Is one type or style better than another? why do you see some for $20 some $50 some $100. my guess would be a better grade of leather but does it make a difference or is it worth the more money? Is it a 'you get what you pay for' thing?
the length is a matter of preference. at the same vendor the price will generally correspond to the cost of materials and labor. there are differences between vendors.
6) Grind? Hollow gind?
the amount of metal that's removed from the sides of the blade.

[Bart]

As usual, Gugi provided fine and clear answers.
I would like to elaborate a little.
Originally Posted by EddyP73
Hello,
1) Honing vise stroping. My understanding is you strop regularly even while using and honing is when you have to renew the edge of the blade every once in a while.
yes, you strop between shaves and hone when the razor needs sharpening
Best is to strop right BEFORE each shave.
2) All these fractions; 5/8, 11/16 ... etc. -Is that width of the blade? What does that change?
yes that's the width of the blade in inches - correlates with how heavy the razor is, also while shaving wider blades could hold more lather before you need to wipe/rinse it off.
3) Blade lengths; 3", 5", 5 1/4"... - What does that change? There was a thread on here where someone prefered a 3" saying that it cut thier skin less. ???
Most are 2.75", personally I'd be weary of using a 5" blade.
4) Rounded edge vise pointed or squared? -I understand the meaning of what it IS. But what is the difference in PERFORMANCE.
the pointy ones allow for better precision when you want to cut single hairs
Very true, but for a newbie it may be important to add that a true spike point poses a present danger of digging the point into the skin, when not paying proper attention. This leaves much nastier cuts than an occasional small nick. It's safer to start out with a round point.
5) differend lengths of strops. Is one length better than another? Is one type or style better than another? why do you see some for $20 some $50 some $100. my guess would be a better grade of leather but does it make a difference or is it worth the more money? Is it a 'you get what you pay for' thing?
the length is a matter of preference. at the same vendor the price will generally correspond to the cost of materials and labor. there are differences between vendors.
It's important that a strop doesn't cup, 'cause this interferes with good stropping. Wider and longer strops are more prone to cupping, hence a good wide and long strop has its price. A small and short strop can get the job done just the same. While learning the skill, most people accidentally make cuts in their strop. It's best to postpone the purchase of an expensive luxurious strop till you really mastered it. It might easily take a year before you can strop completely "nick-free". Almost completely, that is.
6) Grind? Hollow gind?
the amount of metal that's removed from the sides of the blade.
The first folding-style straight razors had the profile of a narrow triangle. We still call them "a wedge" today. Later on, manufacturers started to grind the sides of the blade down with a round wheel, in order to make the blade hollow, which allows for easier sharpening, cause only steel needs to be removed from the spine and the far side of the edge during honing. Such a thin blade also gives another feel, and auditive feedback(!) during the shave. It became a bit of an historical hype to make a blade as thin as possible. 1/4 hollow, 3/4 hollow and full hollow are designations that often occur. It depends on personal preference what someone likes best. Actually finding that out is part of the fun of straight razor shaving. People with coarser beards often find that they benefit form a stiffer grind (1/4 hollow, or even a wedge). Weight of the blade, a result of the grind together with the size, also affects the way a razor behaves on the face.

Best regards,
Bart.

[EddyP73]

Thanks guys for your feed back. As I have had time I HAVE been reading that Sticky thread. A LOT of good info there. Still lookin' for a razor though. There is an "Art of Shaving" store near me. They want $105 for thier cheapy and $200 and $250 for thier better ones. I was thinking about going with them 'cause then they can give me a lot of first hand pointers. -so far however, I have tried to go about it a cheaper way to get my feet wet. .... Where am I now? -I still don't have anything yet. LOL

[hoglahoo]

Here's a crude diagram that graphically answers a couple of the questions you had. Sometimes a visual helps

[hoglahoo]

Originally Posted by EddyP73

Thanks guys for your feed back. As I have had time I HAVE been reading that Sticky thread. A LOT of good info there. Still lookin' for a razor though. There is an "Art of Shaving" store near me. They want $105 for thier cheapy and $200 and $250 for thier better ones. I was thinking about going with them 'cause then they can give me a lot of first hand pointers. -so far however, I have tried to go about it a cheaper way to get my feet wet. .... Where am I now? -I still don't have anything yet. LOL

Kenrup the SRP member sells beginning set ups. And I am pretty sure he sells razor and strop combinations for $65 or so. You may want to contact him. Here's his forum ad
There are others who sell similar kits, and inexpensive but quality strops and razors. Have a look around the Vendor's section