Thread: My disastrous first shave.

Thanks again Kev, you always seem to reply in detail to my posts

FYI I just emailed larry at whipped dog, ordered a sight-unseen razor, was only around $40, and the poor mans strop, I thought I may try first with that, just in case I drop it or something stupid. I figure I will also use that blade eventually to learn to hone. I also have the ralph aust kit on order with SRD, which I will use after the first couple of tries with Larry's blade. Im guessing I have a high chance of screwing up the blade when I try my first hone, so I didnt want to ruin the ralph Aust, and I needed to order the poor mans strop anyway, so I dont ruin the english bridle from SRD.

You'll have to let me buy you a beer sometime, when Im next up north.

Andrew

Originally Posted by AndrewJM

Why do paddle stops cut down the learning curve?

Because they don't flex. There is less chance of rounding the blade or so the theory goes

Interesting comment about the magnifying glass. Do others do this to inspect their blades after honing or stropping?

Sure do, its amazing to see the difference between each stage of honing , and also to check the bevel for damage etc. a great tool indeed.


Thanks again Kev, you always seem to reply in detail to my posts

FYI I just emailed larry at whipped dog, ordered a sight-unseen razor, was only around $40, and the poor mans strop, I thought I may try first with that, just in case I drop it or something stupid. I figure I will also use that blade eventually to learn to hone. I also have the ralph aust kit on order with SRD, which I will use after the first couple of tries with Larry's blade. Im guessing I have a high chance of screwing up the blade when I try my first hone, so I didnt want to ruin the ralph Aust, and I needed to order the poor mans strop anyway, so I dont ruin the english bridle from SRD.

You'll have to let me buy you a beer sometime, when Im next up north.

Andrew

I answered a couple of your previous posts in red as I don't know how to multiple Quote yet…lol

Larrys blade will be a great start and like you say it will be good to learn to hone on as well. The Ralph Aust will be superb too.

It can't be denied there is a learning curve, but its enjoyable what ever happens. I dropped my whipped dog razor, It did have a wee bit of damage to the edge, but it was nothing I couldn't sore our with my 12K barbers hone, and my poor mans strop kit also from whipped dog. I used a 30X magnifier to check my work at all stages and I got away with it. It was a great learning curve and I enjoyed the adrenaline…lol

Keep an eye on the Aussie bit of the forum as I believe Mike is attempting to get a meet up sorted. We'll have a beer together then

Thanks again Kev Dont worry , I dont know how to multiple quote yet either (or even what that means lol). Im trying to be a part of this community and hope im not breaking any rules by posting where I shouldn't etc, its hard with so much info and so many posts here, to know if posting a new thread is ok or if there is already a thread going.

Im looking forward to the learning curve actually. All part of the fun in my opinion. Took me over 100 shoe shines, different products and techniques to get the art down perfectly, I reckon I can put a shine on a boot now as good as any soldier.