Quote Originally Posted by jprlauwers View Post
Hi all,

First, I must say this is a great forum. Lots of usefull advice.
Now to my issue: I bought a straight razor from a local knife shop, where they also hone. According to the owner, the razor was shave-ready. When I tried it at home, after doing the necessary prep steps, I could hear this grinding noise as I shaved. Managed to almost cut part of my ear as well! The straight rasor is a Dovo.
I then received a starting pack from Classic Edge. Now that razor felt much better, less grinding noise. I used it a few weeks, sinice beginning of January, but am not completely satisfied. I still get better results with my safety razor, closer shave, less irritation of the skin. I also think I screwed up the edge of the Classic Edge razor, because during the last few strops I did over the weekend, there was a really loud grinding noise. The strop is also nearly ruined I guess.
Next issue is making a good lather using shaving soap. I have no problems making a good lather using shaving cream, but when I use soap, is just dries too quickly on the face and hardly covers the skin.
Suggestions?

Jan
Belgium
Hi Jan - this may seem a strange thing to say, but after awhile, you won't be able to believe you ever knew how not to shave with a straight, prep and all the other things that come with this.

I wouldn't change or give away each and every aspect of learning this. From screwing up my first razor by trying to clean it with Brasso and lemon juice, to melting an entire puck of Col Conk in my Classic Edge scuttle, to learning that extra-hollow ground meant, "I will cut you NOW"!

Don't rush it, embrace the RAD when it comes, that's half the fun, and enjoy the journey, because in a lot of way's, you never stop learning...so don't get discouraged, it will all come together and then something else will pop up...we'll leave honing, and the various other pursuits of acquiring different soaps, strops, hones, and brushes until later!!