Should I stay with my King razor or get something better?

[AbelG]

Hi guys. I'm back after several years hiatus. I have a Boker King razor that I got for about $100 ( straight razor for all requirements - BOKER Solingen, Germany ) when I first started a while back but I eventually gave up because I couldn't maintain the edge sharp enough for a comfortable shave. I practiced and practiced with my spyderco ultra fine ( Amazon.com: Spyderco Ultra Fine Benchstone with Pouch, 3 X 8 -Inch: Sports & Outdoors ) but the shave always hurt and the razor pulled (watched many youtube videos about how to hone a straight razor). It could be that my beard is very course and thick with lots of red which I hear contains more iron and could be contributing to the painful shave.


So I've thought about it long enough and I'm ready to give it a second chance because I find it hard to believe that I'm just not cut out for this sort of thing. I like honing and have the patience for it. I may not have a really great strop, but it is real leather. Hopefully you guys can shed some light on what exactly it is that I need to do. Do I need a new razor? New stones? New strop? All three? My budget is $250. Is that enough for what I'm want? There is some wiggle room if necessary.


If there is any other information, let me know. I'm very thankful for this forum with all the years of experience here.


Regards, Abel

[bouschie]

My first suggestion would be to have the razor professionally honed to see if there is a difference. If there is then you mar need different stones. If you have it honed try it without stropping. If OK then strop next time. If not OK it could be your stropping method. Good luck.

[edhewitt]

If it got hot, the temper of the blade might be stuffed, you may need a new razor. Make sure that whoever you send it to knows this bit of the razors life, they might be able to advise you.

[Razorfeld]

AbelG, since you are in Houston contact Sharptonn (Tom Whittlesey). Very knowledgeable, hosts mini meets on a regular basis, knows good honers and is a collector of these beauties we love to play with.

[engine46]

AbelG, I'm very sorry the guy used a belt sander on your razor & I hope he didn't ruin it. I hope you have more than one razor. I live in the Houston area. Sugar Land is in the Southwest part of Houston off Southwest Freeway & Hwy 6. What part of Houston do you live?

[MJC]

We all cringed at your story....

As noted above, reach out to one of the Mentors in your area.
The difference between the path of frustration and the one to success is often just a little bit of knowledge and coaching, and it is near at hand.

Good luck and Smooth shaving in your very near future...

[edhewitt]

Hi, I am not sure as I can't see the info, but i would wager that the spyderco stone isn't more than about 3000 grit, and hasn't been lapped flat.
My suggestion would be to get some of the more conventional razor hones like Norton or naniwa that are commonly used by members here.
Bouchie's suggestion of getting a professional hone job is probably your best starting point though. Once you have a benchmark, with a bit of practice you should be able to maintain the razor with a finishing stone assuming you don't damage the edge or let it go for too long.

Edit - I just read that the spyderco stone Is 4-6k so it is a good job I didn't put money down, however it is probably still a bit coarse for shaving straight off of.

[AbelG]

Alright, thanks to both of you. I'll go along with the suggestion of getting it honed professionally. If the shave is smooth, then I'll have to get a new stone I'm sure. I just can't handle the pain of a shave that pulls. Pretty bad luck with DNA that I get sensitive skin and a course beard...

[criswilson10]

Go with a professional hone. Then maintain it with a CrOx pasted strop when it tugs and a 12k or 20k water stone when the CrOx stops working. After a few months you may need to touch up with an 8K stone. If you ding the blade, you can work the ding out with the spider co or reset the bevel.

[cosperryan]

My beard is red when it grows out and I have some sensitive skin especially on the neck. I don't have a boker but they seem to be quality razors from what I have seen. My first shaves sucked as well but with practice it all became clear. Light pressure is key too. Get that razor pro honed and then get a nice finishing stone for maintenance like a naniwa 12k. If you feel like you need a nicer or newer strop just go to tandy leather and get a 3x50 strip of the European cow leather and get some leather conditioner. You then have enough leather for 3 strops for the price of 1 nice one. That's what I use.oh and you can try shaving every few days instead of every day. That has helped me a tremendous amount.

One other trick I have used is to use some kind of face cleanser with the salicylic acid as the active ingredient. Use that to wash you face and let it sit for 30 seconds or so and then wash you face and proceed as normal. It seems to strip all the grease from the hair follicles and thus letting more water soak in to the hairs. In fact that's probably the number one thing that has made my shaves better. That and a good soap. I use bath and body works mac root shave cream.

Good luck man.