Thread: Closeness of shave increasing???

I think the hair under the skin would shorten as well as it dried.

Originally Posted by steve

I actually have learned to shave and walk away from the mirror instead of examining my face too much because right after the shave, my face doesn't look smooth and it feels a little rough. About 5 minutes later, everything is nice and smooth and purdy.

I do the same...just walk away and take a look in 10 minutes. I think it has to do with the hair retracting and pores closing. I use an alum block which for me makes a significant difference on how my face looks say a half hour after i shave.

JR

I have asked a few times about these pastes but nobody else seems to use them. I have used them, but as I have no other pastes as a comparison I guess my opinion isn't particularly useful.
After the 8k i use the red, which I am not sure is the right thing, as some people have said that red paste is coarser than then 8k. I didn't notice a great improvment anyway. The black paste I do use regularly, as it is the only way I can get my razor sharp enough for a comfortable shave. Apparently it is graphite based and somewhere I read that it is 1 micron but don't quote me on that. I find it does help my edge, but I will certainly be looking at Tony's pasted strops in the summer as I can't help but feel it is a little insufficient. It is also messy and difficult to store without it melting.
Have you used the pastes yet? What did you find if you did?

Nick

Hi Nick

I already wrote this post and realised reading it back that its controversial. I am only expressing my opinion and findings so far - and I am very much still in the noob section so bare with me.

I have the red and the black on hanging strops, and I use the red after the coticule for enough passes that it starts to draw (normally only a handful or so) then I move to the black until the same thing happens (usually 10-15). Knowing when the draw happens is the key I think - at first it feels oddly rough, but as you work the blade through it starts to stick - much like it does with a hone.

As for what they are, I beleive that the black is an ash compound, and a really tight polish, the red is an unknown quantity - but who cares it works! It seems to me that its about the same cut as the coticule, but because its on a hanging strop it has a more polishing action then a cutting action.

I do not use nortons, as I want to use natural stones. Speed and fast cutting are things that I actually do not want. I think that the natural stones are much more suited to razor work as they apppear not to allow overhoned positions to be reached. Yes - they are more work. On the other hand, I am not honing 20-30 razors a day.

Just to note, I have not used this blade since. Somewhat controversially, I have decided that this blade is too thin, and that my coarse beard needs something thicker. I know that there are folks who will say that a 3/8s will shave just as well as a 8/8, but my experiences so far are that anything less then a 5/8s jumps and skips all over my face.

Cheers

Si

I think that if I could afford it I would be going the same route with the natural stones, unfortunately I started shaving with a budget!
Where did you hear about it being ash? I have looked for info on these pastes everywhere I can but couldn't find them anywhere. Does it appear on the german razor sites? Unfortunately my german is not polished enough for me to read effectively!
I have both pastes on hanging strops, but I would prefer them on a paddle. I'll keep using them as I am now until I can afford to exp[eriment with other options as they are still improving my shave.
As for the razor size, I also find that 5/8 is the minimum size I find comfortable. It seems easier to get and angle and the blade is heavy enough for the stroke to be smooth. When I use a 4/8, it doesn't seem to balance well in my hand, and struggles to push through the stubble and therefore skips. I guess the edge is just as good, it just requires a different technique to handle effectively. I'm sure that everybody has a 'comfort zone' with razor size in mind, I am not sure what my upper limit in size is yet though.
Nick