Thread: Newbie

Hey everyone I'm relatively new to straight razor shaving and I bought a cheap razor, Gold Dollar, I have honed it to a pretty fine edge and it passes the hht on my leg hair but not on my finner arm hair, can this razor be honed to shave readiness because I can't get it to pass the hht on my arms.

Welcome to SRP!
Gold Dollar razors are notorious for being difficult to get working correctly. A professional honer that is willing to work on it, may be able to fix it.
Or buy a known good razor from classifieds on this site, a cheap one from whippeddog.com, or a new one from one of the vendors on this site.

Definitely read through the beginner's section in the Library, it will answer a lot of your questions. If you have any questions, feel free to ask this knowledgeable, helpful group.

The hht is really a subjective test,the true test is to actually shave the razor.. The gold dollar is very capable of taking a good edge.. Did you set your bevel? How do you know the bevel is set?if you send it to me pay shipping both ways.. I'll b more than willing to hone it for you free of charge.. I actually did this for another noob two days ago..http://straightrazorpalace.com/honin...llar-edge.html

Thanks for the offer Airportcopper but I want to feel that send of accomplishment from shaving with a razor I honed. If you could give me some tips on how you would go about honing it that would be much appreciated. If after trying and failing to get it shave ready I'll send it up to you to get honed.

What hones do you have first of all? Pm me

I too bought a straight (cheap one) and tried to shave with it, tried to hone it, and came here looking for someone to send it to to hone. Mine turned out to be a dud. I ended up buying a razor from a fellow member and have been shaving with it ever since.

Don't be afraid to buy from a member here or take one up on their offers. Everyone I've dealt with has been a great help.

Make sure to checkout the whole prep ritual and use a good soap when you try to actually shave.

I have one razor that was sold as shave ready and will shave arm hair but was hell on the face. I didn't try a hht, but did the shave test, and continue to do it after stropping the razor, have to say it makes a difference each time I strop it gets better. I think it still needs a pass on a good finish hone, but I'm working it best I know how. Only one way to learn, right.

Good luck and welcome to the forum.

Hi and welcome. The first question to do with the Gold Dollar is have you inspected it for problems with geometry, grind , the shoulders etc and if there are problems did you fix them. Are you already shaving with a straight or is this your first. Many hone a first razor only to find out later that what you think is shave ready wasn't. If you want to use it send it out or get a second pro honed razor for a benchmark other wise you will never know if it is really honed properly. Good luck and any questions feel free to ask

My offer still stands..u need to know what a true shave ready feels like first.. then u know what you have to replicate

Only problem with that is you won't know if itS really shave ready because you don't even know how to shave yet. Start with an edge that's right to start with ., and Gold Dollars are crap,shoots , take up airport coppers offer , that way if it can be done you will have something to learn with ,, Or don't , and never know what sharp is. Tc

Kayl is actually the son I mentioned that will spend the next year honing this Gold Dollar until it's either shave ready or he has honed it down to a handsome toothpick. Fortunately I have a shave ready Dovo and Hornet that we can use as a good standard of what shave ready feels like. So I +1 his zeal. We're both picking up some very good information and experience.