Thread: I wish to be able to shave my face vaguely comfortably, with a blade

Never mind. This guy in the video currently has the honor of replacing Chuck Norris's name in all Chuck Norris joke. However, if you would still like that honor, either 1) dry shave with a hatchet, or 2) shave in any manner you'd like with a lawn mower blade.

"Chicks" Dig Scars

spanky, your not going to show us your wart transplant are you ?

Thanks all for taking the time to reply.

Originally Posted by MattCB

investigate how to strop and stropping compounds.

Originally Posted by criswilson10

Can you shave with a kitchen knife? Why would you want to???
I highly suggest that you send the straight razor out for sharpening.

I realise my questions and preferences are unusual, but the reason they are such, is because I try to do things self sustainably. Hence 'dry' shave or with soap (that I can make). As far as I'm aware, I do not have the materials available to make stropping compounds, and sending a blade to somewhere else isn't what I am after.
If it means I have to grow a beard, or cut my beard with scissors (which I have done - it takes a long time), then so be it, but I'm investigating other means also. That's how I learn.
It seems that most peoples goal here is to get a comfortable luxurious shave, usually not leading them in the direction of trying to get any blade other than a razor to shave their face. I suspect therefore that the expertise here is more in the direction of higher grits than what I am asking. I assumed that expertise transfers to lower grits and different blades also.
Surely you guys sharpen other things than straight razors? And surely you tested them by shaving your face.

It seems like the conclusion is for me to get an 8k stone (first), then hone every blade again. Upon that failing, then getting a straight razor.
I ask again - do you think a beginner like me will get a vaguely comfortable shave from a straight razor and a 8k stone? Or am I looking at months/years of practice.

But before that happens, I'll try every other blade in the house, including my axes, and i'll try my best to get more accute bevels.

The guy with the axe in the video doesn't look in pain, but shaving with the weight of the axe doesn't look as masculine as one would think.
Is this guy from the forums? It would be interesting to know what grit he used to achieve this.

Together with the lower grit stone that you may own already, I consider an 8000 grit stone the minimum requirement. The pyramid honing method may provide acceptable results in this case.
Razors honed with coarser stones will not provide smooth shaves.

Dry shaving is unlikely to produce comfortable close shaves.

Blades used for shaving need to be honed to a higher standard than kitchen knives and should not be used for any other purpose, which would dull the blade.
As it should be a dedicated blade for the shave it makes sense to buy a straight razor, the shape of which has evolved over 200 years and that is (ergonomically) optimized for the purpose.

There is a reason for the existence of shaving soaps/creams, but if you do not want to use either, you could try facial soap (in the absence of an alternative, I have shaved with Valobra facial soap before) or - after thoroughly softening your face with warm water - a light (massage/skin/shaving) oil applied on a dry face.

All these things are possible, but they all will diminish the quality of the shave.


Lastly, shaving requires skills that need to be learned and practiced.
For most straight shavers it took up to 100 shaves to come close to their final shaving performance.


With what you set out to do, you may be able to get an adequate shave with sufficient practice, even if the shave - due to the limitations imposed by you - will fall short of what most of us here are attempting to achieve.






B.

The title of this post is exactly why there are soaps and razors. I don't understand the devolution attraction. Hell, if the whole quest is to remove facial hair. Why screw up a good knife chasing unicorns? Grab a flaming branch and get 'er done!

Originally Posted by beluga

Together with the lower grit stone that you may own already, I consider an 8000 grit stone the minimum requirement. The pyramid honing method may provide acceptable results in this case.
Razors honed with coarser stones will not provide smooth shaves.

Dry shaving is unlikely to produce comfortable close shaves.

Blades used for shaving need to be honed to a higher standard than kitchen knives and should not be used for any other purpose, which would dull the blade.
As it should be a dedicated blade for the shave it makes sense to buy a straight razor, the shape of which has evolved over 200 years and that is (ergonomically) optimized for the purpose.

There is a reason for the existence of shaving soaps/creams, but if you do not want to use either, you could try facial soap (in the absence of an alternative, I have shaved with Valobra facial soap before) or - after thoroughly softening your face with warm water - a light (massage/skin/shaving) oil applied on a dry face.

All these things are possible, but the all will diminish the quality of the shave.


Lastly, shaving requires skills that need to be learned and practiced.
For most straight shavers it took up to 100 shaves to come close to their final shaving performance.


With what you set out to do, you may be able to get an adequate shave with sufficient practice, even if the shave - due to the limitations imposed by you - will fall sort of what most of us here are attempting to achieve.






B.

Very nicely put. Personally I just don't think it would be worth the effort for the likely sub par end result of a poor shave. Growing a beard would be an excellent way to avoid wasting your time. If you want to put that kind of time and energy into it go with learning to use a straight razor.

Bob

As far as the homemade soap goes a few of us have made our own shaving soap. My attempt is documented here http://straightrazorpalace.com/soaps...rs-giants.html. Any type of Lye can be used, you just have to be a bit pickier for the oils/fats.

While you may not have access to "homemade" polishing compounds you HAVE to get a strop of some sort. This can be folder newspaper, an old wide leather belt, or an old seatbelt. There are many posts on the forum about alternatives.

If you get an 8K stone you will be fine. Many people shave just fine from a an 8K.

Best of luck

Originally Posted by Blunt

Surely you guys sharpen other things than straight razors? And surely you tested them by shaving your face.

No.

You have an axe to take out trees. You have kitchen knives to prepare food. You have hunting knives for field dressing. I would not use an axe to prepare dinner or a kitchen knive to dress a deer. I use a razor for my face.

I realise you are specialists, and what I am trying to achieve is relatively low level quality.

Therefore I appreciate you humouring me and taking the time to reply.

I will definitely attempt the homemade face soap at a later date. MattCB: your level of investigation and experimentation evidenced in that link is inspiring.

I wish you all, all the best.