Thread: Sensitivity issues

Originally Posted by Splashone

In the case of "stock" Gold Dollars, this is unlikely. rubbing it on the sidewalk wouldn't either. A properly configured and honed Gold Dollar can deliver a good shave though.

Yup, my assumption was that the OP's Gold Dollar was a "stock" Gold Dollar as there was no mention made of it being purchased shave ready. I did indicate that if it had a "factory edge" it might not be the greatest.

Bob

Euclid:
I bought it through Vintage Straight Razor, part of what they call "The Shaving Network", and it does come with a free honing. I will probably send it to them once I have a magnifier to check with. After I got it honed at a shop locally, it did shave better, but not great. The edge degraded swiftly after that, and I don't have the skills to keep it keen yet.

Splashone:
The local shop did make it better than it was before; they specialize in clippers and barber scissors, and will sharpen about anything else. For five bucks, I figured it was worth it to see if it would be any better.

BobH:
The seller did say it was "shave ready", but they sell mostly Gold Dollar and a few other low cost brands. One of the retailers in the "Network" is The Blades Grimm, who I understand doesn't have the best reputation. However, I understand that Tim Zowada is doing some consulting with them or Gold Dollar to improve things, so maybe it will get better?

Originally Posted by Euclid440

If the seller offered to re hone your Gold Dollar, send it back.

Some guys do actually know how to make them shave and it is pretty common for new guys to ruin an edge, by stropping with too much pressure or a contaminated strop.

You should buy a decent strop, there are several in the 50 dollar range, I would recommend a paddle strop to learn on using very lite pressure.

If you use heavy pressure or lift the spine, just 1 stroke, you can roll or break off the edge. This will irritate your skin.
Start with a known sharp razor.

I will be able to finally compare the edge once my new razor from Magpie comes in. It is certainly possible that I damaged the edge from improper stropping. I have started gathering materials to make my own paddle strop. Does anyone have experience using a hanging strop from a higher tie-off point? The only anchor point I have currently is at about shoulder height (call it 5 and a half feet), and it does feel awkward stropping at that angle.

Misread someone else’s post.

There are guys that specialize in honing Gold Dollars you can send it to them or learn to hone it yourself.

Some Gold Dollars will hone easily, some need repair, some will not hone at all, not many, which is why they are not recommended. Some that sell them honed, have already made the repairs for you.

The easier solution is to buy a quality razor as you have done and learn to maintain it.

Put a loop of Para Cord on your strop and loop it to your bathroom doorknob.

Part of your problem is probably stropping, most new stroppers use way too much pressure and roll the edge. Buy or make a paddle strop and use lite pressure to learn to strop and keep you shaving, or lay your strop flat on a counter.

Originally Posted by tseppish

I will be able to finally compare the edge once my new razor from Magpie comes in. It is certainly possible that I damaged the edge from improper stropping. I have started gathering materials to make my own paddle strop. Does anyone have experience using a hanging strop from a higher tie-off point? The only anchor point I have currently is at about shoulder height (call it 5 and a half feet), and it does feel awkward stropping at that angle.

I used to strop at this height, because that's what I had, it is certainly easier with a lower anchor point but once I was used to it it was much like anything else. However why put yourself in an awkward position for the sake of a cable tie or piece of string.
I would try a few different heights (using what is available) and try to find a good height, go round the house looking for tie off points, you will be surprised what you can come up with, then sort out a more permenant solution from there.

Originally Posted by tseppish

Euclid:
I bought it through Vintage Straight Razor, part of what they call "The Shaving Network", and it does come with a free honing. I will probably send it to them once I have a magnifier to check with. After I got it honed at a shop locally, it did shave better, but not great. The edge degraded swiftly after that, and I don't have the skills to keep it keen yet.

Splashone:
The local shop did make it better than it was before; they specialize in clippers and barber scissors, and will sharpen about anything else. For five bucks, I figured it was worth it to see if it would be any better.

BobH:
The seller did say it was "shave ready", but they sell mostly Gold Dollar and a few other low cost brands. One of the retailers in the "Network" is The Blades Grimm, who I understand doesn't have the best reputation. However, I understand that Tim Zowada is doing some consulting with them or Gold Dollar to improve things, so maybe it will get better?

OK, I was under the wrong assumption and you know what they say about making assumptions. So, if it was sold as "shave ready" either it wasn't or as a beginner you damaged the edge with poor stropping or shaving technique. The later is not unusual at all, did that quite a bit in the beginning also. If the seller will re-hone it for you I would get that done. When you get it back "shave ready" don't strop it, just use it to see what the edge feels like. That would eliminate bad stropping as a cause of edge damage.

I would still say not to use a shop that will sharpen anything. Honing a straight razor is a pretty specialized skill.

Bob

They were recommended by the local AOS store; not sure how much weight that carries since this particular store does not sell straights.
Your assumptions may be different from mine; my wife says I only make an ass out of U and Umption. Still not sure who Umption is, or how much I need to apologize to him!
I am planning on installing a simple ring onto the side of my counter to help get a proper angle while I work on stropping correctly. At least now I have a cheap practice razor that should be good for testing in between sessions. What would be a good test of the quality of a proper strop or hone, without risking my rakish good looks?

Just smooth leather or fine weave nylon.

Yea, their site says it was honed “Professionally” so it probably was.

I’m not familiar with them so cannot comment on their quality, but it is not uncommon for a novice to use too much pressure and roll or break the edge.

Use lite pressure when stropping, the goal is to polish the bevel and edge.

In general, you cannot trust the knowledge of someone at AOS and the ONLY way you can trust a sharpening shop to hone a straight razor is to ask them two questions:

1. Does the sharpener use a straight razor?
2. Will the sharpener be using any motorized device to sharpen the razor?

Unless the answer is yes to the first and no to the second, you need to leave immediately. Optionally, you can slap them and tell them to never, ever touch another straight razor.