Thread: another new guy

Originally Posted by mparker762

But then so will stropping on a chrome-oxide paddle strop or the sunday funnies

I've not tried the Sunday un-funnies before perhaps there is a use for Doonesbury again.

If I messed up my Abrams honed blade by over stropping how do I correct this

I do not see how I could have done this but so far you guys are telling me that I did something wrong.

So now what do I do--send it back to vintagebladesllc? Have no one here in my town that can help me and I am not gonna be in the US as of Friday so any adive will be greatly appreciated

thanks

Originally Posted by raZor

If I messed up my Abrams honed blade by over stropping how do I correct this

I do not see how I could have done this but so far you guys are telling me that I did something wrong.

So now what do I do--send it back to vintagebladesllc? Have no one here in my town that can help me and I am not gonna be in the US as of Friday so any adive will be greatly appreciated

thanks

It's fairly common to dull an edge by stropping (I know I did that a few times when first learning). Too much pressure and the edge can get rolled.

Go back and read Honedright's instructions. Strop accordingly. Give it a good 30 strokes or so. If you have linen give 30 on the linen first and then 30 on the leather. Then do a test shave and see if it's getting better. Use light pressure when stropping and go slowly.

If the edge isn't dulled too bad, this can bring it back.

Let us know what happens.

thanks steve,

I will do as directed.

Someone here mentioned that their abrams pre honed razor shaves circles around their disposable straight---how's that?? I have a abrams prehoned razor and I was told nothing needed to be done just shave ready out of the lil blue tin can. But it was a horrible shave. So now people tell me to strop and still no good.

Well I am gonna shave today so I will be letting you guys know what the results were. .......30 on linen...30 on leather.....

Originally Posted by raZor

thanks steve,

I will do as directed.

Someone here mentioned that their abrams pre honed razor shaves circles around their disposable straight---how's that?? I have a abrams prehoned razor and I was told nothing needed to be done just shave ready out of the lil blue tin can. But it was a horrible shave. So now people tell me to strop and still no good.

Well I am gonna shave today so I will be letting you guys know what the results were. .......30 on linen...30 on leather.....

Lynn's honing is above dispute here but each face is different. Your's may require something else that what mine would in terms of honing. Generally, sharp is sharp. Is the razor cutting but it just feels rough to your face or is the razor not cutting at all. In other words, it might be plenty sharp but your face might need a smoother edge such as chromium oxide might produce. Let's start with the least aggressive first though.

Just keep practicing your stropping. And don't underestimate the importance of stropping for a good shave.

Stropping is an essential skill that every straight razor user needs to learn. Stropping should be applied before each use for optimal shaves.

Honing is also an essential skill, but only an occaisional requirement that doesn't necessarily have to be learned by everyone.

Also, it is almost impossible to strop too much. Generally 20-30 round trips will be sufficient. Don't worry about "over stropping."

Scott

well just did a shave and stropped the blade pretty good---honestly i think i did things right

I have not gone against the grain but got a nice shave nonetheless.

It sure is different than with the disposable straights.

Got a nice slice in my face too. But that's allright, just gotta get used to this new blade.

Hopefully I will get better and better with my stropping so that the blade will be nice and sharp.

Thanks for all you have helped out--especially steve

I was also wondering--I only have two Dovo blades should I switch every other day from the two or just stick to one??

IMO it helps to stick with just one until you get more comfortable with the shave (keep the variables to a minimum). After you've got things pretty well worked out rotating between the two can help you go longer before needing to touch them up on a pasted paddle or hone.

Ant

Originally Posted by raZor

well just did a shave and stropped the blade pretty good---honestly i think i did things right

I have not gone against the grain but got a nice shave nonetheless.

It sure is different than with the disposable straights.

Got a nice slice in my face too. But that's allright, just gotta get used to this new blade.

Hopefully I will get better and better with my stropping so that the blade will be nice and sharp.

Thanks for all you have helped out--especially steve

I was also wondering--I only have two Dovo blades should I switch every other day from the two or just stick to one??

Nicely done, RaZor. You're right that things are different between the two types of blades.

I've counted 8 cuts just on my chin area when learning and I will still cut myself sometime if I'm rushing or thinking about things other than shaving.

I only have 1 razor (for now) and I would agree with Ant, learn one razor. It will help to eliminate variables while learning.

As for going ATG, until you get comfortable, I would suggest just keeping it to a with the grain and, maybe, a cross grain pass.

PM me anytime.

thanks steve and thanks all you have given me advice.

no it is time for me to get back to playing "army" with the boys and girls of the red white and blue

nice place here--hope to come back in one piece---or at all for that matter

laterZ

raZor