Thread: New Razor and strop ordered!

I've been trying out my SR's lately and had some success, but none are professionally honed/Shave ready yet, so I am not sure if some of the troubles I have is from my edges themselves, techniques, etc. I prefer round point, but most of my razors are square point or smiling wedges. I've been looking to get a new strop to go with my Illinois 127 which has a "few" nicks in it from learning. I've wanted a Ralf Aust after reading the reviews, so I decided to go ahead and get one of SRD's RA 5/8" with the round tip and a Premier 1 SRD 3" wide strop. This will let me have a round point razor (hopefully less cuts from the tip on my fat face!), one with a truly shave ready edge and a new strop! Looking forward to trying it out!

I think it is a tough task to try to learn how to hone with out having a bench mark. I think Everyone needs at least one bench mark. I have several and I am always looking for another. You may want to try swapping edges with another member. Where you sharpen a blade and send it to someone, and you try each others edges, you can take it one step further and dull the edge and resharpen it and then send it back. A little report back and forth about the edges. It is a good learning experience, especially if you saw with someone more experienced. Pick someone close by as mail time can be brutal.

I ordered the same "kit" from SRD on 01-22-15 in the afternoon, after mail had been picked up. It was delivered to me this week on 01-27-15. Considering there was a weekend in the middle, I am pleased with the turn around/delivery time. You should have your items pretty quick. Enjoy

I am sure you know but remember when you get the new Pro honed edge
DO NOT strop it for your first shave - so you know how it should be in case you accidently dull it stropping
& remember to use a much Lighter touch when shaving than you have been, especially if you other blades are not fully honed up to scratch
enjoy the ne toys

Hoping it gets delivered today! Was supposed to be here 3 days ago, but the little snowstorm we had in New England hampered that.

Great Advice From SRP member Substance: When you receive your razor from SRD just shave. No chance of dulling the razor through improper stropping. Practice stropping after your first shave. Congratulations on your purchase from SRD.

Showed up yesterday finally! Cleaned off the razor blade and checked it out under my loupe; I wanted to see what a shave ready edge looks like! I noticed a difference between the razor honed by Lynn and mine and think I figured out why I am having difficulties. With Lynn's razor, I can tilt the razor under the loupe and not see any shiny line at the very edge at all going along the edge from any angle. On the razors that seem to work OK for me that I have sharpened, they have only a hint of a shiny line at some angles, but not others. Other razors have it more prominent and these are the ones that shave worse. So it looks like some of my bevels are almost set and others are not! Now I have an edge I can compare mine to under the loupe!!! Can't wait to shave with the SR from Lynn!!!

definitely helps to have a bench mark
any sign of a line is no bevel set for sure
hopefully your edges will improves immensely now you have a visual & practical standard to work to.

Really looking forward to my next SR shave and my next honing session now!

I just ordered a Ralf Aust 5/8 from SRD and had my first shave with it yesterday. It was awesome! I had been using a vintage "shave ready" razor for a couple weeks and found myself having trouble getting good shaves and making any real progress. It definitely helps to have a benchmark from Lynn. I now realize that my old razor needs a good honing. I probably dulled it while stropping. Oh well. I guess that's all part of being a newb. Good luck and I hope you enjoy your Aust as much as I do!